Big run by 'Ver'

EUGENE, Oregon (AP):

Veronica Campbell-Brown raced to a world-leading time to win the 100 metres at the sixth IAAF Diamond League meet in Eugene, Oregon, yesterday.

The fleet-footed Jamaican clocked a personal best 10.78 seconds, also a meet record, as she came home ahead of compatriot Shelly-Ann Fraser, who crossed the line in an impressive season-best 10.82, and American Carmelita Jeter, who was third in 10.83. Another Jamaican, Sherone Simpson, was sixth in 11.14.

There was one other second-place finish for Jamaica at the meet as Kaliese Spencer clocked 53.78 seconds behind American Lashinda Demus, 53.03, in the women's 400 metres hurdles.

Shericka Williams, a season-best 50.31, and Novlene Williams, 51.11, were third and seventh, respectively, in the women's 400 metres, won in 50.27 by American Allyson Felix. Amantle Montsho of Botswana was second in 50.30.

In the high-profile men's 200 metres American Walter Dix spoiled Tyson Gay's return, winning in 19.72 seconds, edging Gay by 0.04 seconds.

Gay has not competed since May because of a hamstring injury.

"It's not bad for a first race," Gay said.

Bolt, the world-record holder in the 100m and 200m, did not compete at yesterday's meet.

Dix was coming off a victory in the 100m last week in the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Des Moines, Iowa, where he finished second to Wallace Spearmon in the 200m.

Earlier this year, Dix ran the 200 in 19.86 seconds at a Diamond League meet in Rome.

"Glad I got the competition against Tyson and came out victorious," Dix said.

Straight track record

Gay last ran in May in Manchester, England, when he put up a 19.41 in a straight-track 200. His effort was a record on the straight track, but it is not recognised as an official world mark because track and field's governing body only recognises the 200 run around a curve.

Gay swept the 100 and 200 at the 2007 world championships and owns the American record in the 100, but in recent years he has been dogged by injuries and surpassed by Bolt.

Gay has long maintained that he can better Bolt. Both sprinters were supposed to meet last month at the Adidas Grand Prix in New York but sat out because of injuries. Right now, a date for a possible showdown is uncertain.

American Ryan Bailey finished third in the 200 in 20.17.

David Oliver won the men's 110 hurdles in 12.90 seconds, matching the American record set by Dominique Arnold in Lausanne in 2006.