|
Welcome to the Paris 2003 Day 8 |
Day 8 of the Paris 2003 World Track Championships, saw the
running of the Men's Marathon in the heat of the afternoon
and the much awaited Women's 5000m final.
The Men's Marathon produced a stunning display from Morocco's
Jaouad Gharib, who in only his 2nd attempt at the distance
stunned the rest of the field to win in a new Championship
Record of 2:08:31, closely followed by Spain's Julio Rey in
2nd and Italy's Stefano Baldini in 3rd. | report
and results | [ on separate page ]
Women's 5000m Final - Saturday, August
30, 2003
The Women's 5000m final was a tense affair with 10 competitors
still in contention with 200m to go.
Shortly after the start the ever so keen, hardworking Russian
athlete Yelena Zadorozhnaya, went to the front to take the
pack through 400m in 70.60. She did not however pick the tempo
up, and was soon passed by Gabriela Szabo of Romania and 10
000m winner, Berhane Adere of Ethiopia. The tall longstriding
Abera and the short choppy stride of Szabo led through 1000m
in 3:04.25. Nothing special and the makings of a tactical
race.
4 minutes into the race and Zhor El Kamch of Morocco, who
had run a host of PB's in the lead up to these Champs by adopting
frontrunning tactics, went to the front. The pace increased
to 70.72 and then returned to 75.82, passing through 2K in
6:09.88. Quite remarkable that athletes who were not known
for their finishing speed were allowing the race to become
such a tactical affair. Often lack of confidence on the big
stage can be such a hinderance.
Things were becoming beyond ridiculous, with athletes running
4 deep shoulder to shoulder at 3.20 per K pace. Kenyan Isabella
Ochichi went to the front in an attempt to bring respectability
back to a Championship Final and pushed the following 200m
up in tempo. This was immediately seen as a threat by Adera
who came round runners so as to track the Kenyan.
During all the running, Spain's Marta Domínguez kept
herself tucked closely to the inside of the track, never less
than one athlete from the front. The effort had picked up
to a 67.88 lap and this had lifted the pace to 2:59.00 for
the kilometer, passing through 3K in 9:08.88.
It was not a brutal change of pace for a 5000m race, however
Ireland's Sonia O'Sullivan soon found herself off the lead
group and no longer in contention, even though the tempo had
slowed to a 70.87 lap. This slowing of the pace allowed the
Canadian pair of Émilie Mondor and Courtney Babcock
to return to the pack.
A 71.15 lap. This was strange to say the least. The Moroccan
pair of Zahra Ouaziz and El Kamch, had dropped off the back
and their role in the outcome of the race had been played.
There were still 12 athletes within 1 second of each other,
and supposedly anyone's race. Even though the scribes would
'surely' have the race written down as a perfect Szabo and
Abera duel to the finish.
Another 71.09 lap. 4K in 12:06.45 - 2:57.57 K. Where was
the fireworks, who would be the first to attack ? Who shot
JR ?
2 laps to go .. Athletes are 5 deep .. China's 10 000m Bronze
medalist, Yingjie Sun, is almost running in the 3rd lane.
The last 200m was only 36sec. Zadorozhnaya edges towards the
front and entering the backstraight she shifts a gear. Ochichi
immediately slides out of contention with 6 athletes going
past her as though she were standing still. Zsabo finds herself
at the rear of the field with 600m to go. The last 200m was
only 34 seconds, yet it seems to have the effect as if it
were vastly faster. That 400m was 70.14 .. 13:16.59 at 4400m
...
13:50.01 at the bell ... The tiny Russian is all arms and
legs, she is closely pursued by the Spaniard and Turkey's
Elvan Abeylegesse. And they racing . Ladies and Gentlemen
.. this is it ..
|
