Prefontaine ClassicMay 30, 2015 by Lincoln Shryack
Mo Farah Wins 10K Slugfest, Teenager Kejelcha Surprises In 5K At Pre Classic
Mo Farah Wins 10K Slugfest, Teenager Kejelcha Surprises In 5K At Pre Classic
Mo Farah won a grueling men's 10,000m at the Pre Classic in 26:50.97.
Mo Farah stormed ahead of Kenyans Paul Tanui and Geoffrey Kamworor in the final meters of the men’s 10,000m at the 2015 Pre Classic, winning the most highly anticipated race of Distance Night at the Prefontaine Classic in 26:50.97. Farah’s time is the fastest in the world in 2015.
FULL RESULTS
Mo Farah stormed ahead of Kenyans Paul Tanui and Geoffrey Kamworor in the final meters of the men’s 10,000m at the 2015 Pre Classic, winning the most highly anticipated race of Distance Night at the Prefontaine Classic in 26:50.97. Farah’s time is the fastest in the world in 2015.
Tanui would end up 2nd in 26:51.86, and Kamworor 3rd in 26:52.65. Tanui was also runner-up in the 2014 Pre Classic 10K.
The 32-year-old double Olympic/World champion had hoped to run faster, as his PB of 26:46 had stood since 2011. Farah led the trio through 5,000m in 13:21, but the pace would not stay that quick as race tactics took control.
Even though Farah ran the 2nd fastest time of his career, he was noticeably disappointed after the race. With the rare chance to run a fast 10K, Farah looked upset to not at least end up with a personal best, which would have been a European record. It seemed that Farah expected either Tanui or Kamworor to take on the pacing duties in the latter stages of the race, but neither of them seemed keen to do it.
Farah actually had to take on some of the leading as the pace started to dwindle, and overall he was much more asssertive then we've seen him over the last several years. The pace suffered without a designated pacer from 5K to 8K, though, as the men split 8:10 over that span, or 27:13 tempo.
"It just didn't have that even pacing, where someone at the front takes you through all the way to 5K, 6K...I was hoping to have someone (go) that far, but we just didn't have the guys capable of doing that pace," Farah said afterwards.
Farah actually had to take on some of the leading as the pace started to dwindle, and overall he was much more asssertive then we've seen him over the last several years. The pace suffered without a designated pacer from 5K to 8K, though, as the men split 8:10 over that span, or 27:13 tempo.
"It just didn't have that even pacing, where someone at the front takes you through all the way to 5K, 6K...I was hoping to have someone (go) that far, but we just didn't have the guys capable of doing that pace," Farah said afterwards.
Regardless, Farah showed that he is still the favorite to repeat in the 5K/10K at August’s World Championships. Tanui won the bronze medal in the 10,000m at the 2013 World Championships, while the 22-year-old Kamworor was the 2015 World cross country champion in March, but they still could not hang with Farah when he pushed into his highest gear in the final stretch.
In the race behind these three, Canadian Cam Levins ran a massive 20 second PB of 27:07.51 to finish fourth. The time is a new Canadian record for Levins.
Americans Diego Estrada and Hassan Mead both grabbed the IAAF standard, with Estrada 7th in 27:30.53 and Mead 11th 27:33.04. Both men ran personal bests on Friday night in Eugene.
17-year-old Yomif Kejelcha closed hard to beat Edwin Soi and Galen Rupp in the 5,000m
World junior titles are one thing, but to take down a field with the three names above shows that this youngster is ready for the big stage. Kejelcha ran the final 800 meters in 1:54.
Americans Diego Estrada and Hassan Mead both grabbed the IAAF standard, with Estrada 7th in 27:30.53 and Mead 11th 27:33.04. Both men ran personal bests on Friday night in Eugene.
17-year-old Kejelcha Stuns In Tactical 5K
The big names in the men’s 5,000m were Galen Rupp, Bernard Lagat, and Kenyan Edwin Soi, but none of those men would end up winning, as 17-year-old Ethiopian Yomif Kejelcha used a powerful last 200 meters to separate himself from the experienced trio. Kejelcha would take the victory in 13:10.54, nearly a 15-second PB. The Ethiopian has experience running well at Hayward Field, having won the 2014 World junior title in the 5,000m last July.
17-year-old Yomif Kejelcha closed hard to beat Edwin Soi and Galen Rupp in the 5,000m
World junior titles are one thing, but to take down a field with the three names above shows that this youngster is ready for the big stage. Kejelcha ran the final 800 meters in 1:54.
Galen Rupp charged to the front at the bell, but was no match to the closing speed of the Ethiopian teenager. As Kejelcha glided away to victory, Soi would just pass Rupp for 2nd in the final meters. The Kenyan finished in 13:11.97, with the crowd favorite Rupp settling for 3rd in 13:12.36.
Tonight was Rupp’s 2015 outdoor opener, and his first race since January. He’s not in the shape that he was a year ago when he set the American record (26:44) in the Pre Classic 10K, but that will come as the season progresses. The top end speed wasn’t there tonight, but there should be no cause for concern in the NOP camp.
Rupp was pleased that the race was tactical because it gave him a chance to work on his closing speed.
"I was really happy that it ended up being tactical, I know my strength is great now, so it's good practice for the big meets coming up which are probably going to be tactical too," he said.
Rupp was pleased that the race was tactical because it gave him a chance to work on his closing speed.
"I was really happy that it ended up being tactical, I know my strength is great now, so it's good practice for the big meets coming up which are probably going to be tactical too," he said.
40-year-old Bernard Lagat smashed another Master’s World record on Friday night with his 13:14.97 4th place finish. The previous record of 13:43.15 held by Mohammed Ezzher since 2000 had no chance of surviving the night, as Lagat continues to mystify at an age when most distance runners have long since faded into retirement.
Lagat was particulary motivated to run well this year at Prefontaine because of how poorly he raced in Eugene a year ago.
"My first race was 13:31, and it was right here, and I was disappointed and I didn't want to repeat that here at Prefontaine Classic. This is a special place for me and I was embarrassed, I was telling everyone 'sorry' because I ran bad," Lagat said afterwards, referring to the 2014 Pre Classic 5,000m which he finished 14th in 13:31.23.
He was much happier with tonight's race. "13:14. That's not too bad," he said.
Bowerman TC teammates Ryan Hill and Mo Ahmed each grabbed the IAAF standard (13:23) on Friday, with Hill running 13:15.92 for 6th and Ahmed 11th in 13:20.67.
Carlos Villarreal used a big kick to win the Boys high school mile in 4:05.25.
The senior from Re Rico High (AZ) used a huge last lap to stun New York prep Mikey Brannigan at the line, winning in a new PB of 4:05.25. Brannigan would settle for 2nd 4:05.78, also a personal best. Villarreal and Brannigan now rank 2nd and 3rd in the mile for US high schoolers in 2015.
Lagat was particulary motivated to run well this year at Prefontaine because of how poorly he raced in Eugene a year ago.
"My first race was 13:31, and it was right here, and I was disappointed and I didn't want to repeat that here at Prefontaine Classic. This is a special place for me and I was embarrassed, I was telling everyone 'sorry' because I ran bad," Lagat said afterwards, referring to the 2014 Pre Classic 5,000m which he finished 14th in 13:31.23.
He was much happier with tonight's race. "13:14. That's not too bad," he said.
Bowerman TC teammates Ryan Hill and Mo Ahmed each grabbed the IAAF standard (13:23) on Friday, with Hill running 13:15.92 for 6th and Ahmed 11th in 13:20.67.
Villarreal, Frazier Win High School Miles
Carlos Villarreal and Ryen Frazier scored big victories in the Pre Classic high school miles, with Villarreal’s stunning come-from-behind victory in the final meters of the boys mile highlighting the prep competition on Friday night.
Carlos Villarreal used a big kick to win the Boys high school mile in 4:05.25.
The senior from Re Rico High (AZ) used a huge last lap to stun New York prep Mikey Brannigan at the line, winning in a new PB of 4:05.25. Brannigan would settle for 2nd 4:05.78, also a personal best. Villarreal and Brannigan now rank 2nd and 3rd in the mile for US high schoolers in 2015.
Frazier led a pack of 10 girls under 4:45, winning in a US-leading 4:39.84. The senior from Ravenscroft School (NC) had to kick hard in the final 50 meters to get past Danielle Jones, who ended up 2nd in 4:39.88. The top 10 US girls mile times of 2015 were run tonight at the Prefontaine Classic.
The 2015 Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon continues tomorrow at 12:00pm PT with a full afternoon of World-class professional competition.
The 2015 Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon continues tomorrow at 12:00pm PT with a full afternoon of World-class professional competition.