Dibaba runs fastest-ever 2 miles indoors

Associated Press

BIRMINGHAM, England (AP) — Genzebe Dibaba produced her third record performance of the month on Saturday, with the Ethiopian racing the fastest two miles at the Birmingham Grand Prix.

Dibaba eased over the line in 9 minutes, 0.48 seconds indoors in central England, more than 20 seconds ahead of her rivals to break compatriot Meseret Defar's world-best mark from 2009 by almost six seconds. The IAAF said it wasn't a world record as there are no official records for two miles.

"In the middle of the race I felt a bit weak and tired, but with the help of the crowd and all the buzzing I was able to gain momentum and get the record," Dibaba said on the IAAF website.

Dibaba has already broken the indoor 1,500 and 3,000-meter world records this month as she prepares for the world indoor championships next month in Sopot, Poland.

"I'm hoping to win a gold again at the world indoors, that's the plan," Dibaba said. "I have a 1500m gold from last time, so this time I want the 3000m."

British sprinter James Dasaolu will be hoping he is fit for the championships after appearing to injure himself while upstaging Nesta Carter of Jamaica to win the 60 meters.

Dasaolu left the Birmingham track on a wheelchair with an ice pack on his left hamstring.

"My left leg felt tight at about 40-50 meters," he said, "I think it's cramp, but I'll go and see the doctors and see what they say."

It is a potential blow for Dasaolu, who won his heat in 6.47 seconds - the fastest time this year, before winning the final in 6.50 seconds. That was 0.03 seconds ahead of Carter, while Kim Collins of St. Kitts and Nevis was third followed by British sprinter Dwain Chambers.

The women's race saw double Olympic 100-meter champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce of Jamaica having to settle for second place for the second year in Birmingham as Murielle Ahoure of the United States emerged victorious.

In the men's 800, world champion Mohammed Aman broke the Ethiopian indoor record in 1.44.53 seconds, while Pascal Martinot-Lagard of France won the 60 hurdles in 7.55, Erik Kynard of the United States cleared 2.34 meters to win the high jump, and Aleksandr Menkov leapt furthest in the long jump — 8.14 meters.