As in the 10,000m, the runners in the 5,000m set off on a modest pace, Fernanda Ribeiro leading the first kilometre in 3:11.74, the slowest of the race. Kenya’s Lydia Cheromei soon took over, and pulled the pack through a pair of sub-3:00 kilometres. Paula Radcliffe of Great Britain took over the pacemaking chores, leading through 4km in 12:10.83, with her competitors bunching behind her in preparation for a kickers’ race.
Ribeiro moved first, pulling a group of four with her: Gabriela Szabo of Romania, Roberta Brunet of Italy, Radcliffe and Cheromei. With 250m left, Szabo streaked by Ribeiro and tore into the lead. Ribeiro gave chase, while Radcliffe lost ground after bumping into Cheromei.
Szabo crossed the finish with a time of 14:57.68, fairly fast considering that the first km was only 3:11.74. Ribeiro, who was trying hard to answer to Szabo's kick, was left to third place as Brunet passed her in the final straight to take the silver in 14:58.29, her best this year.
Radcliffe, who had been leading most of second part in the race, was 4th with a time of 15:01.74. Cheromei nearly walked over the finish line to take 5th in 15:07.88.
The 6th and 7th placers both produced personal best times. Liu Jianying (China) was in 6th place with a time of 15:10.64 and Libbie Hickman (USA) 7th, 15:11.15.
