Eugene.
As a reporter at the World Championships in Athletics in the United States, you don’t just write: The race for reporters at Hayward Field is hot.
that Hayward Field There is a magical place in Eugene for athletics fans. in the stadium University of Oregon Legends of the sport were honoured, with hosts there selecting participants for the World Championships and the Olympics in a tough preliminary round. This is where America’s heart beatsexercise, A place of passion, a place of tradition.
instead of pain. Hayward field for me as I turn in the last 150 meters of the race. This is the moment when the final reserves are mobilized, the magic of the stadium becomes secondary, the sound of your own heartbeat beats the noise of the environment and all you have is your eye on the runner in front of you. This is the moment you ask yourself: Why did I do this to myself?
Suddenly unpack your spikes first
So I was in this great stadium a little while later, with 120 journalists from all over the world. Ready for two fun rounds. Then the first untied his spikes. At least now it was clear: this is nothing but a funny incident.
it’s bouncing like the pros
The seventh run was mine, 17 men started. Next to me, some old Walter from Bolivia, the friendly-looking Japanese Yusuke and the amateur racing driver Eric from Holland – clearly in the ranks of fun runners. But also Jason from the United States, Daniel from Jamaica and Andrea from Italy – people with spikes on their feet.
The starting gun is fired, soon everyone is pushing for the inside alley, elbows flying, people pushing like pros before a accordion spreads out. When I have the last 150 meters ahead, Daniels of Jamaica has already crossed the finish line. In the end, Swiss Guillaume would win the general classification in 1:54.62 minutes. As for the classification: Germany’s World Cup starter Mark Reuther was just four seconds faster here. At the end we were still waiting for Walter, who had finished his lap at jogging pace and happily waved to the grandstand over the last few metres. He was definitely having fun.
