British middle-distance runners are among the entries for the big event on February 2 in the United States
This time last year Georgia Bell was scrambling to get into international indoor races. Twelve months later and with an Olympic 1500m bronze medal on her list of achievements, she has been invited to take on a top-class 3000m field in the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix in Boston on February 2.
Jess Hull, the Australian who finished just ahead of her at the Paris Olympics, is among her rivals in Boston. As well as winning Olympic silver last year, Hull set a world 2000m record of 5:19.70 and set Australian records at 1500m, the mile and 3000m indoors.
They may not have it all their own way in Boston, though, as Parker Valby, the multiple NCAA champion, is also among the entries. After studying at the University of Florida, Valby has now settled in Boston where she trains with a group under coach Mark Coogan.
Further signings for the Boston event next month include Noah Lyles and Marcell Jacobs, the last two Olympic 100m winners, going head to head in the men’s 60m.
Rai Benjamin, the Olympic 400m hurdles champion, will run the 300m against, among others, fellow American Vernon Norwood. In the sprint hurdles, Grant Holloway is set to lead the way. In a meeting packed with Olympic champions, Julien Alfred heads the women’s 60m entries.
Jake Wightman, the 2022 world 1500m champion, continues his winter season by tackling the men’s 1500m with Grant Fisher, the US record-holder from 3000m to 10,000m, among his rivals.
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