The women’s 10000m was expected to be a race between Netherlands’ Sifan Hassan and Kenya’s Hellen Obiri of Kenya, and it did not disappoint in excitement, as it turned out to be a race between Hassan and a less experienced Ethiopia’s Letensebet Gidey.
A pack of six athletes including Obiri and Agnes Tirop separated from the rest of the pack and they began to define the race until Gidey took the initiative, taking the lead until Hassan came back chasing hard.
The Dutchwoman galloped on past the bell and to the finish, completing the first part of her quest for the triple in a time of 30:17.62, a World Leading time, to set the wheels in motion for a possible sweep in the three events she has been registered for.
Gidey on her part ran a big Personal Best of 30:21.23 to win the Silver, while Kenya’s Agnes Tirop was 3rd, also with a PB of 30:25.20.
Rosemary Wanjiru had her own battle with Hellen Obiri, out-sprinting the latter on the home straight for 4th place in 30:35.75 to her compatriot’s 30:35.82, who had to settle for 5th place.
