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The Women's 1500m race report The 'able' pacesetter went about her task, going through 400m in 62.21 [ a tad fast ] with Maria Ciocan [the form athlete in Oslo] following in 3rd spot, thereafter a large pack had formed. The 800m time, was 2:09.33 [the fastest split of the year] and most of the athletes were 'up for it'. Before 1200m in 3:15.06, Ciocan had allowed herself to fade back to 6th spot and out of contention, leaving herself with 'far too much to do'. Jacobs had moved to the front of the field by the time the straight had been reached and she looked poised to win this race 'going away'. That was until the tall and imposing figure of Turova 'loomed' alongside her. On 1st glance of the finish one would have been forgiven, if they had thought Jacob's experience had clutched victory with her 'dip'. This was not to be as the photo-finish 'judges' rewarded the race to the Belarus athlete. Britain's Helen Pattison ran a solid race to finish 3rd in a new Personal Best of 4:01.10, leaving her feeling very 'chuffed' with her night's work. Following the Brit were a number of athletes who recorded Personal Bests, with Hungarian athlete Judit Varga setting a National Record [NR] of 4:01.38 in 4th place. Race Gripe : Maria Ciocan what's happening ? After starting the season off with such a 'dazzling string' of performances, your 'star' has begun to fade somewhat. Eventhough, you managed to finish with a 4:03, we know you are better than that. Please, take a break. Come back refreshed and ready for the European Champs.....Will she listen to such advice though? [ results below ] The Men's 800 race report The line-up in this race was 'staggering' as well as compelling. The entries included the current World Record Holder Wilson Kipketer, 2001 World Champion Andre Bucher [albeit coming back from injury], Russia's class talent Yuriy Borzakovskiy and the form athlete USA's David Krummenacker. Not to mention, South Africa's Hezekiel Sepeng and the 2002 European Indoor Champion Pawel Czapiewski of Poland. Coming into this race the year's best [YB] was 1:44.25, established
by Borzakovskiy in Turin. The pacesetter went through 400m in 49.63 with the rest of the field going through between 50 to 51sec.Bram Som [Netherlands/Holland] was the athlete attempting to cover the pace. The rest of the field were happy enough following Som. Going down the backstraight, kipketer was the first to show his 'hand' and eased to the front of the field. Krummenacker was first to respond and slotted himself directly behind the ex-Kenyan [and now Danish citizen]. Coming into the last 100m, one could sense the American preparing to strike. However, Kipketer's sustained tempo [and not a dazzling surge] was maintained to the line and the USA athlete had to be content with 2nd spot. The winning time was 1:43.76, the year's fastest and Krummenacker's time was 1:43.96 a personal best and a performance which is sure to give him more confidence. We know that Kipketer is not the athlete of years before, since malaria struck him down, and seeing the 'likeable' athlete win against this competition was great. Krummenacker on this performance is destined for greater things and may go on to challenge the 'mantle of America's best ever 800m runner, Johnny Gray. Hezekiél Sepeng came through to grab 3rd spot with a powerful finishing burst to record a SB [Season's Best] of 1.44.39. Race Gripe : Yuriy Borzakovskiy. We know how talented you are, but please adopt a change in attitude and start producing the consistent performances we know you are capable of ! Seb Coe made 1 mistake that cost him the Gold medal over 800m at the Moscow Olympics [and for which he was never allowed to forget], however you seem to repeat the same 'ploy' week in and week out. With 400m speed 'maybe' capable of going sub45, why not go with the pace on occasion ? [ results below ] The Men's 3000m race report With the pacesetters providing a 'splendid' consistent pace Maiyo seated himself in 3rd spot, flying through the 1st Km in 2:29.63. Thereafter, the pace never faltered, going through 2K in 5:00.73 with Maiyo tucked in behind the pacesetter and the rest of the field 'sliding' off the back, allowing the gap to become ever larger. At one time Sammy Kipketer attempted to close the gap, but receibved no assistance from the other athletes. He soon gave up the lone quest returning to the fold of 'complacency'. With 2 laps to go Maiyo saw that the gap was close to 100m and was surely hoping to apply himself to the task of winning. His 'cadence' dropped and with it his lap speed, reeling off a lap of 63.73 and 62:61, this allowed his 'pursuers' to begin to 'grasp' hope. With 200m to go [I was urging him to find 'wings' from Heaven], the field began their attack in earnest. The 1st to emerge from the pack was Ukranian athlete, Sergey Lebed. His surge took him clear of the pack and he soon passed Maiyo. With 80m to go the pack 'swarmed' their prey. [the hunted had been hunted]. Lebed was still clear, however from this pack the tall figure of Benjamin Limo [Ken] emerged and he blasted past the Ukranian to a 'somewhat' easy victory. His winning time was 7:34.72 and his final lap must have 'touched on close' to 53sec. Lebed hung onto 2nd setting a new National Record with 7:35.06. The 'wingless' Maiyo faded to 7th in 7:36.98 Race Gripe : In a race where no-one is in line to have a
'crack' at the 'Jackpot' and you have a fine pace 'laid on', why
oh why can't you follow the pace. You are 'elite' athletes and
you are paid for your services, you also have an obligation?
[ results below ] The Women's 3000m race report The pacesetters maintained a consistent pace going through the 1st 600m in 'a touch' close to 1:39 before reaching 1K in 2:47.39. The field was strung out behind in 'virtual' single file, with the two other main contenders Berhane Adere [Ethiopia] and Edith Masai [Ken] in close attendance. Radcliffe moved to the familiar role of 'frontrunner' once the 'designated rabbitt' dropped out. She maintained the previous pace, thus causing the other athletes to lose touch with the 'afore' mentioned four. After 'reeling' off further laps of just below 68sec, the 2K mark was passed in 5:37.01 [2:49.62]. Going into the last lap, Radcliffe [the world's 2nd fastest ever marathoner] was not given a prayer and when Zsabo went to the front, it should have signalled 'race over'. However, the 'gritty' Brit was not to surrender without a fight and she clung to the 'little' Romanian as though her life depended on it. Radcliffe could not pass the Zsabo, however their 'tussle' had pulled them well clear of Masai and Adere. Zsabo crossed the line in a PB [Persoanl Best] time of 8:21.42 which was to establish new National and European records, surpassing the record established by Sonia O'Sullivan 8 years previously. Radcliffe was rewarded with a fine 8:22.20 a new Commonwealth and UK record, a truly fine performance from an athlete who had run a fantastic marathon [2:18.56] in April. Masai attempted to close the gap over the last 80m, but by then the race was lost. In her favour she was to establish a new National and African record of 8:23.23. A wonderful race which saw 6 other athletes record PB's. Race Gripe : Why couldn't the men have produced such a fine performance? [ results below ] The Men's 1500 race report Hicham El Guerrouj 'track show' continues and he remains the only distance athlete left with a chance of being part of the 'Jackpot' Bernard Lagat [Krn] was to provide the competition to the Moroccan and with the start of the race the Kenyan took up the 'unfamiliar' role of running ahead of El Guerrouj, just off the pacesetters. The frontrunner passed through 400m in [53.04] and followed this up with 56.78 to reach 800m in 1:49.82 Going down the backstraight of the 3rd lap, lagat looked full of running and coming into the homestraight with 500m to go, El Gerrouj must have felt the pace had dropped. Because with 480m to go, the Morrocan went to the front. Lagat was quick to respond and attempted to close on his rival. However, the gap had been achieved and now 'Hicham Machine' maintained rhythm and began to cruise towards victory. With 30m to go it seemed as though Lagat was finding extra and it looked as though he would be able to 'draw' on his reserves to oust El Gerrouj, however the man presently rated as the 'World's greatest athlete' 'dug' deep and maintained his form to the line, allowing him to win by less than 6/100th's of a second. The winning time was 'again' [after their previous Paris meeting] the fastest time of the year with 3:27.34 to Lagat's 3:27.91. The ever improving SILVA, Rui Silva [Portugal] took 3rd spot in a new NR with 3:30.07. Also getting in on the act were Cornelius Chirchir [Ken] 4th with a new World Junior Record of 3:30.24 and France's Driss Maazouzi 6th with a NR of 3:31.45 Race Gripe : With so much at stake for El Gerruoj how come the other athletes are not prepared to put everything on the line in the same manner? Is this what makes him the best ? [ results below ] The Men's 3000m SteeplChase race report The athletes were again locked in battle going into the last 400m
and coming into the homestretch the Moroccan sprinted to victory
in a new meeting record time of 7:58.09, 1/100th of a second ahead
of Kenya's Stephen Cherono. Amazingly the Netherland's [Holland]
Simon Vroemen posted a new European record of 8:06.91 in 3rd spot.
Wilson Boit Kipketer, Boulami's conqueror on Tuesday could on this
occasion only manage 4th in a time of 8:12.23 Race Gripe : That was the last race of the evening [ results below ] Herculis meeting in Monaco Results Women's Results 800m 1500m 3000m 100 M
800m 3000m 1500m 3000m SteepleChase 100 M
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The race reports and results for 2002 . 
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