Gay heads list of U.S. winners in Gateshead

GATESHEAD, England, Aug 31 (Reuters) - Sprinter Tyson Gay emerged from giant shadow cast by Usain Bolt to lead the United States' domination of the British Grand Prix on Monday.
Gay, 27, has trailed Bolt over recent months and the Olympic and world champion's decision not to compete in Gateshead ensured an easy win for the American in the 100 metres.

On a damp track and running into a headwind, he clocked 10.15 seconds.

"It's always nice to race without Usain, but he does bring the best out of me," Gay, who may have surgery on a groin problem, told reporters.

"It wasn't about times today, though, it was about winning a race. The wind was strong, so at about 60 metres I didn't want to push too hard.

"My injury is still there and I'll be seeing someone to help me out with it in a couple of weeks. Then I'll look to next year and another good season."

At this month's world athletics championships in Berlin, Gay ran the third-fastest 100 metres time ever (9.71 seconds) but was good enough only for second place behind Bolt's stunning world record of 9.58.

Gay decided against competing in the 200 metres, which left the way open for Shawn Crawford to triumph.

It was not easy for the 31-year-old, who beat fellow American Wallace Spearmon by one hundredth of a second in a time of 20.80 seconds.

"It was very close -- too close," said Crawford.

"My body feels good, but my mind now wants to go back to the U.S. and figure out a way to beat Bolt."

HAVING FUN

American LaShawn Merritt remains unbeaten this year after a straightforward victory in the men's 400 metres on Monday.

The Olympic and world champion, the fifth-fastest man ever over the distance, clocked 45.10 seconds to finish ahead of Britain's Martyn Rooney and American team mate Angelo Taylor.

"It's a little windy out there, so I was just having fun. Now all I have left is the world final, which should be a good end to a great season," Merritt told reporters.

It was equally easy in the long jump for another American, world champion Dwight Phillips, whose victory was never threatened after his second round leap of 8.39 metres.

"People will always try to beat the champion, but I can live with that. I can take the pressure," he said.

Compatriot Allyson Felix, world champion for the last three years at 200 metres, eased to a predictable success in 23.13 seconds.

Other American winners included Nick Symmonds (800 metres), David Payne (110 hurdles), Derek Miles (pole vault), Leonel Manzano (1500) and, in the women's events, Christin Wurth-Thomas (800) and Carmelita Jeter (100).

The home crowd witnessed only three British successes. Phillips Idowu won the triple jump, Lisa Dobriskey, a silver medallist in Berlin, produced a powerful finish to win the 1500 and Christine Ohuruogu held off Debbie Dunn in the 400.

Jamaica's Brigitte Foster-Hylton was another of the handful from outside the United States who shared the prize money winning the women's 100 hurdles.

Kenya dominated the women's 3000 metres with Vivian Cheruiyot winning ahead of training partners Linet Masai and Grace Kwamboka Momanyi.