Sam Tanner preps for Paris Olympics with second place finish at British Milers Club meet in London...


In London Wednesday night, former Washington Husky Sam Tanner (Paul Merca photo) ran in his first race in over four months when he won the New Zealand national title in March, when he finished second at the British Milers Club Record Breaker meet at Tooting Bec.

Tanner, who was the defending champion, finished second in a season best 3:35.52, as Ireland's Nick Griggs took the win in 3:35.04.

After the pacesetter stepped off the track past the 800 meter mark, Tanner, who was a semifinalist at this distance at last year's world championships in Budapest, tucked into third place, moving towards the front at the kilometer mark. He took the lead with 300 meters to go, passing Stanford alum Sean McGorty of the Nike Bowerman TC, going past 1200 in about 2:53.

Tanner appeared to have control of the race entering the homestretch, but Griggs swung to the outside and passed him with about 40 meters remaining to take the victory.

Courtesy of media partner RunnerSpace.com, here's video of the race:


Washington alum Jack Rowe was in the field, but dropped out.


NEWS AND NOTES...

As a follow up to Tuesday's post, the USATF Foundation awarded another 60 athletes with elite development grants to assist with training, coaching and travel expenses.

Among those who received the grant of $15000 were Henry Wynne of the Brooks Beasts, and recent University of Washington graduate Joe Waskom.

Waskom was one of a small group of recent college graduates who received the grant to assist in making the transition from the collegiate to the professional side of the sport.


Upon her return from the Olympics, Pasco HS graduate Marisa Howard will start her new position as an assistant track and cross country coach at her alma mater, Boise State University.

"I'm excited to invest in this next generation of Broncos and see what we can build. I loved being a Bronco and can't wait to show these athletes what a great place Boise is to train," said Howard in a press release from the school.


NOTE: The British Milers Club, the USATF Foundation, and the sports information office at Boise State contributed to this report.

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