by Larry Eder
Dejan Gebremeskal after the 2011 NB Indoor GP 3,000 meters, photo by PhotoRun.net!
Image via Wikipedia
Defending Champion Eyes
World Record at 2011 Carlsbad 5000
Top-ranked 5000m runner Eliud
Kipchoge set to attack 13 minute barrier
CARLSBAD, Calif. – March 31, 2011 – Eliud Kipchoge, the 2010
Carlsbad 5000 champion, is returning for Sunday’s race, not only seeking
another victory but also a world record. Kipchoge, the 26-year-old Kenyan, has
every reason to be optimistic.
“He was very disappointed he didn’t do it last year,” said Matt
Turnbull, Elite Athlete Coordinator. “He was in good shape, but it was very
windy at the start. Now, he knows what the course is all about. He’s been
training hard for it.”
The weather forecast for Sunday calls for ideal running
conditions with the temperature in the low to mid-60s and a little cloud cover.
“He’s in better shape this year,” Turnbull added. “If we
don’t get the winds coming off the Pacific, it could be worth 8-10 seconds to
him this time.”
Last year, Kipchoge won in 13:11, making his move after two
miles and finishing seven seconds ahead of the field. Kipchoge’s tireless
training already has paid off this year; he has set personal bests for 3000 and
5000 meters indoors.
“This is a fantastic course and a fantastic crowd,” said
Kipchoge, who shares his name with Kipchoge Keino, widely known as the father
of Kenyan athletics. Last year’s race was Kipchoge’s first 5000 race on the
roads and his time made him the third-fastest individual finisher in history. He
is prepared to again chase the world mark of 13:00 set by Sammy Kipketer of
Kenya at Carlsbad in 2000 and equaled by him in 2001.
“In 2010, I wanted to run fast and attack the world record,”
Kipchoge said. “I tried very hard but on the day I had to fight the wind and
that made it very hard for me to break 13 minutes. This year, I feel as though
I’m in better shape. I’ve been pushing myself and my training has definitely
gone well. I’ve run 7:29.37 for 3000 meters and 12:55.72 for 5000 meters …
“I know Sammy Kipketer’s world record has been there for 10
years now, but it really is an ambition of mine to get that world record. I’m a
5000-meter runner and I want that record. I’m working towards it and I hope
that (Sunday) it will be my name against the mark.”
In order to get the record, Kipchoge will have to stave off a
formidable field of contenders. Foremost among them is Ethiopian Dejene
Gebremeskel. Gebremeskel, 21, was last year’s runner-up at Carlsbad and was
ranked No. 4 in the world over 5000 meters in 2010. He also is coming into
Sunday’s race in top shape, having run a PR of 7:35.37 for 3000 meters indoors
at Boston in February. His track PR for the 5,000 is 12:53.56.
The other top contenders in the men’s field include
Australian Ben St. Lawrence and American Bobby Curtis. St. Lawrence, making his
third appearance at Carlsbad, ran a huge PR of 13:10.08 at the Melbourne Track
Classic on March 3. He is the Australian 5K and 10K champion. Curtis, 26, was
ranked No. 4 in the U.S. in the 5K and 10K last year. The former Villanova
runner ran 13:18.97 for 5000 meters and 27:33 for 10,000 in 2010.
The Carlsbad is known as the “World’s Fastest 5K”
because 16 world records, 8 U.S. records, along with numerous national and
age-group marks have been set on the scenic oceanfront course. The elite field of
world-class athletes will be joined by the best masters runners in the U.S. for
the 26th running of one of the marquee events on the international road race
circuit.
The event began in 1986, and Steve Scott, the
great American miler and Olympian, won each of the first three years, giving
the race tremendous credibility. After that, “people wanted to come here,”
Turnbull said. “They thought it was the fastest course. I don’t think it’s the
fastest course. It’s the personnel that make the race as opposed to the
course.”
This year, the
personnel is definitely there.
About the Carlsbad 5000
The 26th running of the Carlsbad 5000 annually attracts
amateur, competitive and professional runners from around the world. It is the
only road race from a commonly run distance in the world that is home to the
world records and its home country records for both genders. Race day begins at
7:05 am with the Masters Men 40 and over, the first of nine races that will
take place throughout the morning. The ‘Party by the Sea’ gets started as soon
as the first racers cross the finish line. After enjoying the scenic 3.1 mile course,
runners can step into the beer garden, sip two free brews and then rock out to
a live band. The main event, featuring the world’s fastest professional
athletes, begins at 12:15pm. The event is the home of the current world 5K road
records: 13:00, Sammy Kipketer (KEN), 2000 & 2001, and 14:46, Meseret Defar
(ETH), 2006.
Race weekend kicks off with a pre-registration party on
Friday, April 1 for the Junior Carlsbad hosted at Visit Carlsbad. On Saturday,
April 2 more than 3,000 junior racers, age 12 and under, will take part in one
of the eleven age group races. All runners receive a t-shirt and finisher’s
medal for their efforts. Awards will be presented to the top junior athletes
ages five-12. Registration for both the Junior Carlsbad and Carlsbad 5000
is available race weekend. For more information or to view the full race day
schedule, visit www.carlsbad5000.com or
call 800-311-1255.
