Germany’s Thomas Rohler sets Hayward Field record
EUGENE – One of the largest crowds to ever witness a free “Friday night at Pre”, estimated at 7,500 by meet directors, showed up at historic Hayward Field to witness some impressive performances on the field and track. Although, there were no World Records or even World leading marks set, three German javelin throwers did rewrite the Hayward Field and Prefontaine Classic record books in the men’s javelin competition.
Johannes Vetter had two throws that beat the old Hayward Field record (289-11 and 293-1) to hold the lead early in the men’s javelin competition, but countryman Thomas Rohler unleashed the winner, 294-10, in round four to unseat Vetter from the record books. Fellow German Andreas Hofmann made it a clean sweep finishing in 3rd place with a toss of 283-7, also farther than the old Hayward field record. Another highlight of the evening was 18-year-old Selemon Barega of Ethiopia running a blistering 54.8 final lap to win a slow 2-Mile race (8:20.01). The pack didn’t run with the pacesetters in the opening half of the 2-Mile race, leading to slow finishing times.
Prefontaine Classic Results/Start Lists
Keep reading for Friday night event recaps and story from the Press Conference earlier in the day with quotes from former Oregon Ducks Matthew Centrowitz and Phyllis Francis about their last time competing at this version of Hayward Field.
