byLarry Eder
Rupp running with Bekele in his AR race, Brussels 2011 (26:48.00),
photo by PhotoRun.net
EUGENE (USA): US long distance star Galen Rupp has already set two national records this year, and with good conditions, his own US 10 000 m best of 26:48.00 could be in jeopardy at the Prefontaine Classic on Friday night. Rupp, a 27-year-old native from nearby Portland, has asked for a fast pace on a track where he has won at a high school, collegiate, and professional level. Rupp will be racing against a world class field that includes Kenya’s 23-year-old Paul Tanui, the bronze medallist from last year’s IAAF World Championships in Moscow. Bedan Karoki is another 23-year-old Kenyan with great Pre Classic memories. Kenneth Kipkemoi and Emmanuel Bett are two more world class Kenyans in the field.
A slew of young talent is led by Ethiopia’s 2012 IAAF World Junior Championships winner Yigrem Demelash, who is just 20. Eritrea’s Goitom Kifle, seventh in the last year’s World Cross Country Championships is the same age and you can also add into the mix 19-year-old Birhan Nebebew, from Ethiopia, who was fifth in last year’s Pre Classic.
(Editor’s note: Galen Rupp is obviously fit. His 13:01 said it all in February. His 13:19 in 85 degree weather at Oxy showed he is fit. The Pre Classic 10,000m is one of the most exclusive races in the world. Probably best 10,000m this year outside of Van Damme Memorial 10,000m (if they all show up). If winds are not bad, look for Galen Rupp to run around 26:45.)
