Agnes third in the US

NAMIBIA’S middle distance runner Agnes Samaria came third in the 800-metre race at the Prefontaine Classic in Oregon, United States on Sunday.

The Namibian clocked 2 minutes 64 seconds, with Mozambique’s Maria Mutola storming home in first place in 1 minute, 59,95 seconds. Jamaica’s Kenia Sinclair was second in 2 minutes, 15 seconds.In an e-mail from the US, Samaria said: “It could have been a great race but I guess all happens with a purpose.My race was not the race I would have loved to have but hey, I sure worked very hard to make it to the top three but I think there was no need if I had positioned myself well from the moment go.”After we cut in, I tripped against Maria and then slowed down because the runners from the outside lanes were cutting in sharply, so I ended up being boxed in all the way to the 500m.Then, with 300m to go, I started accelerating and worked hard on the back straight, within this space that is when the Americans fall down, and I then caught up with Maria and ran along her side up until 80m.She started to kick, I must admit that I do not have that kick otherwise number two would not have caught up with me because she came from behind.Not a bad time for my first outdoor race of the year.”She said Margo Jennings, her coach, was not impressed with her race strategy – she wanted Samaria to win or come second, because her training times said it all.”I am currently contemplating to travel to Johannesburg and train a few weeks with Maria Mutola before starting the European season.Maria asked me to join her and, as we have the same coach, it would be great,” Samaria said.Jamaica’s Kenia Sinclair was second in 2 minutes, 15 seconds.In an e-mail from the US, Samaria said: “It could have been a great race but I guess all happens with a purpose.My race was not the race I would have loved to have but hey, I sure worked very hard to make it to the top three but I think there was no need if I had positioned myself well from the moment go.”After we cut in, I tripped against Maria and then slowed down because the runners from the outside lanes were cutting in sharply, so I ended up being boxed in all the way to the 500m.Then, with 300m to go, I started accelerating and worked hard on the back straight, within this space that is when the Americans fall down, and I then caught up with Maria and ran along her side up until 80m.She started to kick, I must admit that I do not have that kick otherwise number two would not have caught up with me because she came from behind.Not a bad time for my first outdoor race of the year.”She said Margo Jennings, her coach, was not impressed with her race strategy – she wanted Samaria to win or come second, because her training times said it all.”I am currently contemplating to travel to Johannesburg and train a few weeks with Maria Mutola before starting the European season.Maria asked me to join her and, as we have the same coach, it would be great,” Samaria said.