Coburn, Simpson Lead U.S. To DMR World Record
January 29, 2017 | Track and Field
BOSTON -- In a meet that saw six world leads set, it was the women's distance medley relay that reigned supreme. Bettering the world record that was set two years ago at this meet, 2016 Olympians Emma Coburn (Crested Butte, Colorado), Sydney McLaughlin (Dunellen, New Jersey), Brenda Martinez (Rancho Cucamonga, California) and Jenny Simpson (Oviedo, Florida) teamed up to break the DMR world record at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix in 10:40.31.
Coburn got things started for Team USA, handing off the baton to McLaughlin ahead of the team from Europe, with the Olympic bronze medalist splitting 3:18.40 on the 1200m leg. With a bit of ground to make up to get the team back on pace, McLaughlin cruised through her 400m leg and shaved a second off the gap between Team USA's pace and the record, coming through in 52.32.
Martinez ran a masterful third leg to put the U.S. back within world record contention, storming through her 800m leg in 2:01.94 to give Simpson a two second cushion with just the 1600m leg remaining. Simpson kept a calculation going in her head throughout her time on the track, ticking off the seconds and making sure she could hold on the lead Martinez gave her. With the crowd on its feet, Simpson sprinted through the bell lap and pointed triumphantly at the clock as she crossed in 10:40.31, a 4:27.66 1600m split, to better the previous record of 10:42.57.
The 2017 New Balance Indoor Grand Prix is available on demand on USATF.TV +PLUS starting at 4 p.m. ET on Sunday, January 29.