Another
world best as Sammy Kipketer sets new 5000m road mark
Running USA Wire (Jennifer Gross)
26 March 2000 – Carlsbad, USA - Eighteen-year-old Sammy Kipketer of Kenya in his first trip to the United States shaved 12 seconds off the world best in 5000 metres on the road finishing in 13 minutes flat at the Carlsbad 5000. The world best mark has held since 1992, when fellow countryman Kenyan William Mutwol ran 13:12.
Kipketer who won the silver medal in last weekend's 4km race at the World Cross Country Championships in Portugal collected $15,000 for his win, including $5,000 for his first place finish and a bonus of $10,000 for setting a new world best performance.
"I didn't know I was on world record pace until after I finished the race," said Kipketer who ran his first mile in 3:59. "It was sweet for me."
The Kenyans swept the top five spots in the Men's Invitational. James Koskei took second with a time of 13:22, followed by Reuben Kiprop and Philip Kirui with 13:30 and Felix Limo with 13:31. Dan Browne from Lafayette, Colorado was top American in 13:37, good for sixth and a personal road record.
In a day of records, Deena Drossin of Alamosa, Colorado set the American record for 5K, running 15:08, six seconds off the old mark set by Vicki Huber at Carlsbad in 1992. She was three seconds shy of the world record established by Kenyan Rose Cheruiyot at Carlsbad in 1995. Drossin collected $5,000 for the win plus an additional $5,000 for setting the American record.
"Turning the corner into the crowd was one of the most inspiring moments of my life. The crowd made the difference," said Drossin. "I had extra fire in my eyes today after a disappointing last weekend at the World Cross Country Championships."
Mexico's Nora Roche placed second with a time of 15:20, followed by Eyerusalem Kuma of Ethiopia with 15:23. Oregon's Marla Runyon, who is legally blind, finished fourth with 15:24, while 1997 Carlsbad champion Sally Barsosio took fifth with 15:25.
Another world record was set in the Men's Wheelchair Invitational by Saul Mendoza of Mexico City, who finished with a time of 10:12. The old record held for only one year. Jeff Adams of Canada raced for the top spot last year with a world record time of 10:25. Adams placed third overall this year with 10:36, behind Aaron Gordian, also of Mexico City, who finished second with a time of 10:14.
Kipketer's record-breaking performance brings to ten the number of world best marks that have been set on Carlsbad's course.
Results at http://www.eliteracing.com
