Jones breezes past field to win 100 in New York

NEW YORK -- Marion Jones easily won the 100 meters at the Reebok Grand Prix yesterday, crossing the line in 11.06 seconds to raucous cheers at Icahn Stadium on Randalls Island.

The former Olympian beat a strong field that included world champion Lauryn Williams, top Jamaican Veronica Campbell, and 2003 world champ Torri Edwards.

Meanwhile, Meseret Defar of Ethiopia set the world record in the women's 5,000 in 14:24.53, breaking the mark of 14:24.68 set by Turkey's Elvan Abeylegesse in 2004. Running the final race of the night, Defar took command from the start and beat the field handily. Workitu Ayanu of Ethiopia was second in 14:50.51.

When Jones took her place in the blocks on a cool and breezy night, the crowd cheered her.

After a false start sent the runners back to the blocks, Jones took a deep breath and closed her eyes. She got off to a good start, and was way ahead by 60 meters, winning her third meet of the year since she started her comeback following an 11-month absence during which she battled injuries and doping allegations.

``It felt really good, it felt very good actually," Jones said. ``The conditions were not optimum. But this is only my third race and my confidence is growing with every single race. I'm getting better. A win is a win, and that's difficult anywhere on this circuit."

Campbell was second in 11.11. Williams was a disappointing fifth, finishing in 11.44.

In the men's 100, co-world record-holder Justin Gatlin also won easily, clocking 9.87.

But all eyes were on the 30-year-old Jones in her first race in the United States in more than a year. Jones has had a tumultuous journey. After winning five medals, including three gold, in the 2000 Sydney Olympics, Jones took 2003 off to have her son. She was shut out of medals at the 2004 Athens Games, failing to make the team in the 100. She tried to qualify for the US world championships team in 2005, but walked off the track before the 100 preliminaries with a hip injury.