by Alfonz Juck
Pat Tiernan, photo by PhotoRun.netAustralian Tiernan 27:29.81 WL
PALO ALTO (USA, May 5): Great distance races at Payton Jordan Invitational on Friday night. Men and women 10 000 m and men 5000 m winners achieved new World leading marks. Top four in men 10k went sub 27:40 with Australian Patrick Tiernan winning in 27:29.81 (his 2nd race at the distance) ahead of Canadian Mo Ahmed 27:30.00, Kenyan Shadrack Kipchirchir 27:32.18 (top 3 life-time bests) and Hassan Mead 27:34.38. In 7th Luis Ostos new NR for Peru 27:53.58 and top European Briton Andy Vernon as 9th 27:58.69. Canadian Justyn Knight topped the 5k in 13:17.51 just edging Australian Sam McEntee 13:17.55, for both PB´s as also for 3rd Gabriel Geay of Tanzania 13:20.35. NCAA star Edward Cheserek fourth in 13:24.72. In women 10k Swedish record for Meraf Bahta 31:13.06 over Amy Cragg 31:17.20 and Goytetom Gebreslase 31:25.61. From four to seven personal bests for Emily Sisson 31:32.53 ahead of Japanese Yuka Takashima 31:33.33, Kim Conley 31:35.88 and Australian Madeline Hills 31:41.10. Dutch European Champion Sifan Hassan won the 5000 m in 15:13.15 clearly over Japanese Riko Matsuzaki 15:19.91 and Lauren Paquette 15:20.48. Briton Rosie Clarke won women steeple 9:36.75 PB, Norway´s Karoline Bjerkeli Grovdal 4:10.74 in the 1500 m, Chrishuna Williams 2:02.58 in the 800 m and Eric Jenkins 3:38.30 in men 1500 m.
