by Larry Eder
In an arena where great middle distance races are part of the fabric, the 50th Bislett Games once again produced a night of compelling races and in the night’s showpiece event – the Dream mile – it was a former world and Olympic champion who once again reigned supreme.
There was class, there was courage and there were champions in abundance on what was a perfect evening in Oslo, and it was all capped off by a man who has those attributes in abundance, Asbel Kiprop, running a perfect race to win in 3:51.45.
Ayanleh Souleiman was the only athlete to commit to the pace over the first two laps, but he was left isolated at the front 600m from home. Further back, Kiprop and Kenyan teammate Silas Kiplagat were slowly ratcheting up the pace and with 200m to go, they sailed past Souleiman, whose race was run.
Entering the home straight, Kiprop unleashed his long stride and potent finishing burst to move clear of Kiplagat, who finished second in 3:51.72. Back in third, Belgium’s Pieter-Jan Hannes ran the race of his life to set a national record of 3:51.84.
“I feel like home here,” said Kiprop. “Fourth time and fourth win. I knew Souleiman asked for a very fast pace, but for the rest it was too fast and going into the last lap we were nearly all together. At that time I was thinking there is a good chance I can win again.”
Magnificent Muir gets just reward
In the women’s 1500m, Great Britain’s Laura Muir ran a race full of courage from the gun, slotting in behind pacemaker Selma Kajan and quickly separating herself from the field. It wasn’t a record attempt of any kind, but when Kajan stepped aside after 800m and left Muir alone in front, there were shades of the golden era for British middle distance in the ’80s and throwbacks to the many times Seb Coe, Steve Ovett and Steve Cram led international fields a merry dance in the Bislett Stadium.
Over the final 400m, Faith Kipyegon charged from the pack and went on the hunt for Muir, but it was too little, too late for the Kenyan and Muir held on to win in 4:00.39 to Kipyegon’s 4:00.94. “I heard them coming as the crowd got louder but I managed to keep on running,” said Muir. “I think this is my biggest win of my career.”
Ethiopia’s Genzebe Dibaba made a bold bid to break the 5,000m world record but as the wind blew strongly across the track throughout her race, it soon became clear that the chances of her breaking sister Tirunesh’s record were fading. Dibaba, nonetheless, came home an easy winner in 14:21.29.
“I tried hard, but the pacemakers could not do what I needed,” said Dibaba afterwards. “The cold and wind also played a role but overall I’m okay with the race. I did my best. I’m not sure whether I will try to break my sister’s record again. My full concentration will go towards the Beijing World Championships and the 5,000m.”
Gardiner grows in stature
The Bahamas’ Steven Gardiner emerged as a future star for the Caribbean nation when taking victory in the 400m in a personal best of 44.64 seconds, well clear of Britain’s Matthew Hudson-Smith in second (45.09) and Pavel Maslak (45.39). “I did not expect to run such a fast time,” said Gardiner. “I still consider myself a newcomer at the distance.”
Jairus Birech was equally dominant in the men’s 3,000m steeplechase, taking the lead early in the race and running alone thereafter; in the end, he took a facile win in 8:05.63. “I wanted to run 8:00 or 7:59,” said Birech, “but the wind was too tough and the pacemakers slow. With quick pace I can go 8 minutes in the next races.”
There was a big surprise in the men’s high jump, China’s Guowie Zhang taking some big scalps, and the win, with a best clearance of 2.36m. Italy’s Marco Fassinotti equalled the national record with a 2.33m clearance, while Mutaz Essa Barshim was below top form, finishing third with a best clearance of 2.33m.
Britain’s Greg Rutherford continued his rich vein of form by taking victory in the men’s long jump, his best effort of 8.25m coming in the third round and giving him a 21cm winning margin over USA’s Michael Hartfield. “So far I must say I’m very satisfied with the season,” said Rutherford. “Now I have three good weeks training in front of me.”
Sprint hurdles sensation Jasmin Stowers bounced back from recent disappointments in Rome and Birmingham to take the win in the 100m hurdles from Brianna Rollins, both athletes running 12.84 seconds. Rollins led into the last hurdle but clipped the barrier, which allowed Stowers to overtake her in the shadow of the finish line.
Lemaitre back on top
Christophe Lemaitre was impressive in the men’s 200m, charging clear of the field over the final 50m to win in 20.21 from Anaso Jobodwana (20.39). “I could have run faster, but it was a little bit colder and we also felt the wind,” said Lemaitre. “It is very important for me that I won this race, but you should see the best from me in Beijing. I want to win a medal there and I will try in both sprints.”
Murielle Ahoure was best in the women’s 100m, taking the win over Veronica Campbell-Brown in 11.03 seconds. “It was too chilly and windy to get a real fast time,” she said. “I was happy with the execution of the race.”
In the women’s triple jump, Caterine Ibarguen continued her dominance, taking the win over Gabriela Petrova with a best of 14.68m. “Every win is good,” she said, “now I have 25 in a row and I want to continue as long as possible. I have three goals for this year: World Championships, Diamond League and Panamerican Games.”
Elsewhere in the field events, Germany’s Christina Schwanitz was a convincing winner of the women’s shot put with a best throw of 20.14m.
