Everything you need to know about the 2022 Pre Classic
World record attempts, champions racing head-to-head and Hayward Field, oh my!
After a two-year hiatus, the Prefontaine Classic is back in its fully glory. As the only Diamond League event North America, organizers held a smaller version after last year’s Olympics, but this year its back, in its usual time slot and starts today in Eugene, Ore. at the historic (and recently renovated) Hayward Field. Here’s everything you need to know about the event from the schedule to the live feed to Canadians to watch.
Schedule (all times in Pacific Time)
Friday:
7:30 p.m. – women’s 10,000m U.S. champs
8:15 p.m. – men’s 10,000m U.S. champs
8:55 p.m. – women’s two-mile (world record attempt)
9:12 p.m. – women’ 5,000m (world record attempt)
9:35 p.m. – men’s 5,000m (world record attempt)
Saturday:
12:29 p.m. – men’s 1,500m
12:41 p.m. – women’s para 100 meters T63
12:49 p.m. – men’s para 400 meters T62
1:04 p.m. – men’s 400 meter hurdles
Canadians to watch
Canada is well represented at this year’s Pre Classic. We have Will Paulson and Charles Philibert-Thiboutot in the Bowerman mile, Gabriela Debues-Stafford in the 1,500m, Mo Ahmed in the 5,000m and Andre De Grasse in the 1oom.
Paulson has only raced once outdoors so far this year, but he knocked it out of the park. He opened his season with a 3:33.97 in California in April. Philibert-Thiboutot has also performed well, running a 5,000m in 13:12.76 in early May. This will be his first middle-distance race of the season. Debues-Stafford will run her second 1,500m of the season. She opened up a month ago at the Sound Running Track Meet, winning her race in 4:03.
Rounding out the Canadians are Ahmed, in his first 5,000m of the outdoor season, and De Grasse in his third 100m of the season. De Grasse will face one of the strongest 100m fields assembled in years, even if Olympic champion Marcell Jacobs is out due to injury.
Full start lists can be found here.
World record attempts
Joshua Cheptegei is looking to lower his own 5,000m record. We will see a showdown between Francine Niyonsaba and Sifan Hassan in the women’s 2-mile, and finally, Letesenbet Gidey is hoping to lower her own 5,000m world record.
Live stream information
Canadians can catch all of the action on CBC Sports. Live coverage begins Saturday at 4 p.m. ET.
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