Tadesse takes long route to final
When Tadesse Zersenay learns to run his races in by the shortest possible route, the Eritrean could prove to be a real force to be reckoned with internationally.
Zersenay was one of a number of runners from the 10,000 metres final earlier in the week who lined up for tonight's heats of the 5,000m.
And, in common with his previous run, the little Eritrean zig-zagged his way throughout the heat, ducking into and out of the pack, occasionally getting a bump or a shove from a rival.
Racing in the first heat, won by Isaac Songok in 13:20.36, off a 2:32.31 last kilometre, Tadesse ultimately placed sixth, and so outside the automatic qualifying places. But his 13:22.36 was quick enough, just, to squeeze into Sunday's final as one of the seven fastest losers.
Given that the second heat was run at a generally quicker pace, with another Kenyan winner in Eliud Kipchoge, clocking 13:12.86, as the first five finished in under 13min 15sec, the final promises to be a spectacular clash between the east Africans, as Ethiopia also qualified three for the final, including 18-year-old Tariku Bekele (runner-up in heat one in 13:20.66), the brother of the 10,000m champion, Kenenisa Bekele.
The elder Bekele apparently got his wish not to run in the 5,000, since he was not among the competitors in either heat tonight.
