This race may not have been graced with the presence of double World 10,000m champion Kenenisa Bekele but Sileshi Sihine made an able substitute in the absence of his Ethiopian team-mate.
The world silver medallist maintained Ethiopia’s dominance of the distance races by winning a slow, tactical battle in 13:39.40 after a devastating sprint finish.
Uganda’s Boniface Kiprop was the man unlucky enough to be outkicked but he hung on for second in 13:40.03 while Ethiopian Abebe Dinkesa Negera came late for third in 13:40.24.
Kiprop took the early pace, leading the field through 1k in 2:56.50 before Sihine took over the leading duties. These two swapped the lead as they ticked off the laps with the whole field bunched behind them.
They passed 2k in 5:41.90, 3k in 8:24.27 and 4k in 11:14.45 – with Sihine to the fore the whole way. But no-one made a move until they hit the bell when Sihine and Kiprop wound up the pace.
Sihine edged ahead down the back straight and unleashed his finishing kick around the bend. It was too good for Kiprop and no doubt attracted admiring glances form the watching Bekele.
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