Asbel Kiprop's cocky mile

by letsrun.com

Though he sat in second place 100m to go in Sunday's crown jewel event, [mzungo.org friend] Kenya's Asbel Kiprop knew he had it won. And he let everyone know it.

Before even passing countryman Haron Keitany, a 3:30.90 1,500m runner who also was Track and Field News' 2008 1500m runner of the year, Kiprop started to celebrate. Preparing to launch into the finishing straight, Kiprop calmly crossed himself. Then, as he passed, he did it again.

Then came another with 50m to go.

And finally, as the line approached, he gave one last Christian gesture before a playful Steve Ovett-like wave to the frenzied crowd, a couple over-headed claps, a glance over to the Hayward faithful, and finally a beautifully executed Dikembe Mutombo-style finger wag that Kiprop has made his own since the Olympic semi-final.

1 Asbel Kiprop Kenya 3:48.50
2 Haron Keitany Kenya 3:48.78
3 Nate Brannen Canada 3:52.63
4 Belal Mansoor Bahrain 3:53.05
5 Nicholas Kemboi Kenya 3:53.43
6 Lopez Lomong USA 3:53.47
7 Evan Jager USA 3:54.35
8 Shedrack Korir Kenya 3:54.77
9 Henock Legesse Ethiopia 3:54.81
10 Alan Webb USA 3:55.99
11 Peter van der Westhuisen South Africa 3:56.26
12 Will Leer USA 3:56.63
13 Leonel Manzano USA 3:58.68
14 Josephat Kithii Kenya 4:01.09
-- Moise Joseph Haiti DNF
-- Jackson Kivuna Kenya DNF

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