A world season’s lead in the men's 5000m and a significant 800 metres were the highlights of the Nijmegen Global Athletics Meet in Nijmegen, The Netherlands, on Saturday 22 May, the traditional warm-up for the Hengelo IAAF Grand Prix which takes place next Monday (31 May).
In rainy and windy conditions the Dutch 800m runner Bram Som qualified for the Athens Olympics thanks to a 1:45.59 performance at this picturesque venue which is surrounded by forest near this Dutch town.
Som who is a sergeant in the Dutch army was already pre-selected for Athens but had to prove his form. He needed to run 1.47.00 and did so with his 1.45.59 with which he kicked away from his opponents after 600 metres.
Nijmegen also witnessed a 13:15.84 run in the 5000m by Kenyan Bernard Chepkok, a time which is currently the fastest time in the world this year.
Wim Van Hemert for the IAAF
Women
800m
1 Najla Jaber NED 2.03.64
2 Lotte Visschers NED 2.03.88
3 Gladys Kwambai KEN 2.06.15
4 Kelly Reid IRE 2.06.46
1500m
1 Lisa Dobrinsky GBR 4.13.36
2 Janina Goldfuss GER 4.19.66
3 Workitu Ayanu ETH 4.21.31
4 Adrienne Herzog NED 4.21.79
5 Kerstin Werner GER 4.22.87
Men
800m
1 Bram Som NED 1.45.59
2 Werner Botha RSA 1.47.64
3 Rickard Pell SWE 1.47.96
1500m
1 Brimin Kipruto KEN 3.37.97
2 Tim Clerbout BEL 3.41.00
3 Clyde Colenso RSA 3.41.34
5000m
1 Bernard Chepkok KEN 13.15.84 world seasons best
2 Henry Sugut KEN 13.16.59
3 Monder Rizki BEL 13.23.77
4 Bernard Kipyego KEN 13.24.27
5 Erik Sjöqvist SWE 13.34.16
6 Nathan Naibei KEN 13.35.92
7 Gilbert Koech KEN 13.38.28
8 Sander Schutgens NED 13.39.13
