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By Jonathan Gault
February 24, 2019
World meeting Athing Mu.
If you do not know the phenomenon of Trenton, New Jersey, before this weekend, we will not blame you. Two days ago, Mu, a Trenton Central High School student competing for the Trenton Track Club, was an elite high school runner. Today, it is a phenomenon in its own right after putting 1: 23.57 to get Raevyn Rogers win the women's 600 meters at the 2019 USATF Indoor Championships.
For those who do not know exactly what 1: 23.57 600 means, let us enlighten you.
Athing Mu is written in the history books. (Photo by Phil Bond)
It was a personal best of 2.66 seconds.
– It was an American high school record – also 2.66 seconds, because Mu had broken the previous record in yesterday's prelims.
It was an American record in theaters. Yes, the American record SENIOR, previously held at Alysia Montaño at 1: 23.59.
It was the second fastest time ever recorded in theaters. By any woman. Only Russia Olga Kotlyarovaat 1: 23.44, has already run faster.
Oh, and did we mention that Athing Mu is 16 years old?
As if the weather was not incredible enough, Mu did it by running a totally fearless race. She held the lead over 200 meters (25.99) and after briefly giving up the lead to Olivia Baker, went to the front again halfway and would never have gone.
Not that she is not challenged. Raevyn RogersThe five-time NCAA 800 champion and last year's US finalist inside and out, was in a position to knock on the bell and attempted to double Mu in the back straight. But Mu was just too good for her. She beat Rogers ahead of the final corner, taking the win with a final lap in 28.55 seconds, one second faster than anyone on the field.
Fast setting: What a remarkable performance
American record Athing Mu
What Mu did this weekend is not unprecedented, but it puts her very elite company. Mary Decker set the world indoor record of 2: 01.8 in 800 to 15 years in 1974, while Mary Cain was the US indoor mile champion at the age of 16 in 2013 (Cain was 16 years old and 304 days old, versus 16 years old and 261 days old for Mu). When you're a high school student compared to Mary Decker and Mary Cain, you know you're doing something very special.
The craziest thing about his performance this weekend could be Mu's progress. In her first 600 games of the season on Jan. 18, she ran in 1: 28.54. She then ran 1: 27.36 to Millrose on February 9th. At that time, one would think she would not have much more room for improvement since the high school record was 1: 27.13 per Sammy Watson – who ran this time as a senior after winning the gold medal at the World Juniors of 800 the previous summer.
Mu proved that this idea was wrong by crushing the high school record with his time of 1: 26.23 yesterday. But to public relations again – almost three seconds – in the final? Really ridiculous.
Interviews with Mu and his coach Al Jennings below:
Quick Shot: Let's try to put 1: 23.57 in perspective
Since the 600 is used so rarely, it's hard to say exactly what a particular time is worth. So, why not look at other women on the list of all the indoor times and what they did in the year they ran?
| first name | Time | Date of execution | What she did this year |
| Olga Kotlyarova (RUS) | 1: 23.44 | 02/01/04 | Ran 49.77 / 1: 57.96 on the outside |
| Athing Mu (USA) | 1: 23,57 | 2/24/19 | ??? |
| Alysia Montaño (USA) | 1: 23.59 | 02/16/13 | Ran 1: 57.75 on the outside, bronze at the Worlds |
| Ajee 'Wilson (USA) | 1: 23.84 (A) | 05/03/17 | Ran 1: 55.61 on the outside, bronze at the Worlds |
| Courtney Okolo (United States) | 1: 24.00 (A) | 05/03/17 | RUN 50.29 OUTSIDE, 3rd at the DL Finals |
| Yuliya Rusanova (RUS) | 1: 24.02 | 02/06/11 | Ran 1: 56.99, 8th at the Worlds (later eliminated for doping) |
Courtesy List Athletics News
For more perspective, Sower SowerThe outdoor world record is 1: 21.77. She ran it in 2017, two weeks after racing in 1: 55.16 to win the Worlds. Mu's time is only 1.80 seconds on the outer WR of Semenya.
That's not to say that Mu will run 1:57 this year on the outside, but it also means that some pretty significant achievements – less than 2:00, allowing the World Championship team – to play we are can not wait to see what she will do next.
Interview with Raevyn Rogers, finalist
Discuss Mu's incredible performance on the LetsRun.com message board:
MB: American record Athing Mu
MB: Athing Mu: 23.63 200, 52.45 400, 2: 03.98 800 inside, 4: 34.51 1500
MB: OMG, Athing Mu !!
MB: Athing Mu appreciation thread
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