It is, well a conundrum.
A world record means that one person, or a team has run faster or farther than ever before in human history. That is, or should be, mind numbing. (My guess is that some Neandertal probably ran pretty fast, but since he or she became part of a carnivore, no record).
On October 7, 2020, Letensebet Gidey achieved a dream that she had for over six years. Letensebet wanted to see her name next to the 5000m world record. She achieved it on Wednesday, 7 October 2020.
Letensebet Gidey, photo by NN running team
I have watched the NN video 3 times. The last time, I did it without the sound.
Letensebet Gidey has a smooth running style. Her level of fitness is so high that, she made it look easy. The level of fitness in a world record attempt is so high, that one looks easy, when, one is putting all that they have into the 12.5 laps.
Letensebet Gidey hit the 1000m in 2:51.1 behind a pace maker, then smooth running (5:42.7) at 2000m and 3000m (8:31.35) behind Beatrice Chepkoech. At 3000m, Letensebet Gidey went on her own, and pushed it to 2:48 pace, (11:19 at 4000m) and then, the last push, a 2:47 on the last thousand meters, all by her lonesome.
The distance runner, when pushing oneself, gets into that desolate place, where one must answer the demons and take the challenge. Letensebet Gidey set a world record with about 75,000 viewing the event live. Letensebet battled the self doubt we all have, and showed us the positives on accepting the challenge.
Congrats to Letensebet Gidey on her world record at 5000m, which is now, due to her magnifiscent run, 14:06.62.
Letensebet #Gidey 🇪🇹 is the new 5000m WR holder clocking 14:06.62!
Gidey smashed the World record of Tirunesh #Dibaba 🇪🇹 (14:11.15, Oslo) by 5 senconds!!!1,000m 2:51.1
2,000m 2:51:6 (5:42.7)
3,000m 2:49 (8:31)
4,000m 2:48 (11:19)
5,000m 2:47 (14:06.65)#NNValenciaWRDay pic.twitter.com/fnENNBQ1Is— Juan Ochando (@OchandoSports) October 7, 2020
Letesenbet Gidey shatters 5000m world record!
Letensebet Gidey, photo by NN running team
Letesenbet Gidey ignited the NN Valencia World Record Day with a spellbinding performance to obliterate the women’s 5000m record by more than 4 seconds margin and record a stunning 14:06.62.
Aided by pacemaking duo Esther Guerrero and Beatrice Chepkoech and the Wavelight technology, the 22-year-old Ethiopian produced a beautifully judged run to destroy the world record of her compatriot Tirunesh Dibaba.
Running in a temperature of 22c inside the Turia Stadium, Letesenbet hit the 3km checkpoint in 8:31.85 – well ahead of her target time – and running with her trademark rhythmic flowing style she would not be denied.
Just after 3km she put in a scintillating lap of 66 seconds and looking untroubled and composed the stylish World 10,000m silver medallist romped to her place in history.
“I dreamed for this record for 6 years, I want to thank Valencia for giving me this chance.”