The current star of the middle distances is just 18 years old, comes from Kenya and goes by the name of Pamela Jelimo. Last week she ran a sensational 800m world junior record in Hengelo (1:55.76), and has now improved that mark by more than three-quarters of a second with a 1:54.99 at the DKB-ISTAF meeting in Berlin’s Olympic stadium. In addition to being a world junior record, that is also an African record, meet record and the fastest time in the world this year.
Over 67,000 spectators in torrid temperatures of close to 90 degrees witnessed the ninth-fastest women’s 800m run of all time. With her mark, Jelimo moved to sixth on the all-time performers’ list in the event. In the first five 800m races of her career—the Kenyan was previously a sprinter and also ran 400m—she has already left the legendary Maria Mutola (Mozambique) trailing on the world all-time list. The multiple world champion was the African record holder with 1:55.19 until Sunday. Another great 800m runner had set the previous Berlin meet record of 1:56.56: Ana Fidelia Quirot (Cuba) had held this record since 1987!
The Russian pacemaker Tatyana Andrianova reached 400m in 55.46. Straight afterwards Pamela Jelimo went into the lead and stormed away. If she hadn’t clearly slowed as she neared the finish, she could have been still closer to the legendary world record of Jarmila Kratochvilova (Czech Republic/1:53.28), which has stood for 25 years. Yuliya Krevsun (Ukraine) in second place was almost four seconds adrift of Jelimo in 1:58.98. The world champion in Osaka, Janeth Jepkosgei (Kenya) was third and equally helpless. “The time is fantastic, but I had prepared well. Now I’m going to prepare for the Olympics in Kenya,” said Jelimo, who will go to Beijing as the favorite for the gold.
The debut meeting of the AF Golden League series also produced a top-class 5000m men’s race despite the hot weather. The decisive stage of the race turned into a three-way contest among Moses Masai (Kenya), Tariku Bekele (Ethiopia) and Moses Kipsiro (Uganda). On his 22nd birthday, Masai led for much of the time. It seemed as if the younger brother of Kenenisa Bekele might take advantage of this as he went in front with about 200m remaining. But Bekele hadn’t reckoned with the counterattack by Masai, who went past Bekele in the home straight. His time of 12:50.55 was not only the fastest in the world this year, but also a meet record. Defeat was a double blow for Ethiopia because the latter mark had been held by Haile Gebrselassie, who ran 12:53.19 in 1995. Bekele was second on Sunday in 12:52.45 while Kipsiro was third in 12:54.70.
Kenyans Dominate in San Diego
Kenyans dominated the men’s race at the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon in San Diego. Simon Wangai won in 2:10:07 over three compatriots: Leonard Maina (2:10:56), Hilary Kimaiyo (2:11:27) and KIMbia’s James Getanda (2:11:50). A big leading group covered the first half of the race in 64:06, but none could maintain this pace in the second half. It was a different story in the women’s race—the winner was the Russian Yulia Gromova in 2:28:23 after she ran faster the second half faster than the first. Jemima Sumgong (Kenya/2:30:18) and Nuta Olaru (Romania/2:30:54) completed the leading positions.
Goucher Gets Olympic “A” Standard
American Kara Goucher ran under the Olympic “A” standard on Saturday night at a meet in Portland, Oregon created specifically for that purpose. The bronze medalist at last summer’s World Championships, Goucher wanted to post a sub-31:45 time before this month’s Olympic Trials. She did so easily, cruising to a solo win in 31:26.48. Now that she has the Olympic “A” standard, Goucher doesn’t have to worry if the 10,000m at the upcoming U.S. Olympic trials turns into a slow, tactical race.
Benita Johnson Completes Hat Trick, Dedicates Victory to Her Father
Benita Johnson dismissed her Ethiopian competition at the Freihofers Women’s Run in Albany, New York and became the first non-American to win three successive editions of this prestigious race. The Australian won the 30th edition of the 5K in 15:46, joining Lynn Jennings and Marla Runyan as a three-time winners.
After a cautious start Johnson and the Ethiopian Amane Gobena, who finished second in 15:52, broke free of the leading group. They stayed together until the fourth kilometer, when the Australian world cross country champion of 2004 raised the tempo and dropped her rival. “I didn’t want to leave it to a sprint finish,” said Johnson. Third was Azizza Aliyu (Ethiopia) in 16:02.
“I didn’t go into this with any particular plan. You never know how a race will turn out. During the last kilometers I started suffering from cramps because I was running so fast. I was determined to win it for the third time in a row,” said Johnson, whose delight following the race was overshadowed by news of the death of her father, who had been seriously ill. The Australian has yet to decide whether she will run the marathon or the 10,000m at the Olympics.
