Penn Relays 2013: USA vs. the World Recap

A large crowd of 48,871 people visited University of Pennsylvania’s Franklin Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on Saturday to attend the historic Penn Relays track and field carnival. This year marked the 119th year of the Penn Relays and the 14th edition of the USA vs. the World showdown at Penn Relays.

Here’s a quick recap of the highlights from the professional races.

Men’s Distance Medley Relay This race turned out to be an all-African battle between the undisputed titans of distance running – Kenyans and Ethiopians. After the final exchange to the mile anchor leg, Team USA’s David Torrence held the early lead. The gap was quickly erased when the Ethiopian and Kenyan anchors closed in.

Down the last 100 meters, Ethiopia’s Aman Wote pulled away from Kenya’s Caleb Ndiku to take the win over Kenya, 9:16.34 to 9:17.03.

The splits? (1200 meters, 400 meters, 800 meters, 1600 meters)

Ethiopia: Aisinet Abiyot (2:53.5), Bereket Desta (46.0), Mohammed Aman (1:44.0), Aman Wote (3:52.8)

Kenya: Anthony Chemut (2:51.6), Kennedy KipKosgei Chepsiror (47.1), Timothy Kitum (1:45.4), Caleb Ndiku (3:52.9)

Women’s 4×100 The short sprint relay was close through three legs, but Jeneba Tarmoh absolutely was no match for two-time Olympic 100-meter champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce. In order to compete, team USA really needed Carmelita Jeter who was out with an injury. The Jamaican women cruised home for the gold.

Team Jamaica (Sherone Simpson, Kerron Stewart, Anneisha, McLaughlin, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce) won in 42.42. Team USA blue (Mandy White, Alexandria Anderson, Barbara Pierre, Porscha Lucas) came in second in 42.65. Team USA red (Tianna Bartoletta, Allyson Felix, Bianca Knight, and Jeneba Tarmoh) fell to third in 42.66.

Men’s 4×100 The Jamaican team was missing its superstars: 100- and 200-meter world record holder Usain Bolt and fellow countrymen Yohan Blake and Asafa Powell. So there is no surprise that the fully stacked USA team won over the defending world champions.

Team USA (Mike Rodgers, Justin Gatlin, Doc Patton, Ryan Bailey) won in 38.26, with the team Jamaica (Nesta Carter, Dexter Lee, Rasheed Dwyer, Jason Young) second in 38.65.

Women’s 4×400 It was a gamble for team USA to run without 200-meter Olympic gold medalist Allyson Felix and 400-meter Olympic gold medalist Sanya Richards, who’s rehabbing from a toe injury – but they eked out a win… barely.

The race, a nailbiter, came down to the anchors from USA and Great Britain. In the end, Francena McCorory had just enough to hold off a strong charge from Perri Shakes-Drayton. Though I can’t help but wonder what Christine Ohuruogu might have done on that anchor…

USA took first in 3:22.66. Jessica Beard (51.5), Natasha Hastings (49.9), Dee Dee Trotter (51.0), Francena McCorory (50.3).

Following in a photo-finish second was Great Britain in 3:22.68. Emily Child (51.6), Shana Cox (50.4), Christine Ohuruogu (50.4), Perri Shakes-Drayton (50.3).

Jamaica took third in 3:24.11. Sherika Williams (51.9), Novlene Williams Mills (50.0), Christine Day (51.0), Kaliese Spencer (51.2).

Nigeria represented for West Africa placing fifth in 3:28.65. Adebukola Abogunloko (52.4), Ajoke Odumosu (52.8), Regina George (49.5), Idara Otu (54.0).

Men’s 4×400 Team USA held off a late challenge by Jamaica to win in 3:00.91, to Jamaica’s 3:01.15.

USA: Torrin Lawrence (45.6), Manteo Mitchell (44.8), Bershawn Jackson (45.7), Tony McQuay (44.8).

Jamaica: Allodin Fothergill (46.2), Riker Hylton (45.6), Leford Green (45.0), Errol Nolan (44.3).

Team Bahamas came in third in 3:02.23. Ramon Miller (47.4), Michael Mathieu (45.0), Chris Brown (45.4), Stephen Newbold (44.4).

Team Kenya came in seventh in a little over 3:07. Alphas Kishoiyan (46.6), Vincent Koskei (47.0), Newtown Rotich (46.6), Boniface Mweresa (47.1).

Women’s 4×800 Rarely do pro track athletes get together to run a 4×800 relay, so it only makes sense that when the USA team did run the race, it would shatter its existing American record of 8:17.91, set in 2009 by the Tennessee lady volunteers college team.

Team USA did just that, winning in 8:04.31. Lea Wallace (2:02.0), Brenda Martinez (2:00.6), Ajee Wilson (2:03.1), Alysia Montano (1:58.6).

Team Kenya had a strong showing at the meet, finishing in second in 8:07.58. Winny Chebet (2:02.1), Eunice Sum (2:01.2), Hellen Obiri (2:02.8), Janeth Jepkosgei (2:01.5).