Five best photos from 50th Prefontaine Classic

The historic event featured two world records.

Faith Kipyegon set a world record in the women’s 1,500 meters. (Photo: Tim Healy)

Tim Healy is a long-time track and field photographer who shoots for JohnCanzano.com. He drew the assignment for the 50th Prefontaine Classic on Saturday at Hayward Field.

The event featured nearly 100 Olympic athletes and two world record performances. I asked Healy to work the event, and provide what he deemed as his “Top Five” photos from the meet.

Here are his top five photos with commentary:

No. 1 — “Take it on Faith” (Faith Kipyegon)

It starts with Faith Kipyegon, arguably the best middle-distance runner on the planet. Kipyegon is the reigning Olympic Gold medalist in the 1,500 meters in Rio, Tokyo, and Paris, and smashed her world record on Saturday with a huge final 200 meters.

The Kenyan middle-distance star reset her own world record in the women’s 1,500-meter, posting a 3:48.68 to beat her previous mark (3:49.04).

Healy on the photo: “I like the pure joy on her face and surprise, but I don’t think any of the 12,606 in the stadium were surprised, especially after her attempt at breaking four-minute barrier on June 26th… watching her run is a treat, pure strength and power and guts, sounds and feels like Pre.”

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No. 2 — “Mondo and the poles” — (Armand Duplantis)

Healy on the photo: “I like to look for a portrait or a calm moment in sports, here the world record holder and unbeatable legend Armand Duplantis ‘Mondo’ is sitting and waiting for his turn in the competition. I was at the far end near the pit, and I could see his face through the rack of poles. I waited until he turned to look at the athlete running to their attempt, using the poles to create an out-of-focus color pattern since he would be the only thing in focus.”

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No. 3 — “All Smiles”(Janee Kassanavoid)

Healy on the photo: “It’s not an action photo, but what I truly love about track and field is how the athletes interact with their fans, especially the young kids. In the photo, a young girl gets an autograph from hammer thrower Janee Kassanavoid immediately after the competition. There is no better town than Eugene for track and field. People say the venue is hard to get to and flights are difficult to find, but I challenge you to find a community that pulls out all the stops to support track better. There are street banners, hotels decorated with Prefontaine Classic logos, community runs, kids races on the track prior to the meet, and on meet day, there was a line at 7 a.m. to purchase the limited-edition custom Pre Nikes.”

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No. 4 — “At the Line” — (Yared Nuguse)

Healy on the photo: “The Men’s Bowerman mile has always been one of the premier events at the Pre Classic. This year was no different. Notre Dame alum Yared Nuguse, the American record holder in the men’s mile and Olympic bronze medalist from Paris, took the pace out hard. He pushed all the way to the line to just get out-leaned on the final steps by the 20-year-old Niels Laros of the Netherlands (3:45.94 to 3:45.95). The race produced 13 racers who ran under 3:50.”

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No. 5 — “Flip for Eugene” — (Austin Miller)

Healy on the photo: “Pole vaulter Austin Miller was waiting to jump when the public address system began to play ‘Shout’ as if it were a Duck football game. I was kneeling and waiting for Miller to make his attempt, and he was dancing and laughing and said to his competitors, ‘This is so great.’

“He missed on his final attempt but performed a backflip to thank the crowd. In sports photography, you’re encouraged to shoot through the competition to catch reaction. This one was fun for sure.”

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