Molly Huddle Goes All-Time Fast, Mo Farah Returns to the Track

Molly Huddle Goes All-Time Fast, Mo Farah Returns to the Track

Molly Huddle shined bright in the women’s 5000m and Mo Farah captured the 10,000m in front of a roaring Eugene crowd during the Friday night races at the Pr

May 28, 2016 by Meg Bellino
Molly Huddle Goes All-Time Fast, Mo Farah Returns to the Track
Molly Huddle shined bright in the women’s 5000m and Mo Farah captured the 10,000m in front of a roaring Eugene crowd during the Friday night races at the Pre Classic.

Huddle finished in 11th in 14:48.14, the eighth-fastest mark on the U.S. all-time list (she already owns the American record of 14:42.64) and her third time dipping under 14:50.

With 6 laps to go, Gelete Burka of Ethiopia had the lead until eventual race winner Hellen Obiri of Kenya took the position. Huddle remained in the lead pack until there were three laps to go and things began to really move. Obiri won in an impressive 14:32.02. A three-time global medalist in the 1500m and indoor 3000m, this was Obiri’s first 5000m race at sea level.


Oregon residents Sally Kipyego of Oregon Track Club Elite (seventh, 14:43) and Betsy Saina (eighth, 14:44) raced alongside Huddle for much of the race. Americans Kim Conley (13th, 15:10), Marielle Hall (14th, 15:20) and Nicole Tully (15th, 16:18) were disconnected from the leaders for a majority of the race, although Conley came within two seconds of her PB.

Mo Farah won the 10,000m race in 26:53.71, the third-fastest mark of his career. The leaders hit the 5000m mark around 13:24. Farah hit the bell around 25:54 with Kenyan William Malel Sitonik challenging. As they sprinted around the final turn, however, Farah used his dangerous kick to remind everyone why he has been so unbelievably unbeatable.


Eric Jenkins ran 27:48 for 16th, obliterating his PB of 28:59 from his Oregon Duck days. Although he remained unseen during the broadcast, his time is the fastest by an American this season and gives him another option for the upcoming Olympic Trials.

Alysia Montano won the women’s 800m in 2:00.78 over a star-studded field including Kate Grace, Chanelle Price and Laura Roesler. Kendra Chambers took the field out in 57.03 through 400m and Montano latched on. When Chambers stepped off the track it was Montano’s race. She remained unchallenged and crossed the line ahead of Grace (2:01.16).

FULL RESULTS HERE