Kosgei crowned 10,000m Games

30 July 2002

Records all round as the women’s 10,000m provides drama and excitement at a number of levels.

Chepkemei has to settle for silver

Australian Susie Power and the Kenyans Susan Chepkemei and Selina Kosgei broke away at the midway stage leaving the rest of the field strung out to contest a number of individual battles.

By the 21 minute mark, all three women were running well inside of their lifetime bests.

It was the little known Kosgei (31:27.83) who had the beating of the field. Coming up to the final lap, the 25-year-old still had enough strength remaining to pull away from compatriot Chepkenei (31:32.04).

Kosgei made her mark on the international stage in stunning style, smashing the Games record.

Melbourne-born Power (31:32.20) was delighted with her bronze having missed out on medals at a number of major championships. The third place finish was a triumphant comeback from an Achilles injury that had set her back three operations since 1998.

However, this was not just a race about winners. England’s Liz Yelling (31:58.39) produced a tremendous solo effort, having to pace herself without any other athletes around her. She not only recorded a personal best, but posted a time just behind Yvonne Murray on the all time British list.

Yelling said afterwards: “I’m well chuffed – I was inside the qualifying time the World Championship next year.

“It’s never pain free, but knowing I was on course for a personal best helped.”

There was reason to celebrate for Liz’s sister-in-law, Hayley Yelling (32:29.73) who also came home in a personal best time.

England’s Jo Wilkinson, Gillian Palmer, and Allison Higgins of Scotland claimed the sixth, seventh and eighth spots.

View the full results here