New WR in women's 5K

Meseret Defar runs 5000m World Record in New York - 14:24.53
Saturday 3 June 2006

New York, USA - With a scorching 61-second last lap, Ethiopia’s Meseret Defar shaved 0.15 seconds from Turkish Elvan Abeylegesse's World 5000m record of 14:24.68 when she ran 14:24.53** tonight, at New York City's Icahn Stadium.

No uncertainties for Olympic champion

With a view of the Manhattan skyline from the stadium on Randall's Island in the East River, Defar was paced by Irina Vashchuk and U.S. miler Christin Wurth-Thomas. The conditions were overcast and cool, and barely a trace of rain after several showers before the meet; while the sprinters were grumbling about the cool temperatures, the distance runners thrived.

Wurth-Thomas led though 2000m in 5:47.7 (unofficially), and 3000m in 8:42.8, before sending Defar on her way. Defar maintained a steady pace of 70-second laps until she began picking up her turnover with two remaining.

At the bell, many observers thought the record attempt might be lost, but Defar had no such uncertainties. "I was very confident when I saw the one-lap-to-go split," she said afterward.

Defar credited another Ethiopian star with the confidence to make the record attempt. "I was in Hengelo with Haile Gebrselassie last week," she said. "He encouraged me; he said, 'Go to New York, and I know you can break the world record.”

Aims for IAAF Golden League Jackpot

Defar, who already is the fastest ever over 5K on the road (14:46), admitted that tonight’s World record** was not as exciting as her Olympic title in 2004. "I will try to break the record even faster," she said. "I will run five Golden League meets, at 5000m and 3000m., and I hope to win all of them."

**World record subject to the usual ratification process