As always, Kenyans competing in 3000m steeplechase race at any international event, hardly disappoint.
And at the fifth leg of the IAAF Diamond League meet in Rome, it was the same script, as Conseslus Kipruto led a Kenyan 1-2-3 sweep.
Kipruto, winner in Doha and Rabat legs edged out Jairus Birech, who fell at the second hurdle on the final lap, to win in 8:01.41. Birech finished second in 8:11.39. Paul Koech Kipsiele confirmed Kenya’s dominance of the seven-lap water and barrier race, finishing third in 8:14.46.
It was a two-man race from the first kilometre, but Kipruto took advantage of Birech’s fall to open an unbeatable gap.
There was some rueful shaking of heads at the end as Birech, who had quickly picked himself up from the infield and resumed running, came home second in 8:11.39.
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Kipruto was, however, not impressed with his time, which was the last of four 2016 world-leading marks set on the night.
“Despite the win, I am very, very disappointed,” said Kipruto. “I wanted to run under 7.57. I tried to push it too hard and it did not work.”
Hillary Yego (8:19.01) the 2009 World Youth 2000m steeplechase champion, was sixth. But it was another bad day in office for four-time World champion Ezekiel Kemboi (8:24.26), who finished a woeful 11th, with world bronze medallist Brimin Kipruto (8:29.54) in at 14th.
Meanwhile, Elijah Manangoi won his first IAAF diamond league race in men’s 1500m in 3:33.9. He was second in Doha, finished third in the Eugene leg and the Bowerman mile.
Former Africa Youth 800m champion Robert Biwott was second in 3:34.21 ahead of Australia’s Ryan Gregson (3:34.27), who beat 2011 world 1,500m silver medallist Silas Kiplangat (3:34.49) to third.
The highlight of the night was Ethiopia’s Almaz Ayana, who came agonisingly close to breaking women’s world 5000m record, stopping the clock at 14:12.59, just 1.44 off what compatriot Tirunesh Dibaba set at the 2008 Golden League in Oslo.
It was a measure of Ayana's outstanding effort that 2013 world silver medallist Mercy Cherono registered a personal best of 14:33.95 and was still adrift by almost 100m. Viola Kibiwot was third with 14:34.95 and Janet Kisa seventh in 14:42.62.
Despite the disappointment of coming short of the world record, Ayana would take consolation in setting a new IAAF Diamond League record, meet record, leading time this year and becoming the second fastest woman ever in 5000m.
In women’s 800m, world bronze medalist Eunice Sum finished 10th as Caster Semenya won in 1:56.64.
