Jones Runs Year’s Second-Fastest 100

JALAPA, Mexico – After an 11-month absence from the track, former Olympic champion Marion Jones made an impressive return to competition.

Jones ran the second-fastest women’s 100 meters of this young season while winning a race Saturday night at the Gala Banamex Veracruz 2006. Her time of 11.06 seconds was .02 off the fastest time of the season, set in mid-April by Allyson Felix.

Jones led a U.S. sweep of the race. Torri Edwards was second in 11.30 and Laverne Jones was third in 11.48.

The 31-year-old Jones has had a difficult past year. In addition to the injuries that kept her out of competition, she continues to be surrounded by doping allegations in connection with the BALCO scandal. Also, her former boyfriend and former coach have been charged in an alleged bank fraud and money laundering scheme.

Former boyfriend Tim Montgomery, the father of Jones’ young son, has pleaded not guilty and is free on $150,000 bail. Also charged is Steve Riddick, the former coach of Jones and Montgomery.

Jones, who won three golds and five medals overall at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, has a personal best of 10.65 in the 100. She finished a disappointing fourth in last year’s Gala Banamex with a time of 11.4.