Jakob Ingebrigtsen on his way to the Ultimate 5000m title in Budapest (© Getty Images)
He waited and waited, only changing gears with 100m to run, but when Jakob Ingebrigtsen went for it, the effect was simply devastating. The reigning Olympic champion unleashed a 12.60-second last 100m to take 5000m glory on a cool, breezy opening night of the World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest on Friday (11).
The Norwegian superstar clocked 12:59.24 after a 54.39-second last lap and 2:25 last kilometre, with world champion Cole Hocker of USA finished several metres adrift in second in 13:00.05 and USA’s Parker Wolfe third in 13:00.13.
The early pace was steady, but not slow, the first kilometre covered in 2:39.77 while 3000m was reached in a controlled 7:58.94. The gears began to shift in the laps that followed, with Ethiopia’s Biniam Mehary leading through 4000m in 10:33.25.
Australia’s Ky Robinson soon hit the front, while Wolfe seized command at the bell. At that point Ingebrigtsen was buried in fifth and he took a number of glances behind on the back straight, apparently checking for Hocker, who again was stuck in traffic.
Ingebrigtsen was still only fourth with 200m to run but he shifted out as he turned for home and changed gears impressively, leaving the pack trailing as Hocker won the battle for second.
“I haven’t run too many 5000m races this year, or too many races at all, so I was a bit nervous,” said Ingebrigtsen, who added the Ultimate Championship title to his one Olympic, two world and four European titles over 5000m. He will now turn his focus to the 1500m on Sunday, where he will square off with Hocker and 2023 world champion Josh Kerr.
“Not many weeks ago I was telling my team that the 2026 season is far gone, but then it started to get a little bit better. Eventually I got my momentum going. I have gained a lot from the races in the last couple of weeks and I was running smoother and smoother.
“Being injured, I was fearing the worst outcome and did not know if I would be able to run at all, especially at this level," he added. "This is amazing, I am extremely happy.”
Hocker had mixed feelings about the race: “When you are on the podium then you are capable of winning so I feel like that and I'm a little bit disappointed but also happy, if that makes sense. It's a unique championship, I'm happy to be a part of it and excited about Sunday for the 1500m. This is an unbelievable field and it will be a great race too.”
Wolfe was pleased with his third-place finish, having not felt his best. “I guess I would have taken this bronze beforehand but I am definitely disappointed because I really thought I had a shot to win,” he said. “My legs just weren't there today over the last 100m – they felt dead – so I am content with the result but I am hungry for more.”
Cathal Dennehy for World Athletics
