Limo wins Prefontaine Classic
With IAAF Grand Prix action in Eugene and Hengelo many PACE athletes opened their 2006 outdoors seasons. World 5000m Champion Ben Limo (KEN) stole the headlines as he ran a great race to win the 2 miles event in the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene. The tall soldier tracked pace setter Bernard Kiptum and 2003 World Champion Eliud Kipchoge through the first mile in 4:03. The order stayed the same right up until the final 200m when Limo displayed his famed finishing kick to destroy the opposition and stop the clock at 8:10.59 for the 3rd fastest time ever by a PACE athete. In the other events in Hayward Field Alleyne Francique (GRN) placed 5th in the 400m in 45.47; Diane Cummins (CAN) and Marian Burnett (GUY) took 6th and 7th in the women’s 800m [2:01.65 and 2:01.94] while Cornelius Chirchir (KEN) made a welcome return to competition with a 3:56 mile just one place ahead of Mo Farah (GBR) who clocked 3:58.
In the Fanny Blankers Koen Games in Hengelo Micah Kogo (KEN) was the top PACE performer with a 2nd place finish in the 10,000m in a new personal best time of 27:16.75. Close behind came World Cross Country 10th placer Simon Arusei (KEN) in 6th, also setting a PB of 27:22.01. Other good opening results included James McIlroy (GBR) who took 5th in the men’s 800m.
In the European Champion Clubs Cup in Valencia, Wesley Kiprotich (KEN) took the 5000m from Collins Kosgei (KEN) while they reversed the positions in the 3000mSC, Kosgei winning in a personal best 8:22.61, to Kiprotich’s 8:26.89. William Chirchir (KEN) finished 2nd in tactical 800m and 1500m races while Charles Bett placed 2nd in the 3000m.
On the roads Fabiano Joseph (TAN) was a comfortable winner of the Medio Marathon de la Rioja in Spain.
Article Tags: Ben Limo