by Larry Eder
Ben True, BAA 5k, April 19, 2014, photo by PhotoRun.net
Superb running with 4 World leads
The women’s 5000m played out in a similar fashion. Twenty-one year old Sifan Hassan –who represented Ethiopia until last November but now runs for the Netherlands– won an all-out last-lap sprint 14:59.23 WL and national U23 record against another former African, Meraf Bahta of Sweden (originally from Eritrea) 14:59.49 NR. Behind them, both Katie Mackey (15:04.74) and Laura Thweatt (15:04.98) set big personal bests, as did Britain’s Emelia Gorecka in fifth place (15:07.45) and Stanford’s Aisling Cuffe (15:11.13).
Sally Kipyego, Payton Jordan, 2011, photo by PhotoRun.net
In the women’s 10,000m, there were also world-leading mark. Kenya’s Sally Kipyego, also part of the Oregon Track Club Elite, made a largely solo run to win in 30:42.26. American Molly Huddle trailed Kipyego through the entire race, but keyed off of her and clocked a personal best 30:47.59, making her the second-fastest American of all-time behind Shalane Flanagan. Finishing third was former Iowa State star Kenyan Betsy Saina, who also clocked a career best time of 30:57.30.
Molly Huddle, photo by PhotoRun.net
The other world-leading time came in the men’s steeplechase, where Olympian Billy Nelson –now sporting a full beard– clocked 8:28.49.
In the men’s 10 000 m Mexican Olympian Juan Luis Barrios, who dusted the field in the last 200 meters won in 27:34.40. Canadian Olympian Cam Levins got second (27:36.00), followed by Belgium’s Bashir Abdi (27:36.40 PB). Italian Daniele Meucci ended up fourth in 27:36.53 and last under 27:40 was Kenyan Shadrack Kipchirchir 27:36.79 PB.
In other middle and long distance events, Middle Tennessee State’s Kenyan Eliud Rutto recorded the fastest time in the men’s 800 m 1:45.37 PB. Canada’s Karine Belleau-Beliveau had the fastest women’s time in the two-lap race: 2:01.46.
The top sections of the 1500m were won by Kate Grace in 4:07.35 and Riley Masters in 3:38.42 ahead of European champion Henrik Ingebrigtsen 3:38.53.
Shalaya Kipp of the University of Colorado won the women’s steeplechase in 9:39.12.
