It’s been a bit of a bumpy season for Christian Coleman. World record indoors, injury trouble outdoors. Diamond League wins and late scratches. But the one constant has been his start. 

His first 60 meters was spectacular once again on Saturday, providing him just enough of advantage to hold off a late-charging Reece Prescod at the Birmingham Diamond League. Both men were timed at 9.94. 

Midway through the race, it looked like Coleman would cruise to victory. His explosion out of the blocks and his acceleration was by far the best in the field. Then, Prescod began to gain ground. 

By the time they reached the finish line, Prescod had erased most of Coleman’s lead. But not all of it. After a brief delay to check the photo finish, Coleman was declared the victor--his second Diamond League win of the year and a strong response after withdrawing from the London Diamond League meet last month with an injury. 9.94 marks the second personal best in as many weeks for Prescod, who hadn’t broken 10 seconds before his silver medal run at the European Championships. 

Like Prescod, Noah Lyles made his patented late-race push. He closed the gap significantly on Coleman, but had to settle for third in 9.98. Yohan Blake ran 9.99 for fourth and Zharnel Hughes rounded out the top five with a time of 10.05.

Shaunae Miller-Uibo took the 200m in a much-anticipated race against the ascendent Dina Asher-Smith. Miller-Uibo was a stride behind coming off the curve, but powered down the homestretch to pass both Asher-Smith and Dafne Schippers to win in 22.15. 

Schippers, who appeared that she might be able to steal victory, faded in the final 50 meters. Asher-Smith got up for second in 22.31 and Schippers took third in 22.41. Jenna Prandini and Gabrielle Thomas took fifth and sixth, running 22.58 and 22.85, respectively. Both women will advance to the Diamond League final in two weeks. 

Shaunae Miller-Uibo blasts down the homestretch to take the 200m in a meet record of 22.15. Dina Asher-Smith second in 22.31. #BirminghamDL pic.twitter.com/qyEOySXX5F

— FloTrack (@FloTrack) August 18, 2018

Korir Breaks 1:43 Again, McSweyn’s Dream 2018 Continues

Emmanuel Korir’s signature head bob was in full effect in the men’s 800m. The 23-year-old ran a 1:42.79, the third fastest time of the year and the second-best mark of his career to continue his dominance in the event. 

After a first 400m in 50.2 by the rabbit Bram Som, Korir stuck behind fellow Kenyan Jonathan Kitilit. He tracked Kitilit around the final curve and didn’t move to pass until the last 75 meters. But when Korir went, the move was definitive. His lead grew with every stride as his head bounced mechanically, trying to keep pace with his legs.

Meet record and 3rd fastest time of 2018 for Emmanuel Korir in the men's 800m--1:42.79 #BirminghamDL pic.twitter.com/QjVUXT5AUy

— FloTrack (@FloTrack) August 18, 2018

Kitilit ran 1:43.53 and 1500m star Elijah Manangoi dropped a personal best of 1:44.15 to finish in third. Clayton Murphy put himself near the front in the early stages of the race, but faded over the final 400 meters, crossing the line last in 1:47.60. Erik Sowinski took eighth in 1:45.68.

Stewart McSweyn continued his breakout 2018 in the men’s mile. The Aussie ran 3:54.60, his third lifetime best of the season, to kick away from his countryman Ryan Gregson. Gregson ran 3:55.10 for second in a race that was difficult to predict until the very end. 

Youssof Hiss Bachir was the only runner to follow the rabbit--running the first 400m in 56.10 and the second lap in 57.67. Those splits gave him a sizeable lead and it wasn’t until Paul Chelimo took charge of the chase pack with 800 meters remaining, that the rest of field begin to gain on Hiss Bachir. With 350 meters, Hiss Bachir was enveloped by the pack. McSweyn and Gregson moved in front of Chelimo and were in the top two positions with 100 meters remaining. Gregson held the lead until McSweyn shifted gears and easily moved past him.

Stewart McSweyn runs 3:54.60 to lead an Australia 1-2 in the men's mile. Ryan Gregson takes second in 3:55.10 #BirminghamDL pic.twitter.com/lv7LtVeJwc

— FloTrack (@FloTrack) August 18, 2018

Chelimo made a strong run for third--his mark of 3:55.96 was an improvement of more than two seconds on his lifetime best. Nick Willis took fifth in 3:56.77. American Drew Hunter was tenth with a 3:58.62.

Hassan Takes The 1500m, Muir Misses British Record

In the women’s 1500m, Sifan Hassan rolled through the field for a comfortable win. After opening laps of 63 and 65 seconds, Hassan sat behind Ethiopian Gudaf Tsegay. In the last lap, Hassan had no equals and took the race in 4:00.60 ahead of Tsegay’s 4:01.03. Kate Grace of the U.S. was eighth in 4:04.64, while Brenda Martinez was the last across the line in 4:12.90.

Comfortable and in command. Sifan Hassan takes 1500 in 4:00.60 pic.twitter.com/8kxK6Bqg36

— FloTrack (@FloTrack) August 18, 2018

Laura Muir came up short in her attempt to set the British record in the 1000m. Muir, who won the European Championships 1500m last week, posted a 2:33.92, missing Kelly Holmes’ record of 2:32.55. Renelle Lamote took second in 2:34.48, while Colleen Quigley ran 2:36.53 for fifth. 

Outside of the men’s mile, the biggest surprise came in the women’s 3000m. Pre-race favorite Hellen Obiri didn’t have enough to stick with the pace on the final lap and was beaten by Agnes Tirop and Lilian Rengurek. Tirop ran the last 400m in just under 62 seconds to win in 8:32.21 while Rengurek posted a 8:33.43. Obiri had to settle for third in 8:36.26. 

Soufiane El Bakkali was a late scratch in the men’s steeplechase, taking away one of the key players. But the world leaders absence was replaced by a dramatic finish. Benjamin Kigen was leading heading into the final water jump, but stumbled on the landing. The mishap sent him into the hard-charging Conseslus Kipruto. 

Both men managed to stay on their feet, but Kigen lost significant ground. Kipruto, who looked to still be reeling from the incident, was momentarily overtaken by Chala Bayo. On command, Kipruto responded, countering Beyo’s move and putting the race away in a matter of strides to take the win in 8:14.33. Beyo took second in 8:14.61, while Kigen faded to fifth. 

Eventful last 200 meters in the steeplechase as Benjamin Kigen stumbles off the water jump and collides with Conseslus Kipruto. Kipruto recovers and takes the win in 8:14. Kigen falls to fifth. pic.twitter.com/9370AeEvlA

— FloTrack (@FloTrack) August 18, 2018

Christian Taylor was the surprise leader through 300 meters in the men’s 400m before the trio of Fred Kerley, Matthew Hudson-Smith and Paul Dedewo passed the triple jumper in the homestretch. Kerley eked out a narrow win, running 45.54 to Hudson-Smith’s 45.59. Dedewo took fourth in 45.62 and Taylor posted a 45.78. 

Orlando Ortega won the men’s 110m hurdles in a season-best of 13.08. Ronald Levy was a distant second in 13.22 and European champion Pascal Martinot-Lagarde took third in 13.27. 

In the field events, Luvo Manyonga jumped 8.53m in the fourth round of the long jump. The mark was just off his season-best of 8.58m and enough to win the competition. Sandi Morris’ 4.62m clearance took her to victory in the pole vault. The German dominance continued in the men’s javelin where Andreas Hofmann won with a throw of 89.82m.