The biggest priority for favorites in the first round of an 800 meters on the world's biggest stage is to avoid trouble. A game of bumper cars can always break out at the wrong time.
Former UTEP runner and current El Pasoan Emmanuel Korir was in a slow enough heat in his first round at the World Athletics Championship to avoid that issue Wednesday. Former UTEP runner Jonah Koech and Midland native Bryce Hoppel were not that fortunate and their dreams died at the first possible moment.
Koech, a native Kenyan who now represents the US, appeared to win his game of bumper cars after barreling through a box with 150 meters to go and finishing second in his heat (three automatically advance).