Zurich 5k and steeple

IAAF reports
Imane Merga knew exactly what he needed to do to end his 5000m campaign on a high. Simply put, a top-three finish would force the 21-year-old to make a little more room in his luggage for the Diamond Race Trophy. After his runner-up finish in a thrilling race, he’s now presumably making room in his carry-on luggage.

In a fast race, nearly a dozen men ran past the bell within striking distance of each other, but it was Tariku Bekele who quickly confirmed his control. As Bekele sped through the final lap en route to his 12:55.03 win, Merga had a battle on his hands over the final 300 metres courtesy of American Chris Solinsky’s towering figure. The pair ran nearly stride-for-stride, with Merga at first matching and eventually repelling each of Solinsky’s moves. Merga hung on for second in 12:56.34, less than a step ahead of the American’s 12:56.45. The first six across the line dipped under 13 minutes, Mo Farah among them in 12:57.94, shattering the 13:00.41 British national record (and former World record) set by Dave Moorcroft in 1982.

In the men’s 3000m Steeplechase, Ezekiel Kemboi won the final battle, but it was Paul Kipsiele Koech who won the war. Kemboi, the reigning World champion, burst to the lead just beyond the bell to win unchallenged, but fell a bit shy of his sub-8 goal clocking 8:01.74. Koech, who led for much of the proceedings, was a comfortable second in 8:05.48 to ally 17 series points to Kemboi’s 15.

“I knew what was going on,” said Koech, who held on to clock . “I was aware that if (Brimin) Kipruto was not around that second place was also enough to win the trophy.

Kipruto, the 2008 Olympic champion, was indeed far adrift and finished a distant 10th to take third overall.