Men 3000 metres Steeplechase
As we have become so accustomed to on the athletics circuits of the world and as presaged in the heats of this event, Kenya made it a double with gold and silver in the 3000 metre steeplechase.
In the early stages, an optimistic and overly ambitious Stephen Murphy of Great Britain was leading the field, taking the leaders through 1000 metres in 2.54.45, but the young Briton was unable to stand the pace in the 30 degree heat and high humidity prevailing in the National Stadium and eventually finished in last place.
Meantime, the masters of the event had taken over, with Michael Kipyego and David Kirwa from Kenya sharing the lead, closely followed by Qatar’s Abubaker Ali Kamal. Just behind them in a small following pack were Poland’s Radoslaw Poplawski and Fernando Alex Fernandes from Brazil, with the rest of the field gradually stringing out behind them.
With Kipyego and Kirwa alternating the pace, moving forward and then letting the pace fall off to allow the followers to catch up, it was Kipyego, who led at 2000 metres which he passed in 5:44.71.
Coming up to the final bend, the three leaders, the two Kenyans and Kamal gradually turned up the pace, with all three getting their feet wet at the water jump but maintaining the positions that would see Kipyego take gold in 8:29.54; Kirwa silver in 8:31.44 and Kamal bronze with a new national junior record of 8:33.67.
Further back in the race, national junior records were also set by Halil Akkas (TUR) – 8:50.17 (6th); Mohammed Ali Al-Banai (KSA) – 8:52.38 (8th); Arkangelo Roko (SUD) –8:54.81 (10th).
