Hassan crossed the line in 29:36:67 after 25 laps in rainy conditions to beat the previous record of Paula Radcliffe which stood at 30:01:09 since 2002.

Hassan, the 1500m and 10,000m world champion, set out on world record pace assisted by Wavelight technology built into the track but conditions proved too difficult to make a world record attempt. The new record means it’s the first time a European female athlete has completed the distance in under 30 minutes.

Sifan: “I am so happy to have run a new European record, especially a record that has stood for so long by such a strong athlete as Paula. It was a very difficult race today as it was so cold and wet. I was feeling really strong today and wished for a bit better conditions, but this record gives me a lot of confidence.”

Hans: It’s so great that Sifan was able to set a new European Record during such bad weather conditions. I have huge respect for all the athletes and their results today.”

The FBK After Summer Competition was organized by Global Sports Communication, organizers of the original FBK Games which was cancelled earlier this year due to the global pandemic. This spinoff edition was brought to life after key athletes wished to add one more race to their season with Hengelo proving the perfect grounds to organize the event.

Athletes in Hengelo included Faith Kipyegon (Olympic & World Champion) and Yomif Kejelcha (Silver medalist Doha 2019 World Championships) while middle distance stronghold Laura Weightman (GBR) took on the role of pacer extraordinaire during Sifan’s record race.

Hassan now holds European or World records at 1500m, mile, 3000m, 5000m, 10000m and half marathon.

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Aged just 18, Ingebrigsten set the world alight last year as he won double European gold over 1500m and 5000m. Racing over 5000m this coming weekend, competition to the Norwegian in London will be stiff as he faces some of the quickest in the world this year including Hagos Gebrhiwet of Ethiopia who is third quickest in the world this year.

Six Brits will tow the line including Scottish record holder Andrew Butchart, close to his personal best already this year in Rome and will be aiming to go one better in front of a home crowd. There is also exciting names such as Ben Connor, Alex Yee, Marc Scott and Nick Goolab on the entry list.

In such an exciting race it will be good to see some of the best British runners performing in front of a home crowd.

Photo: Keith McClure

The women’s race also stacked

Just like the male equivalent, the women’s 5000m has rose in stock thanks to the confirmation of Sifan Hassan in the race. Hassan is the 3000m and 5000m European record holder as well as the new world record holder for the mile after a blistering race in Monaco last Friday.

Having enjoyed such a stellar year already and clearly in the form of her life, Hassan could be in shape to break her own European record, while if conditions are favourable in London the 26-year-old could also eye Tirunesh Dibaba’s world record of 14:11.15 from 2008.

The 5000m race is also packed with British talent such as Rosie Clarke, Eilish McColgan, Charlotte Arter, Melissa Courtney and Laura Weightman, who narrowly missed the British Mile record in the very same race as Hassan broke the world record.

The Müller Anniversary Games takes place just ten weeks before the IAAF World Championships in Doha.

The two-day Diamond League event has seen history made on numerous occasions in recent years, with some memorable performances from British names such as Sir Mo Farah, Laura Muir and Dina Asher-Smith, while para athletics stars Kare Adenegan and Sophie Hahn both broke world records at the 2018 edition of the event.

Tickets for the Müller Anniversary Games are on sale at www.theticketfactory.com/british-athletics

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Julien Wanders and Sifan Hassan ran 13:29 and 14:44 to set ‘official’ male and female 5k road world records at the Monaco Run Herculis 5km on Sunday (February 17).

The distance was only recognised as a world record event by the IAAF in January 2018 with previous faster times ineligible for ‘world record’ status.

The fastest ever 5k time on the roads of 13:00 was run by Sammy Kipketer in 2000, while the quickest female time of 14:32 was run by Joyciline Jepkosgei in 2017.

When world record recognition for the road event was introduced the IAAF stated the inaugural world record would be recognised after January 1 in 2018 if the performances were equal to or better than 13:10 for men and 14:45 for women. If no such performances were achieved in 2018, the best performances of 2018 would be recognised on January 1 this year.

Switzerland’s Wanders time of 13:29 bettered the former world record by a second, while Norway’s Sondre Nordstad Moen was next across the finish line in the men’s race in a time of 13:37.

The new world record holder is coming off the strongest few weeks in his career after taking the European half marathon record from Mo Farah just last week.

Wanders is now the 5km world record holder, the 10km European record holder and European half marathon record holder.

Poland’s Krystian Zalewski ran a PB of 13:52 to finish third a few days running at the Armagh 5k.

Likewise, GB’s Luke Traynor raced in Armagh and produced a PB of 14:08 in Monaco to finish fifth, one place ahead of Adam Clarke who posted 14:11.

Hassan’s run of 14:44 in Monaco smashed the previous world record of 15:48 ran by Sarah Pagano from the USA.

Photo: Global Sports Communication

The Dutch athlete has been in superb form over the last 12 months including setting European records for 5000m and in the half marathon.

Finishing second in the women’s race was GB’s Laura Weightman who crossed the finish line in 15:29, four seconds outside her personal best.

UK based Anna Emilie Møller ran a Danish record of 15:36 to finish in third place, while Emelia Gorecka finished sixth in a time of 16:44.

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Sifan Hassan, competing in her first serious race over 13.1 miles, ran 65:15 to break the European half marathon record at the CPH Half on Sunday (September 16).

Hassan, who won European 5000m gold in August, bettered the previous record by one minute and 10 seconds. Fellow Dutch athlete Lornah Kiplagat, who like Hassan was born in East Africa, held the record of 66:25 since 2007.

“It was really hard and I always thought I would die, but I’m really happy and proud of my result,” said Hassan after her performance, which ranks her eighth on the world all-time list. “The pace was so hard, but I just kept coming back.”

Having focused predominately on 1500m racing throughout her career, Hassan stepped up to the longer distances this year and broke the European 5000m record with a 14:22.34 performance at the Rabat Diamond League in July.

The 25 year-old followed her record-breaking performance to win 5000m gold at the European Championships in August.

After a demanding season on the track, to deliver such a performance in her first serious attempt at the distance, one can expect a promising future on the roads, with only seven Kenyan athletes faster, led by Joyciline Jepkosgei’s world record of 64:51.

Photo: CPH Half

On the European all-time lists, as well as holding the top spot in the 5000m and half marathon, Hassan is also ranked second over the mile, seventh over 1500m and 11th in the 3000m.

Ethiopia’s Ababel Yeshaneh finished second in 65:46, ahead of race favourite Joan Chelimo of Kenya who clocked 66:15.

The winner of men’s race was Kenya’s Daniel Kipchumba in a time of 59:06. Kipchumba won the race in a sprint finish ahead of Abraham Kiptum and Jemal Yimer Mekonnen.

Photo: CPH Half

Double world 3000m indoor champion, Yomif Kejelcha, finished fourth on his debut in a time of 59:17.

A total of eight men inside 60 minutes, while eight women dipped under 68 minutes.

Meanwhile, in Berlin, Eliud Kipchoge clocked 2:01:39 to become the fastest marathoner ever as he stormed to victory at the Berlin Marathon. A full report can be found here.

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European 5000m champion Sifan Hassan will race for the first time over 13.1 miles at the Copenhagen Half Marathon on Sunday, September 16.

The Dutch star is among a stellar field for the annual Danish capital half marathon event, that includes 15 men who have run under the hour and eight women who have dipped inside 68 minutes.

Having focused predominately on 1500m racing in the past, Hassan joined the US-based Nike Oregon Project in 2016 and has been working towards the longer distances ever since, with European 5000m gold this month in Berlin her crowning moment thus far. The previous month, Hasan also broke the European record and Dutch national record with a 14:22.34 performance at the Diamond League in Rabat.

UPDATE: The Ethiopian born athlete was set to be joined by American training partners Galen Rupp and Jordan Hasay on the streets of Copenhagen, however, the duo have now withdrawn as they focus on the Chicago Marathon in October.

“In the world of running, it is said that CPH Half is going to be the most exciting half marathon in decades,” said Jakob Larsen, director of the Danish Athletics Federation and member of the IAAF Road Race Commission.

“An elite field boasting 15 sub-60 men, three out of four of the fastest half marathon runners over the past six years, and four out of the top-five IAAF ranked road runners, is proof of an extremely high level. Actually, I don’t think we have seen anything like this in many years.”

Women’s elite summary

While Hassan’s debut over the distance will have many watching, there are also eight leading women on the start-line with a sub-68:00 personal best. With four out of the top-ten IAAF world ranked road runners in the line-up, we have a broad field with two major favourites leading the way – one of which will be targeting the world record.

Joan Chelimo Melly, the fourth fastest woman of all time, returns after taking second place at last year’s CPH Half and has announced that she will be targeting the world record in Copenhagen. Netsanet Gudeta, who is reigning world champion and current world-record holder (women-only), is also a strong candidate to seek the win.

“Until now, a world record in the women’s race was not realistic. But with world champion Netsanet Gudeta and Joan Melly in the line-up, we will see a really fast race,” said Larsen. “Melly has announced that she will be attacking the world record, and with a personal best of 65:04 set earlier this year, she has demonstrated that she has the required level”

Men’s elite summary

In the men’s division, the odds favour the defending CPH Half champ, Abraham Cheroben, who set a 2017 world lead time in the streets of Copenhagen when breaking the tape in 58:40. The other major favourite is this year’s Berlin Half Marathon champion, Erick Kiptanui, who has announced that he will be attacking the world record in Copenhagen.

Due to the mind-boggling elite level, Jemal Yimer Mekonnen of Ethiopia, who boasts the world’s third-fastest half marathon time and an impressive 59 minutes dash set earlier this year, must see himself left outside of the favourites to take the win among a field stacked with sub-hour runners.

Also confirmed for the CPH Half is 2017 London Marathon champion Daniel Wanjiru, USA’s Leonard Korir, while outside of the sub-60:00 men, Olympian Paul Pollock will provide Irish interest.

Additionally, second and third respectively at the CPH Half last year, Jorum Okombo and Alex Korio of Kenya, will return to Copenhagen. Together with Cheroben, they were the only three men to dip under 59 minutes in 2017, ranking them eighth and 10th of all times.

Leading women

Netsanet Gudeta Kebede, ETH, 66.11
Joan Chelimo Melly, KEN, 65.04
Edith Chelimo, KEN, 65.52
Ruth Chepngetich, KEN, 66.19
Ababel Yeshaneh Brihane, ETH, 66.22
Mary Wacera Ngugi, KEN, 66.29
Meskerem Assefa, ETH, 67.42
Sifan Hassan, NED

Leading men

Abraham Cheroben, BRN, 58.40
Erick Kiptanui, KEN, 58.42
Jemal Yimer Mekonnen, ETH, 59.00
Jorum Lumbasi Okombo, KEN, 58.48
Alex Oloitiptip Korio, KEN, 58.51
Mangata Ndiwa, KEN, 59.07
Daniel Kinyua Wanjiru, KEN, 59.20
Edwin Kiprop Kiptoo, KEN, 59.26
Abrahm Kiptum, KEN, 59.36
Morris Munene Gachaga, KEN, 59.36
James Rungaru, KEN, 59.37
Amdework Walelegn Tadese, ETH, 59.50
Moses Martin Kurong, UGA, 59.50
Leonard Korir, USA, 59.52
Asefa Mengstu Negewo, ETH, 59.54

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South African star Caster Semenya has been confirmed for the Müller Grand Prix Birmingham on Saturday, August 18.

Serving as her first ever race in Birmingham, Semenya will compete over 1500m at the Alexander Stadium. The 27-year-old has enjoyed success in the UK at both London 2012’s Olympic Games and last summer’s IAAF World Championships in the same city.

Having established her status as the 800m athlete to beat following three successive world titles and back to back Olympic golds over the distance, Semenya’s outing in Birmingham over 1500m – a distance which she has claimed world bronze and Commonwealth gold in the past 12 months – will see her have one eye on breaking her own South African record time of 3:59.92 set earlier this year in Doha.

“It has been such an amazing 12 months for me and I cannot wait to continue it by competing back in the UK again and in Birmingham for the first time ever,” said Semenya, speaking ahead of competing in Birmingham.

“It is rare that I get to race somewhere for the first time, so that in particular is really exciting and will motivate me to perform very well in what I know will be a great, great race.”

Among those joining Semenya in racing over the 1500m is five-time world championship medallist Sifan Hassan (NED).

Hassan impressively won the inaugural Millicent Fawcett mile in London less than two weeks ago in a time of 4:14.71, the fourth quickest women’s mile time in history, and is sure to relish returning to Birmingham having set Dutch records on her previous two outings in the city.

Also set to be present is Gudaf Tsegay (ETH), an athlete who carries extraordinary range with sub-2:00, sub-4:00 and sub-15:00 minute personal best times for 800m, 1500m and 5000m respectively, while world championship finalists Winny Chebet and Laura Weightman are joined by 2017 European indoor finalist Sarah McDonald.

Giving her thoughts on the relationship she holds with the British crowd, Semenya added: “I have been fortunate enough to have raced at the two biggest events in Britain in recent years – the 2012 Olympic Games and the world championships last year – and they were both unforgettable.

“The supporters themselves are absolutely amazing and have always been so welcoming – when it comes to your turn to be introduced before the start of a race, you know that there is a big, big cheer waiting.

“Hopefully I can repay them in Birmingham by being part of a great race and running very well, though I know the competition will be very tough as it always is.”

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In the final Diamond League meet of the season, world and Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon, held off the world leader Sifan Hassan to take the 1500m trophy.

Hassan of the Netherlands had the advantage coming off the final bend but a storming finish from Kenya’s Kipyegon down the home straight clinched the win in 3:57.04, with Hassan crossing the line in 3:57.22.

It was a season’s best for the impressive Kipyegon, with fellow Kenyan Winny Chebet finishing third in 4:00.18.

USA’s Jenny Simpson and Great Britain’s Laura Weightman also posted season’s best in sixth and seventh respectively in the King Baudouin Stadium.

World champion Hellen Obiri stormed to a 14:25.88 win in the 5000m, with fellow Kenyan Caroline Kipkirui running a massive personal best for second in 14:27.55.

It was another standout performance by Great Britain’s Eilish McColgan as she continued her amazing season of personal bests and records.

The 26-year-old was the first European home clocking 14:48.49 as she ran sub 15 minutes for the first time, breaking her personal best by 12 seconds.

Eilish McColgan’s personal bests in 2017
Outdoor
1500m – 4:01.60 (Aug 27)
3000m – 8:31.00 (Aug 20)
3000m – 8:31:39 (July 21)
5000m – 14:48.49 (Sep 01)
10,000m – 32:10.59 (Mar 31)
Indoor
1500m – 4:19.99 (Feb 12)
3000m – 8:43.02 (Feb 18)

It is a new Scottish record and puts McColgan fourth on the British all-time list behind Paula Radcliffe, Jo Pavey and Zola Budd.

Wahh! Buzzing to run another PB – by 12s! Scottish record and 4th on the all time list! It’s been a good season! Don’t want 2017 to end pic.twitter.com/Bbmh2Hozbx

— Eilish Mccolgan (@EilishMccolgan) September 1, 2017

It was another second place for Marie-Josee Ta Lou, as Elaine Thompson pipped the Ivorian to the 100m title by one hundredth of a second.

Ta Lou has had an excellent season, running a personal best and a national record, but must be wondering when her first major win will come after another second place finish to add to her World Championships 100m and 200m silvers.

Thompson, who won the Diamond League 200m trophy last week finishes strongly after a slow start to clinch the win in 10.92 from Ta Lou in 10.93.

USA’s Noah Lyles, the fastest man this year stormed to the 200m title, with world champion Ramil Guliyev settling for third.

The 19-year-old American, who missed out on the World Championships this year posted 20.00 for the win, with compatriot Webb second with 20.01.

Amazingly out of the top five finishers, all but the teenage sensation Lyles ran season bests. Great Britain’s Zharnel Hughes and Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake finished n sixth and seventh respectively.

It was a fantastic sprint finish from world and Olympic champion Conseslus Kipruto to clinch the steeplechase title in 8:04.73 ahead of Soufiane El Bakkali of Morocco.

After a fall on the last water jump, USA’s Evan Jager recovered strongly to third in 8:11.

Shaunae Miller-Uibo became a double Diamond League Champion, adding the 400m title to the 200m won last week in Zurich. The Bahamas athlete powered her way to a 49.46 win, a season’s best and world leading time.

After failing to win the 800m world title with the favourites tag, Nigel Amos showed his true class with a comfortable Diamond League win over the distance,  ahead of Polish duo Marcel Lewandowski and Adam Kszczot. GB’s Elliott Giles came home in seventh running 1:47.03.

Sergey Shubenkov took the men’s 110m hurdles title with a 13.14 win, while Olympic champion Dalilah Muhammad won a competitive women’s 400m in 53.89 ahead of Zuzana Hejnova in 53.93. Britain’ss Eilidh Doyle finished a strong fourth in 55.04.

The post Faith Kipyegon Storms to 1500m Diamond League Crown in Brussels appeared first on Fast Running.

The Dutch star, a bronze medallist over at the World Championships, passed world 5000m champion Hellen Obiri on the final bend, for a perfectly timed sprint to the line clocking 8:28.90 in a record-breaking performance.

Germany’s Konstanze Klosterhalfen also set a new national record of 8:29.89 for second, with Margaret Chelimo Kipkemboi of Kenya in third.

Hassan said: “It has been three years since I last ran a 3000m so I enjoyed the opportunity to run the distance here.

“Racing over distances like the 800m and 3000m always surprises me but it was a fast race and I ran a very good time. The fact that it is a national record and meeting record is a nice bonus for me.”

Seven athletes set personal bests in the race including British duo Eilish McColgan and Rosie Clarke.

McColgan continued her fine form over 3000m this year finishing fifth in 8:31.00 for another personal best.

Teammate Rosie Clarke ran strongly to clock a personal best of 8:51.00, finishing 12th.

To read the full round up of the Diamond League meet in Birmingham, including how Mo Farah brought the curtain down on an illustrious track career in Britain click here.

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