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Meseret Defar Wins Women’s 5000m Gold; Rhines Bests Flanagan

Posted September 1st, 2007 at 7:45 AM by Jimmie R. Markham

Section: News & Results, Track & Field, Live Race Coverage

The Women’s 5000m final of the 11th IAAF World Championships in Athletics from Osaka, Japan was certain to be a showcase for world record holder Meseret Defar who, with a PB of 14:16.63, was 8.05 seconds faster than any other woman coming into the race.

Kayoko Fukushi, a sub 15 minute 5000m runner from Japan, took the race from the gun with a first 1000m time of 2:59.22, a sub 15 minute pace. Defar and the Kenyan team were right behind her.

The field went through the 2000m mark in 6:04.69 with Fukushi still in the lead, having taken the field through the 2nd 1000m in 3:05.47, now outside a 15 minute pace.

Just before the 3000m mark, Vivian Cheruiyot (KEN) made a move and went to the front. Cheruiyot owns the 2nd fastest time of all time a 14:22.51. The time at 3000m was 9:11.99 (3:07.30 split) with Defar right on Cheruiyot’s shoulder.

At 4000m the time was 12:13.05 (3:01.06 split) with Cheruiyot still in front. Defar was still on her shoulder.

With 200 meters to go, Defar kicked and Cheruiyot tried to go with her but she had no answer for Defar’s top gear. Defar opened up a 3 meter lead to win in 14:57.91 to Cheruiyot’s 14:58.50. The last 1000m was run in 2:44.86. Priscah Jepleting Cherono (KEN) ran a time of 14:59.21 for the bronze medal. Sylvia Jebiwott Kibet (KEN) was also under 15 minutes with a time 14:59.26, a personal best.

The two Americans, Shalane Flanagan and Jennifer Rhines, did well, finishing 7th and 8th. Interestingly, Rhines was the top American, outkicking Flanagan in a time of 15:03.09 to Flanagan’s 15:03.86.

Here is the final order of the Women’s 5000m Final:
1. Meseret Defar (ETH) 14:57.9
2. Vivian Cheruiyot (KEN) 14:58.5
3. Priscah Jepleting Cherono (KEN) 14:59.2
4. Sylvia Jebiwott Kibet (KEN) 14:59.3
5. Elvan Abeylegesse (TUR) 15:00.9
6. Meselech Melkamu (ETH) 15:01.4
7. Jennifer Rhines (USA) 15:03.1
8. Shalane Flanagan (USA) 15:03.9
9. Joanne Pavey (GBR) 15:04.8
10. Gelete Burika (ETH) 15:07.5
11. Mariya Konovalova (RUS) 15:09.7
12. Silvia Weissteiner (ITA) 15:11.8
13. Volha Krautsova (BLR) 15:11.8
14. Kayoko Fukushi (JPN) 15:19.4
15. Jessica Augusto (POR) 15:24.9