by Larry Eder
Asbel Kiprop, 2011 WC 1,500m gold medalist, (heats shown here), photo by PhotoRun.net
Well, the 1,500 meters for men lived up to its reputation, and this was a singularly beautiful bit of racing! Asbel Kiprop took the gold in 3:35.69, Silas Kipligat took the silver in 3:35.92 and Matt Centrowitz of the US took the bronze, in 3:36.08, the first US medal in 1,500m since Jim Spivey’s bronze in 1987 (before that, Steve Scott , silver in 1983).
Here is how we saw it:
Nick Willis, 2011 WC 1,500m, photo by PhotoRun.net
Nick Willis continued to lead, in 2:01.71 for 800 meters, with Centrowitz right there. Asbel Kiprop and Silas Kiplagat went by, with Manuel Olmedo, Abdalaati Iguider of Morrocco and Mohammed Moustaqui of Morroco. Willis started falling back and Centrowitz dropped to sixth.
About 350 meters the race really took off as Silas Kiplagat lead at 1,200 meters in 2:57.01.
Matt Centrowitz, 2011 WC 1,500m, bronze, photo by PhotoRun.net
Kiplagat lead, with Kiprop going by, and Olmedo, Iguider and Moustaqui right there. The pace quickened as the field came around the final turn and Matt Centrowitz, who was moving well, went to the outside and began his long kick down the final straight.
Asbel Kiprop continued to move away, taking the gold and defending his title in 3:35.69. Silas Kiplagat made it 1,2 for Kenya, as he took the silver in 3:35.92.
As Manuel Olhmedo of Spain, Abadalaati Iguider of Morocco and Mohammed Moustaqui of Morocco started to lock up, Matt Centrowitz went right by them, running for that bronze medal, which he attained. Running 3:36.08 to Ohlmedo’s 3;36.33 and Iguider’s 3:36.56, Centrowitz became the first US male 1,500 meter runner to medal since Jim Spivey took bronze in 1987. Before that? Steve Scott’s silver from 1983!
The final splits were amazing: 38.9 for the last 300 meters, 50.5 for the last 400 meters, 1:46.8 for the last 800 meters!
Gary Morgan caught up with Matt Centrowitz and Nick Willis after the race.
Centrowitz noted, on his race: “Tough race tactics. Jenny, she set the tone for me. They went so hard at 350 to go, I knew someone was coming back and I started catching them. My support system is fantastic, with my coaching, trainers, my family and my friends, it is why I have done really well. Indoor was not great, but I kept looking forward. My dad was watching my semis and I talked to him, my best friends were watching, even though it was early in the morning. Seeing Jenny doing it gave me confidence! Being consistent is the key. I am doing a fifth year at Oregon. I am planning on going home. No more time trials in Europe. Did not have any set goals and it was a little easier than I thought.”
Nick Willis: “I am be having a hydration or lactic acid problems. I am very critical of athletes who run early but who do not do well in the championships. I will get back to top form, I know I will. I had third fastest time going in, Matt is doing great as a college kid, which I was doing when I was in college. That is what I did in Beijing. Hats off to the Kenyans!”
What a race! And it was a race. The pace was decent and the kicking decided the difference between some real championship runners. Kenya did great, and we should also note how well that Matt Centrowitz, the US runner, who has the presence of mind to actually race at the end of a 1,500 meters. What a concept. Matt Centrowitz, Jr. is the real thing. No doubt in my mind.
We have seen the future of American distance running, and at the 1,500 meters, one has to give some respect to Matt Centrowitz, Jr.
