byLarry Eder
Well, Mo Farah‘s summer of personal bests is continuing! Winning the 5,000 meters and 10,000 meters at last month’s European Championships, Mo ran his best 5,000 meters in Gateshead, a fine 13:05.66, moving him to second on the all time UK list, behind one
David Moorcroft. Another race would be needed to change the name at 5,000 meters on
the British all time lists.
On Friday, August 13, 2010, Mo Farah, fresh, so to speak from his double at the Euro’s wasn’t expected to do much more than jog around for 3,000 meters. Instead, Farah ran a hard fought second place, 7:40.75, to Bernard Lagat at the AVIVA London Grand Prix. This observer would have been happy seeing the guy still breathing after Barcelona, but to see him race a strong tactical race, and thrill 20,000 British track fans, well, that showed that Mo Farah had something left in the tank after the Euro’s. That would prove to be an understatement.
Dave Moorcroft set the current British record by breaking the world record for 5,000 meters, at the DN Galan Games, on July 7, 1982. He was so far ahead at one time, many in the field thought that he was a rabbit or pacemaker. But, Moorcroft was a man possessed, just look at the video on You Tube; pushing, pushing, 62 seconds a lap, Moorcroft broke Henry Rono‘s WR by 5.79 seconds, running 13:00.41! His WR held for three plus years, and his British record stood until today, August 19, 2010. For you non-math majors, that means Moorcroft hold the British record for 28 years, 43 days.
In a brutally fast race, where the best of the best were forcing the pace, Mo Farah bid his time, and charged down the final stretch, taking fifth in a field of superstars. The race was won by Tariku Bekele in 12:55.03. Imane Merga was second, in 12:56.34, and Chris Solinsky was third in 12:56.45. Edwin Soi ran 12;57.77, just holding off Mo Farah, who ran his first sub 13 minutes 5,000 meters, in 12:58.91.
Per K. Ken Nakamura, one of our sport’s true geeks (er, statisticians), Mo’s run was the 79th time that 13 minutes had been broken for 5,000 meters.
It was also a magical mark for Farah. Per UK Endurance mentor Ian Stewart, 1972 bronze medalist at 5,000 meters, Euro and Commonwealth Champ, Moorcrofts’ record had been a goal for Mo for the past two years. A hard fought race, a well deserved time, and the breaking of a record. Surely, David Moorcroft, former UK Athletics head, would be proud.
The road to London 2012 will be full of check points. For Mo Farah, he has passed a successful checkpoint.
