Almaz Ayana, photo by PhotoRun.net
10 000 m World Leads by Ethiopians
HENGELO (NED, Jun 29): World leads highlighted the special Ethiopian 10 000 m trials in Hengelo organised by Global Sports Communication of Jos Hermens. Almaz Ayana won in 30:07.00, what is not only top mark 2016 but also 8th best of all-time. It was also her debut at the distance on the track. Second Gelete Burka 30:28.47 PB and third Olympic winner Tirunesh Dibaba 30:28.53. This are top 3 times by Ethiopians for Olympic selection. Fast times also for 4th Netsanet Gudeta 30:36.75 PB, 5th Genet Yalew 30:37.38 PB, 6th Senbere Teferi 30:40.59 in debut, 7th Belaynesh Oljira 30:50.25, 8th Ababel Yeshaneh 30:54.12 and 9th Goytotom Gebrslease 31:14.52 PB. In 12th position Elizeba Cherono of Netherlands 32:15.53 PB and 13th Nazaret Weldu national record for Eritrea 32:58.28. Also in men race Yigrem Demelash clocked World lead and PB 26:51.11 beating Tamirat Tola 26:57.45 and Abadi Embaye 26:57.88 debut. They are now top 3 Ethiopians by time for Olympic selection. Fourth Belay Tilahun 27:11.83 PB ahead of Adugna Takele 27:20.65 and Leul Gebresilase 27:26.69. Top 11 went under 28 minutes. Among non finishers Ibrahim Jeilan and Yenew Alamirew with Imane Merga and Kenenisa Bekele.
Larry Eder opines: Almaz Ayana is coming into her own. After 8:23.11, 14.12.59 and now, 30:07.00, I doubt if any athlete in the world can complete with her over the 5000 meters to 10,000 meters. Nice to see Tirunesh Dibaba in shape once again. Yigrem Demelash ran 26:51.11 for the world leader. Big question is, can one
