2008 Prefontaine Classic Preview!

Sunday June 8, 2008
NBC, Live, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Pacific Time

The women’s 100 will again be the race to watch at Pre. Who will win without Veronica Campbell-Brown in the mix? The race is loaded with Lauryn Williams, Allyson Felix, veteran runners Kerron Stewart of Jamaica and Torri Edwards. The always vibrant Carmelita Jeter placed is a baby’s breath away from putting the picture perfect race together. Muna Lee of Jamaica is fearless competitor that will be in the middle of this race.

The men’s 200 feature two men who will be battling for a spot on the U.S. Olympic team. Xavier “X Man” Carter vs. Wallace Spearmon will go down on Sunday.

Predictions are old hat—unless of course you own the world record. Can Kenenisa Bekele break his 10,000 world record as he predicted? The loaded field will contend every step of this race.

Alan Webb has been located in good health and rested. He is back on the scene at 1,500-meters and will face stiff competition from Daniel K. Komen of Kenya.

The women’s 800 may be the changing of the guard. This will be the last two lap dash for legend Maria Mutola of Mozambique. Mutola has announced her retirement which is effective at the end of this season. This will be one of the last races American fans will get to watch Maria because unlike boxer, it’s doubtful she will come out of retirement. She has won the Preclassic a record breaking 15 consecutive races. High school phenom Chanelle Price is set to run the race after putting down a sizzing 2:02.38.

The men’s 800 will feature rivals Nick Symmonds and Khadevis Robinson. But look out for Yusuf Kamel (Bahrain) and newcomer to the scene Matt Scherer who is running on his home turn.

These two just can’t enough of each other. Bernard Lagat of the U.S. and Craig Mottram of New Zealand will meet in the two mile.

A second Ethiopian will try to break a world record June 8 at the Nike Prefontaine Classic. Meseret Defar will attempt to break her world 5,000-meter mark in a race to be held immediately after countryman Kenenisa Bekele goes after his world 10,000 record, meet officials said Wednesday.

By Jay Hicks.