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Published: June 26th 2017
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Geo: 44.069, -123.082
It was back to the track on Thursday morning for more action.It was qualifying in the Men's Pole Vault and our Aussie boy did well getting through to the final.We also watched heats of the 200m for both men and women and semifinals of the Men's 400m hurdles and heats for the women. Bryce Collins missed out on the final in the men's and Ella Solin made it through to the next round in the women's.
At lunch time we found Glenwood, a restaurant recommended by Peter not far from the track. There we sat outside in a lovely garden setting and ordered while watching the squirrels and birds passing by. The food was fairly ordinary but we got talking to a Canadian couple at the next table. Their daughter had run in the hurdles that morning and they came from near Niagara. Lovely people. There was also a family at another table who had a tiny baby. I had noticed her rather broad Australian accent and she turned out to be from Melbourne but now living in Eugene with her American partner.
Back to the track in the evening after a short rest at home and it was exciting to
watch the Women's Pole Vault. Nina Kennedy did two PBs to be in the top 4 at 4-40m. She just missed out on a medal as the other three cleared 4-45, the bronze medal going to a Kiwi. The main excitement for the night was in the 800m. We had two girls in it and it was a great race. Georgia Wassall ran superbly coming in for third behind two Kenyans. Georgia Griffith finished fourth. A good future ahead for those girls! Then it was back to The Wild Duck for a couple of drinks before heading home.
On Friday it was more of the same. In the morning session Cassie Purdon jumped a PB of 1-85 to qualify for the final while Nicole McDermott missed out, clearing 1-82.We had a great viewing spot for the High Jump, in the IAAF Lounge right next to the track and the jumping area. Matt Mahon joined us there. For lunch it was off to another cafe recommended by Peter, the Agate Alley Bistro. Very nice looking place. Their clam chowder was excellent but our main courses were not what we were expecting. I ordered ravioli and Fletcher, gnocchi. When they came the ravioli
was large triangles looking more like lasagne while Fletcher's gnocchi was one very large roll of pasta. It was OK but not quite what we thought we were having.
The evening session was again worth seeing. We managed to get our table in the Lounge right next to the start and near the High Jump fan. We watched Joel Baden in the High Jump. He cleared 2-17 but four others jumped 2-22. None of them made it over 2-24 but the Russian won on a count back. It was an interesting comp though. We saw Georgia get her bronze medal and watch the USA win both 200s and the women's 400m.Our girls just missed out on a spot in the relay final while the boys made it through. The British teams both dropped the baton in the relays as did the French women so that made it easier. Peter certainly got teased over that.The Men's 5000m final finished the night and then it was back to our haunt for drinks. I was talking to a great guy from California who coaches his track team but is also an English teacher. Absorbing conversation.
Tomorrow and Sunday there are only afternoon sessions so a
sleep in and rest is on the agenda. Really enjoying it though.
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