Oslo - Bislett Reports and Results 2005 - Track section Time-to-Run


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	Oslo - Bislett - Golden League 2005

Oslo Norway - The 2005 Golden League travelled to the revamped Bislett stadium in Oslo, to continue with the great Norwegian tradition of quality track meetings, after a year in Bergen in 2004 during renovations.

In a dazzling night of athletics at the revamped Bislett stadium, the athletes provided 4 sprint finishes out of the 5 Middle to Distance events on display.

The Men's 800m saw Mbulaeni Mulaudzi reverse the Paris result by winning in a sprint finish ahead of the Russian athlete, Yuriy Borzakovskiy, winner of the 800m title at the Athens Olympics in 2004.

The Men's Mile was a stage for all the future stars of the distance with the winner clocking 3:47 leading a further 6 athletes below the magical sub 3:50 barrier.

In the Women's 3000m, another star of the future emerged in the form of the Ethiopian born athlete Maryam Yusuf Jamal who now represents the Burai

The Women's 800m was won by the year's form athlete Tatyana Andrianova of Russia ahead of her compatriots, which assured a clean sweep of the first 3 places.

Following are the race reports from the middle and distance events :

The Men's 5000m race report
The USA's Tim Broe jumped out early and was soon replaced by a resurgent Sammy Kipketer, who moved in to a position in close attendance 3m off the pace. The pacesetters went through 1Km in 2:34.63 with not much interest shown by the real racers.

2k was reached in 5:14.15 after a sluggish 2:39.56 kilometer with the experienced Martin Keino purposely sliding off the 1st 'rabbitt' so as to get in contact with Kipketer in an attempt to initiate pace which would hopefully take the Kenyan back on the wagon. 3 years ago, this would have been a welcomed invite for the marauding Kenyan. These days it seems like a decade ago. The grimace is still there, teeth showing, however the pace was not evident as previously witnessed.

3k came in 7:55.15 and the race was now shaping into a tactical affair allowing Norwegian hope, Marius Bakken to venture alongside the shoulder of Kipketer. The home crowd roared. A home victory would be a major treat for the crowd, with Bakken having recently run a, return to form, season's best of 13:07. A victory would certainly be celebrated.

4k --> 10:37.90

With 2 laps to go, Bakken galloped into the lead and was quickly joined by Broe, who took up the running with 600m to go. Kipketer thrust himself back into contention and with a lap to go it was anyone's race. SK was determined to roll back the clock against a depleted field void of the stars, however this was not to be.

The old guard in the form of John Kibowen rained supreme grasping victory at the line ahead of Kenyan compatriot Moses Mossop. Broe's aggressive running was rewarded with a 13:11.77 PB in 6th.

For some, next stop Helsinki [ results ]

The Women's 3000m race report
The pace of the Women's 3000m was brisk from the gun with the serious pacemaking duties of Olga Komyagina; taking the keen Jo Pavey of Britain, clad with 'Radcliffelike socks', through the 1st K in 2:48.05. a sub 8.30 pace

Race favourite, Isabella Ochichi [Kenya], started more conservatively and was in 5th place approaching 2k in 5:41.01. A poor display of pacemaking duties, where a 2:50 kilometer should have given a 2k split of 5:38. The tempo had dropped to a kilometer at 2:52 and the gritty Brit tried to raise the impetus and tempo of the race and a final 2:49 K would take the field towards a sub 8:30 target. However, the rest of the field, were not prepared to assist and a 69.90 lap didn't help matters.

The first decisive break took place on the backstretch of the final lap and was provided by Bahrain import, Maryam Yusuf Jamal. Her sudden burst of speed left Ochichi grasping straws. The ex-Ethiopian closed with a 62 second last lap to set a World Leading 8:28.87

Ochichi was 2nd in 8:31.42 with Pavey taking 3rd in a Europe Leading time of 8:33.79. Norwegian, Susanne Wigene continued with her season breaking performances with another PB with a time of 8:41.34 in 5th which added to the Scandanavian crowd's delight. [ results ]


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The Men's 800m race report
With the Brazilian; Osnar Dos Santos, providing the pace, we were assured of a swift 400m. A 50.06 opener was exactly what "I like to start fast", Khadevis Robinson of the US ordered.

At the bell, South Africa's Mbulaeni Mulaudzi was leading the rest of the field almost 5m off the pace. The Russian and Olympic Champion, Yuriy Borzakovskiy moved through the field between 300 to 400m and was alongside the South African at the bell.

Down the backstretch, Robinson still held a commanding lead over the field however when it came to 200m, the accelleration of Borzakovskiy was noticeable as he closed down the gap within a space of a 100m round the bend. And in the process, he tagged along the rest of the field. When the Russian passed the March Hare, it seemed like race over as he looked strong and full of running, only for Mulaudzi to outlean him at the line.

A well deserved victory and a break for the athlete who on at least 3 occasions this season had lost in similar circumstances. It is known knowledge that the SA athlete is looking for Gold at the Helsinki WC, however we are sure he is not alone in this quest.

Borzakovskiy did not look as explosive over the last 50m after taking the lead at exactly the right time only to yield 1st place to the late late showing of MM.

Kenyan, Alfred Kirwa Yego, shot through for 3rd place and another PB of 1:44.45 with Canada's Gary Reed taking 4th in a National Record time of 1:44.45.

Reed is showing he is ready to race at the very top of his game and is sure to make a number of Track Canada Listers somewhat happy. For the Us's Robinson a season best of 1:44.70 is scant reward for a race of enormous aggression.

Bring on the 2 lap Gladiators to Helsinki [ results ]

The Women's 800m race report
The Women's 800m, a Russian Affair from the top drawer. The pacesetter was Russian and the first 3 places were taken by her compatriots. This certainly sets the tone for Helsinki.

The race itself was scorching from the first 100m, with Natalia Lavshuk blazing through the first lap in 55.43. Hot on her heels was Svetlana Cherkasova. The blonde athlete was a picture of determination, no doubt determined to make amends for recent disappointing races. The full Russian Brigade was in close attendance with the USA's Hazel Clark closest to the pace. With 250m to go, the Blonde Blitz seized the lead, but was pursued by a trio of Russians.

Into the last 100m and Tatyana Andrianova breezed past a fading Cherkasova; with former 400m runner, Olga Kotlyarova, doing likewise. Adrianova galloped to a clear cut victory posting a time of 1:56.91 and in the process installed herself as outright favourite to win the World title in Helsinki.

For Cherkasova; she needs to reassess her tactics, as an attempt to run her foe off her feet early on, will not work. IMO, a grinding finishing pace over the last 500m may prove to be more effective.

The Russian presence in the 800m final will be significant and the possibility of a clean sweep for the country is not out of the question. [ results ]

The Men's Mile race report
The much awaited Golden Mile Race was an event in the waiting. Eagerly awaited by a US contigent of fans hoping that their young star, Alan Webb would run sub 3:50, thus pushing him ever closer to elite status. The Oslo Mile has a strong tradition, this year was not one where record attempts would be discussed, however the competition to establsih the future pecking order of the World's milers before the Helsinki games was certainly evident. .

As the race unfolded, Webb sat directly behind the given pace and was ahead of Lagat going through the 800m in 1:51.17. The entire field was ready to unleash a look in at the future of middle distance running. The pace faltered ever so slightky and Webb strangely enough didn't challenge, instead leaving it to the experience of others to dictate matters.

ex-Kenyan athlete, previously known as David Nyaga and now of Qatar, Daham Najim Bashir, took a shock win with Lagat finishing 2nd and on this form would have been my favourite for Gold in Helsinki, albeit he will not be there to challenge Rashid due to changing to US citizenship only recently.

Webb realised his ambition of running sub 3:50 with a time of 3:48.92 for 4th behind Daniel Kipchircir Komen, the 1500m winner in Paris, who placed 3rd in 3:48.49. Australia's fast finishing Craig 'Buster' Mottram finished 5th in a NR time of 3:48.98 and can take his form to contest for a medal in the 5000m at the WC.

A magnificent string of performances and an indication of the truly promising period of middle distance runners willing to challenge one another in their desire to be number 1.

The lap splits: 400m 163 LELEI, David (KEN) 55.54 .. 800m 163 LELEI, David (KEN) 1:51.17 .. 1200m 252 KIPCHIRCHIR KOMEN, Daniel (KEN) 2:50.73 [ results ]

A fine night's set of athletic performances. See all the Middle to Distance Results and images

Time-to-Run Oslo Golden League