European 800m champion Lynsey Sharp (Edinburgh AC) excelled at the 32nd Madrid Grand Prix International with a confidence-boosting win ahead of the Commonwealth Games and the European Championships.
Sharp dominated a class field, pushing the opening 400m in 56.9 seconds. With 300m to go, the 24-year old athlete surged again and, rounding the final bend clear of the opposition, came home in her second ever fastest time of 1 minute 59.72 seconds.
USA runners Charlene Lipsey (2:00.91) and LaTavia Thomas (2:00.95) placed second and third respectively. Jemma Simpson (GB) placed 7th in 2:02.54.
Ahead of Glasgow, Sharp’s time is her second clocking under the two minute barrier, having recorded 1:59.67 at the Lausanne Diamond League on July 3.
She said: “I’m super happy with the win and the time in Madrid! The solo last 300m hurt but it’s on to the next stop 2014 Glasgow.”
Kaliese Spencer took the women’s 400m hurdles in 55.08 seconds. This season’s world leader was fresh from a commanding win at the Diamond League in Monaco (54.09).
The Jamaican said: “I’m now heading to the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow where my primary goal will be to set a new career best (52.79).
Athletes also took the opportunity to get in race practice prior to Glasgow at the Loughborough LEAP Meeting. Second fastest ever UK 200m athlete Adam Gemili (Blackheath) recorded a sprint double of 100m (10.20) and 200m (20.53).
World champion Christine Ohuruogu (Newham EB), however, could only place third in the 400m (51.66), edged out by Commonwealth Nigerian rivals Folosade Abugan (51.21) and Patience Ogun George who shared the 51.66 time.
Jamie Bowie (Inverness) selected for the Scottish 4 x 400m relay squad won the 400m B race in 46.18 seconds.
Ahead of her Glasgow 1500m appearance Hannah England (Oxford) won the women’s 800m in 2:00.50. Runner-up Marilyn Okoro (Shaftesbury Barnet) recorded 2:01.77 ahead of Stewartry’s Katy Brown in third 2:03.22. Fife AC’s Jenny Tan finished fifth, clocking her second ever fastest time of 2:04.11.
Centrals AC’s Andrew Butchart won the 5,000m in a personal best 13 minutes 58.05 seconds.