Meselch Melkamu 29:53.81 in Utrecht

[dl]

Via a forwarded text from Renato Canova:

Melkamu 29:53.81
Florence Kiplagat 30:11
Sylvia Kibet 30:47

[Jon]

Just got back from holiday in Croatia. Took half hour or so to very quickly scan the results that happened in the past week. This is the one that really jumped out and I'm surprised there hasn't been more comments on this 'moral' world record!

Looks like Dibaba's and Abeylegesse's breaking of the 30-min barrier has opened the flood gates for more to do the same. A bit like when Xavier Carter ran his 19.62. I wonder how many women will go sub-30 in Berlin. 3? 4? More?

[Powell]

I wonder how many women will go sub-30 in Berlin. 3? 4? More?

I don't know about more. It's basically just the Ethiopians (including Abeylegesse) who are capable of it.

BTW, has anyone seen the results of this race anywhere? Does the meet have a website?

[EPelle]

http://www.wrfestival.nl/Sport.aspx?menu=16

Internationale vrouwenrace 10.000 meter
1. Meselech Melkamu ETHIOPIA 29:53,80
2. Florence Kiplagat KENYA 30:11,53
3. Wude Ayalew ETHIOPIA 30:11,87
4. Sylvia Kibet KENYA 30:47,20
5. Aberu Kebede ETHIOPIA 30:48,26
6. Hilda Kibet NETHERLANDS 30:51,92
7. Mamitu Daska ETHIOPIA 31:36,88
8. Gladys Kwambai KENYA 32:47,34
9. Ilse Pol NETHERLANDS 32:47,77
10. Abebech Afework Bekele ETHIOPIA 32:52,67
11. Lara Tamsett AUSTRALIA 32:54,93
Bizunesh Urgesa ETHIOPIA DNF
Ruth Bisibori Nyangau KENYA DNF
Peninah Jepchumba Biwott KENYA DNF

[Powell]

Thanks, EP. I've been looking for these for some time.

I don't think I've ever heard of Wude Ayalew before. I searched on Tilastopaja, and my guess would be she's the same person as Ayalew Yimer - 31:06 in Ostrava last year. Can anyone confirm?

[EPelle]

Powell, yes, same athlete:

Ayelew
31.06,84 in Ostrava last season.

Also of note is that the season's only sub-13.00 guy, Abdi Abdosh, ran his second lifetime 10.000m (27.09,40/1st). It was a mark only five seconds slower than his debut two years ago at Hengelo (27.04,92/7th). This was Mathew Kisorio's first non-altitude (and only second career) 10.000m (28.50,1A - 27.15,44).

[Powell]

Aberu Kebede is an interesting one. She's come pretty much out of nowhere. Prior to this year, she only had a 9:19 at 3000 meters and 16th place in the junior race at WXC. This year, she's already done a 1:08:43 half marathon while winning in Milano, with a 31:42 first 10k. Perhaps another candidate for being the next big thing?

[nevetsllim]

Thanks, EP. I've been looking for these for some time.

I don't think I've ever heard of Wude Ayalew before. I searched on Tilastopaja, and my guess would be she's the same person as Ayalew Yimer - 31:06 in Ostrava last year. Can anyone confirm?

She also won the 3000m in Monaco last year too and she's done well at World Cross events in the past.

So I guess the Ethiopian team for Berlin will be T. Dibaba, Melkamu, Ayalew and maybe Defar? Or will they choose Kebede on the basis of having a faster time?

[Jon]

I wonder how many women will go sub-30 in Berlin. 3? 4? More?

I don't know about more. It's basically just the Ethiopians (including Abeylegesse) who are capable of it.

Given that Florence Kiplagat and Wude Ayalew both slashed 55 seconds from their PBs in an event they've only tried a few times, I wouldn't rule out another 11-12 second improvement from them if a championship title is at stake. Add Linet Masai to the equation, and potentially (being the operative word), there could be: T Dibaba (bye as defending champ), Melkamu, Ayalew, Defar, Kiplagat, Masai and Abeyegesse all going sub-30. I know it's quite unlikely and I'm sounding more optimistic than Doug, the resident eternal optimist (especially when it comes to Ethiopians and distance running!), but Championship races are notorious for producing dozens of big PBs.

Of course, it could all end up as a tactical sit-and-kick race won in 31:52, which would be a travesty given that the conditions in Berlin would likely be pretty good for the 10,000m.

[SantaCruz]

Wow, new WR! (Wang Junxia doesn't count.)

[nevetsllim]

I wonder how many women will go sub-30 in Berlin. 3? 4? More?

I don't know about more. It's basically just the Ethiopians (including Abeylegesse) who are capable of it.

Given that Florence Kiplagat and Wude Ayalew both slashed 55 seconds from their PBs in an event they've only tried a few times, I wouldn't rule out another 11-12 second improvement from them if a championship title is at stake. Add Linet Masai to the equation, and potentially (being the operative word), there could be: T Dibaba (bye as defending champ), Melkamu, Ayalew, Defar, Kiplagat, Masai and Abeyegesse all going sub-30. I know it's quite unlikely and I'm sounding more optimistic than Doug, the resident eternal optimist (especially when it comes to Ethiopians and distance running!), but Championship races are notorious for producing dozens of big PBs.

Lornah Kiplagat has said she won't be running on the track this year, which is a bit disappointing because she's someone who does push it from the start.

[26mi235]

Will the AR by 29:xx after this year?

[EPelle]

No.

[Stephen]

there could be: T Dibaba (bye as defending champ), Melkamu, Ayalew, Defar, Kiplagat, Masai and Abeyegesse all going sub-30. I know it's quite unlikely and I'm sounding more optimistic than Doug, the resident eternal optimist (especially when it comes to Ethiopians and distance running!), but Championship races are notorious for producing dozens of big PBs.

Of course, it could all end up as a tactical sit-and-kick race won in 31:52, which would be a travesty given that the conditions in Berlin would likely be pretty good for the 10,000m.

I don't see 7 women running under 30mins in Berlin, that would be very unlikely. The Chinese team seem to be only nation that can come up with an effective team plan to challenge the Ethiopians, but with no big names it'll be down to Abeyegesse to mess things up. The Kenyans just don't seem to get it that the Ethiopian team run as a team and will generally always out kick them.
I would imagine the Ethiopian team would want a decent pace but not sub 30.

[Jon]

I know, like I said it's unlikely. I was just saying that there are more than four women at present who have the potential to run sub-30.