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.
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Chepkemei has to settle for silver
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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
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