Three Wins In a Row for Martinez, Lowers UCR Record Again

Big West 800m champ Brenda Martinez has won the first 3 of her 6 European races this summer.

Courtesy UC Riverside Athletics

UC Riverside two-time All-American Brenda Martinez used another late kick to make it three wins in a row in her six-meet European tour winning the 800m in Brasschaat, Belgium in 2:00.86 which betters the UCR record she set less than two weeks ago by .17 seconds (watch the race). It is the sixth fastest time by an American so far this year in the 800m.

It was just five days ago that Martinez broke the school record in the 1500m winning her race in Ghent, Belgium (watch the race) by running a 4:09.52 - four seconds faster than her previous best (watch Martinez's interview after the race). Her time is the 10th fastest time run by an American this year in the 1500m.

Less than two weeks ago, the Rancho Cucamonga junior ran what was then a UCR record 2:01.03 winning the the 800m in Liege, Belgium (watch the race). In doing so she bested Geena Gall (the 2008 and 2009 NCAA 800m Champion) and Alysia Johnson (the 2007 NCAA 800m Champion) (watch Martinez's interview after the race).

Martinez is competing in six events over four weeks in Europe. Four of the meets are in Belgium and two are in Germany. The Rancho Cucamonga junior will run the 800m, 1500m and mile at various times during her tour.

Brenda Martinez' European Schedule