Exciting racing in Düsseldorf - Paul Kipsile Koech from Kenya won a fast race in Germany in 13:02,95, which is the 6th fastest indoor 5000m time recorded ever. Koech and Komen advised their pacemakers Kosgei and Rono well ahead of the start that a race time of 13:05 should be beaten today. The pace was up from the start with an unbelieving crowd not expecting a race that fast - the first 1000m were done in 2:35,39, the second 1000m still in 2:37,19.
That divided the field early and left only Koech, Komen, Rono and Rashed in the lead. As Rono stepped out of the race, Rashed could not hold on to the two guys in the lead and dropped. All looked set for a sprint finish as Koech and Komen entered the last two laps together. But then Komen misinterpreted the bell and stopped the race one lap early. He took up the race again but, of course, Koech was gone and took the win. The crowd went wild, although they did not get their sprint finish, but the year best time from Koech was celebrated adequately. Komen still managed to run a 13:06.27, 3rd place went to Daniel Lemashon Salel (KEN) in 13:15.89.
In the 1500m race favourite Augustine Choge took the much expected win in a time of 3:36,75. So did Juri Borsakowski in the 800m with a late surge in the last 50m that gave him the win in 1:45,77.
Thanks to Markus Flade for the report and pictures
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