by Justin Lagat
The women’s 10,000m is being held today, July 16, 2022. The 25 lappers will be held at 12:20 P.M. local time! Thanks to Justin Lagat for this preview.
Some of the big names in the women’s 10,000m final at the morning session of Day 2 include the Netherlands’ Sifan Hassan, Kenya’s Hellen Obiri, Ethiopia’s Letesenbet Gidey, and Great Britain’s Eilish McColgan.
At the Tokyo Olympic Games last year, Hassan -who has a personal best time of 29:06.82 for the 10,000m event- managed a treble feat winning medals in the 1500m (bronze), the 5000m (gold), and the 10,000m (gold). This time, she is dropping the 1500m event and beginning her quest to win two titles in the remaining two events. However, the defending champion, who is currently ranked as the best in the world, has not yet featured in any big race this year that could help predict her current form.
The other runner on the start list with a personal best time of under 30 minutes is Gidey, who is the fastest on paper with her amazing world record time of 29:01.03. Currently ranked 2nd behind Hassan on the World Athletics ranking, Gidey, who holds world records in the 5000m, 10,000m, 15km, and half marathon, was beaten to second by her fellow teammate and rising star Ejgayehu Taye in the 5000m event at the Eugene diamond league event. Gidey also finished second to McColgan at the 10,000m event in Hengelo, and the two runners who have beaten her this year will both be at the starting line.
With a world-leading time and beating Gidey in her last 10,000m race this year, McColgan is no longer a fluke in this race. The European record holder, who graduated from Dundee University with a degree in Maths and Accountancy, made some good calculations and surprised most of the pre-race favorites in Hengelo to run a world-leading time of 30:19.02. This puts her on the list of the main contenders in Oregon.
While Hassan will be hoping to defend her 10,000m title and prevent Hellen Obiri from defending her title in the 5000m event; Obiri has precisely the same plans for her; to defend her 5000m title and prevent Hassan from defending her 10,000m title. Obiri is a great fighter when it comes to championship races and it will be interesting to see how this 10,000m race will unfold.
