THE athletics world reacted with shock last
weekend as former track and field man
Marquise Goodwin won $1million for out-
sprinting Donte Jackson at the inaugural
“40 Yards of Gold” NFL sprint in Miami.
Goodwin, who plays wide receiver for
San Francisco 49ers, has a long jump best
of 8.45m and won the 2008 world junior title.
Steve Magness, the sports scientist and
author, was among those commenting
on social media when he said: “Marquise
Goodwin won a million dollars for beating a
bunch of other football guys in a 40yd dash.
How can no one in track figure out how to
market guys who would make Goodwin
look slow? Track vs NFL 40yd dash?”
Athletics writer Jonathan Gault added:
“Prize money for the entire 2019 Diamond
League circuit: $8 million. Prize money for
a 40-yard dash between NFL players that
didn’t even have a clock: $1million.”Morpeth Harrier says huge 3000m PB at Pre
Classic points to major improvement at 5000m
@ATHLETICSWEEKLY
LAURA WEIGHTMAN believes
her 8:26.07 3000m at the Pre
Classic last Sunday – a time
that propelled her to No.2 on the
UK all-time rankings behind
Paula Radcliffe – shows she
is capable of breaking the
15-minute barrier for 5000m.
“I was really nervous for the
race because all I’ve done for
the past six months is train,
train, train,” she told AW. “But
when the gun went I felt strong
and the nerves went away.
“I’ve got some 1500s and
a 5000m coming up so I can
take this confidence into those,
knowing I’m in good shape to
be competitive.
“Hopefully this 3000m
translates to a big 5000m PB. I
think I can target a sub-15min
mark and put down a good
benchmark.”
But first, Weightman’s next
competition is over one mile at
the Monaco Diamond League
on July 12.Weightman enjoys
best season start
Goodwin takes $1m prize
GARY MITCHELLMAINE GRAVINAMarquise Goodwin:
$1 million richerLaura Weightman:
the only Briton to
have run faster
over 3000m is
Paula RadcliffeMARK SHEARMANHighgate sees the light
RUNNERS at Saturday’s Night of
the 10,000m PBs will be paced by
special lights that move around
the inside of the track.
The ‘WaveLight Technology’
comes from The Netherlands
and is being used in the UK for the
first time thanks to sponsorship
from footwear brand On.
Event director Ben Pochee said:
“The WaveLight technology willenable us to add another level of
spectator engagement and help
bring to life the full story of each
race.”
The meeting incorporates the
European Cup 10,000m and British
trials for Doha (preview, p42-43).■ See athleticsweekly.com
for an Alice Wright interview
ahead of her Highgate debutWavelight Technology runs along the inside of the track and flashes at
different speeds to dictate a race’s pace