The Week of January 30, 2023

Photo of Kaela Edwards (foreground), Lilac Grand Prix 800m by Howard Lao

From the Department of Records and Clocks

Written by Intern 29.00

Kaela Edwards is fit right now.

This is an assessment from her recent results, having not spoken to her directly about her training. She very well could not be, relative to her potential… who’s to say when someone is at the top of their game and when they’re still climbing, it’s never really known until after the fact… and there are different kinds of fitness, as the sports scientists will tell you. But! a deeper look at her impressive win in the 800m at the Lilac Grand Prix might prompt you to consider her in a friendly wager in the race dare I say against Ajee Wilson at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix this weekend.

Edwards as noted by Shannon Rowbury on the broadcast ran her 2:01.27 opener with 200m splits of 29.5, 30.3, 30.9, and 30.5. Her slowest 200m was only 1.4 seconds slower than her fastest, but even more impressively, only .6 slower than her overall average and her final 200m circuit was not her slowest, which as Shannon said: “is pretty tough to do in an 800m” and a sign of strength at this point in the season. Much of the time secured in that final 200m was chopped in the final stretch, as it appeared Edwards left a fair amount in the tank to ensure she could fend off any late attacks. 2:01.27 is also the 33rd fastest ever by an American indoors. The fastest ever- 1:58.29 was run in 2020 by… Ajee Wilson.

The women’s 800m might be the most competitive distance in the world right now. It certainly is up there amongst the top 3. In 2022, 44 women ran under the world standard of 1:59.8, compared to 30 men under the standard of 1:44.7. In the men’s 1500m, a distance seeing historic parity as well as fast times, only 23 men ran under the standard of 3:34.20. Due to the depth of talent in the women’s 2 lap event, there are women in the United States alone who are medal threats but may not make the team to compete for hardware in the World Champs in Budapest, like when US 100m hurdler, Keni Harrison, who broke the world record in the event in 2016 did not make the top 3 at the Olympic Trials and therefore did not compete for Olympic gold because of it. The Olympic Final that year shown on the screen with a graphic displaying the fastest time in the world, run by a woman who was not in the race (she ran the second fastest time ever prior to the Olympics and broke the World Record after the Olympics). That’s the game.

The beginnings of this golden era of women’s 800m running were seen in the summer of 2021, when Athing Mu burst onto the scene and the ‘Big 3’: Mu, Wilson and Raevyn Rogers secured the spots representing Team USA in Tokyo. Many thought a Red, White and Blue sweep was possible. Gold and Bronze were attained. That year, 2016 Olympian, Kate Grace placed 7th in the Olympic Trials in 1:59.17, only to go on a tear through Europe, rattling off 4 1:57 races, 6 top 3 finishes in some of the world’s most competitive meets, and claiming runner-up honors in the Diamond League Final. Arguably one of the best summers of an 800m runner in American history, run by an athlete who did not make the Olympic team for her own country.

The beauty of the sport is that we can celebrate fast times and savvy displays of racing achieved at early season meets because they are filled with promise. They are components of what it takes to win on the world stage. We can take that time posted on a board and dissect it, pluck it off and turn it over in the light, look at every split to see how it could be reproduced or improved upon as a response to tougher competition when its maestro is placed on the biggest stage under the brightest lights.

So, place your tokens where you want with your friendly wagers, Ajee Wilson started her season with a win in the 1000m last weekend against Sage Hurta-Klecker. There are few more experienced with a better track record on the boards throughout history than Wilson, the woman who took Athing Mu to the line at last year’s USA Championship race and was born and raced in the land of indoor tracks out east, but nobody knows the future, and if someone on Twitter tells you your dumb for picking the athlete you picked, just wait. It is never resolved on the app, always on the track.

And if the name you’re thinking isn’t mentioned in the pre race talk, say it. Give them their cred.

New Balance Indoor Grand Prix
Boston, MA
4-6pm EST
Showing on NBC