Cheptegei and Gidey break world records of 10,000 and 5,000 meters

Cheptegei’s mark surpassed the record of 26: 17.53 set by Kenenisa Bekele of Ethiopia in Brussels 15 years ago, while Gidey, the 22-year-old world silver medalist in the 10,000m, eclipsed the mark of 14: 11.15 set by his compatriot Tirunesh Dibaba in Oslo in 2008.

Both runners took advantage of the ideal, windless conditions at the small Turia Stadium in Valencia in Spain, watched by a handful of masked but enthusiastic spectators.

For Cheptegei, 24, this was the third race of 2020 and the third world record, following his new mark in the 5-kilometer road race in Monaco in February and, also in the Principality, his world record of 5,000m in 12: 35.36, which stripped Bekele of the first of his great world records, the 12.37.35 mark set in 2004.

When asked during last week’s London Marathon press conference if he had any advice for Cheptegei while aiming for the 10,000 meter record, Bekele seemed momentarily puzzled, before replying: “If anyone has already broken the record for 5000 meters, how can you give them advice on a second record?

“I don’t think you need any advice from me.

“So there is no advice, just looking!”

The decision by Jos Hermens’ Global Sports Communication agency, which organized this race, not to charge for broadcast rights meant that thousands of athletics fans around the world were able to watch this distance running party at World Athletics. Youtube channel.

The optimism engendered was fully realized.

Cheptegei, who last year won the world cross country title before winning the 10,000m world gold at the Doha World Championships, had called for a consistent pace throughout, 63 seconds per lap.

That was duly provided for him, although the last remaining rider, Kenyan Nicholas Kipkorir Kimeli, who was hoping to be able to take the Ugandan to around 7,000m, had to backtrack when they passed 5,000m in 13: 07.73.

Cheptegei had half a solo effort race ahead of him, but while he had the grace to look a bit fatigued on the last lap, he stayed comfortably alongside the blue indicators provided on the inside edge of the track by Wavelight technology that can now help. runners for a walk.

The blue lights set the ideal pace, while the green lights snaking behind them indicated the current world record pace.

Cheptegei knew he was in business if he could stay the course, and he could.

Next year’s Tokyo 2020 10,000m final, if it goes ahead, could be something special, with Britain’s Sir Mo Farah looking to be there to defend his title.

“I wanted to live up to my expectations, and I have fulfilled my dream,” Cheptegei said afterwards admirably composed.

“We were trying to write history tonight, we want people to know that the track is exciting.

“This is the latest edition of what can happen and what I can achieve in the next few years.”

Before the race, former Ethiopia 10,000m world champion Haile Gebrselassie told the Olympic channel he believes that Cheptegei is fully capable of breaking 26 minutes.

“He really is a superstar,” Gebrselassie said.

“He is a talented athlete and he is simply the best.

“I’ve seen it, not just his 5000 meters in Monaco.

“Compared to the time he ran in the 5000, the 10,000 is not that difficult.

“I am concerned that if he runs less than 26 minutes it will be very difficult for others to break it.”

Gidey had started the night by breaking Dibaba’s record with flawless performance, following his speed climbing career plan for the laps, starting with 69 seconds for the first three of the 12-and-a-half distance, then moving to three of 68. , then turning to 67.

Home runner Esther Guerrero opened the pace in textbook style before giving in to Beatrice Chepkoech, Kenya’s 3,000-meter steeplechase world record holder.

Gidey, who was defeated for the world title last year by Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands, looked laid-back throughout and outplayed Chepkoech before the latter completely walked away from the race just before the athlete of the moment passed 3,000. m at 8: 31.85.

Facing the last five laps alone, Gidey’s progress was evident as she raced past the blue lights, occasionally glancing at them for reference.

The runner who realized she had won the junior cross country world title in 2015 and 2017 showed little sign of tension even on the last lap, although she certainly seemed momentarily overwhelmed as she realized what she had accomplished.

This was the best performance yet in a running career that only got off to a good start in school, when, at age 13, she was expelled for refusing to run in physical education classes.

“I really didn’t like running,” he remembers.

“I brought my parents to the school to speak with the principal in hopes of being reinstated.

“He agreed to reinstate me only if I applied to school.

“I accepted reluctantly, just for the chance to go back to school.”