Bengaluru: Mosinet Geremew became the first athlete to defend his title after the Ethiopian produced a measured performance to claim the top prize in the elite men’s run at the TCS World 10K event.
On a hot Sunday morning, which was less than conducive for a run, Geremew clocked 28:36 seconds to come in first for the second time in a row. Kenyan John Langat took the second spot with 28:37 seconds while Bonsa Dida from Ethiopia came home third clocking 28:42 seconds.
In the elite women’s run, Peres Jepchirchir ran a consistent run to take the top prize. The Kenyan came in at 32:15 seconds to take the gold while compatriot Helah Kiprop (32:28s) and Wude Yimer (32:33s) of Ethiopia competed the top three.
There was some hesitation from the runners to take the initiative and set the pace as they were for most part content looking over their shoulders.
Mule Wasihun of Ethiopia did try early on as he pushed into the lead after 4kms and steadily extended it to about 50 metres going into the 6km-mark before things started to go wrong for him. He lost some valuable lead when he went off the course before realising the mistake and turned back only to be met with a rather determined dog which kept pace with him for few hundred metres.
However, into the final kilometre stretch, the exhausted Ethiopian fell by the wayside.
Geremew, who had so far been anonymous in the race, then got into his stride, breaking away with Langat, Dida, Abdallah Mande and Alex Korio in the last kilometre to ensure a strong finish.
“It was very hot so it was quite difficult but I’m happy. I pushed step by step because I knew the course and was not scared when Wasihun went ahead. I knew for certain that I will win coming into the final 500 metres,” said the champion.
Jepchirchir shows the way
In the women’s run, while other runners swapped places, Jepchirchir stayed among the leaders from start as the race gathered pace. The podium finishers along with Gladys Chesir broke of from the rest after 4kms before the 22-year-old started to establish a commanding lead even as Chesir waned, eventually falling prey to the heat and collapsing.
The eventual winner, in the country for the first time, emerged on to the track for the final burst almost 80 meters ahead of her nearest rival to cap off her strong show with a deserving gold medal.
“It was difficult in this weather and the first 3km the pace was slow and I knew that I could win if I pushed,” she said after the race.
Timings: Men: 1. Mosinet Geremew (ETH) 00:28:36; 2. John Langat (KEN) 00:28:37; 3. Bonsa Dida (ETH) 00:28:42; 4. Abdallah Mande (UGA) 00:28:46; 5. Alex Korio (KEN) 00:28:49 Women: 1. Peres Jepchirchir (KEN) 00:32:15; 2. Helah Kiprop (KEN) 00:32:28; 3. Wude Yimer (ETH) 00:32:33; 4. Edith Chelimo (KEN) 00:32:50; 5. Rose Chelimo (KEN) 00:32:54;
