Yomi Omogbeja (05/06/2005)

Mozambique's Maria Lurdes Mutola won the 800 metres for the 13th consecutive time at the 31st annual Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon.

Mutola, 32, arguably the greatest women's 800m runner in history, crossed the finish line in 1:59.95.

Jamaican Kenia Sinclair and Namibian Samaria Namibia were second and third in 2:00.15 and 2:00.64 respectively.

The 2000 Olympic Champion and three-time outdoor World Champion is gradually getting to shape after a disastrous fourth place finish at the Athens Olympic Games, the first time she has finished out of the medals in a major global championship since 1995.

Mutola had lost only once at the Prefontaine classic before - in 1991 when she was shoved on the final turn during the 1500 metres in her inaugural meet as an 18-year-old Springfield High senior.

She was born in Chamanculo, a poor shanty town in the suburbs of the Mozambican capital, Maputo, on 27 October 1972.

Kipchoge record

Kipchoge won the men’s two mile in 8:07.68 in an American All-Comers record in his first U.S. appearance while pulling Webb to an American record 8:11.48.

The 20-year-old found inspiration in the rhythmic clapping of the crowd of more than 10,000, running in the final three laps alone.

Kipchoge said: "I appreciate the crowd. I wouldn’t have run this time if it weren’t for them.

"It’s a feeling that I can’t describe. It’s been a wonderful experience in the U.S. It’s been fantastic."

Alex Kipchirchir of Kenya upstaged Kenyan-born American Bernard Lagat Moroccan Rachid Ramzi in a fast finish to win the Bowerman Mile in 3:50.91. Ramzi and Lagat finished second and third in 3:51.33 and 3:51.53 respectively.

The classic meet was named after American distance runner Steve Prefontaine, who died in 1975 at age 24.