2-Mile World Record highlights night with something for everyone

BOSTON (Jan. 26) – A World Record by Meseret Defar, the fastest indoor 3000 meters ever run in the US, and a stirring anchor leg by a tiny 7-year-old were among the highlights at the Reebok Boston Indoor Games tonight, which hosted an enthusiastic sell-out crowd for the sixth-consecutive year at the rollicking Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center.

In addition to the 2-Mile World Record by Defar and all-comer’s record by Mottram, three national records were set. That brings the total number of records in the 13-year history of the event to six World Records, nine American Records and 17 other national records.

“I’m not running today 100 percent,” said Defar afterward, explaining that she could have run even harder despite destroying the previous record, which was also set on this track. It was a statement at which Kim Smith, Defar’s closest rival, shook her head in wonder: Smith had just run the second-fastest indoor 2 Mile in history, a New Zealand national record, 9:13.94, to the Ethiopian’s 9:10.50.

“It was a pity Meseret was there or I could have claimed it myself,” quipped the Providence-based Smith, when asked about the record. “I knew I was in good shape.” Smith finished fifth at 10,000 meters at the 2007 World Championships.