THE HYPE for this year’s 2-lap final may not have been as frenzied as last year — when Athing Mu dominated a rematch of the Budapest medalists — but that didn’t stop Mary Moraa from putting on a show.
The world champion a year ago and the bronze medalist in Paris last month, Moraa (56.9) gamely followed pacemaker Noélie Yarigo (56.3) through a swift opening 400. But just when it looked like the Kenyan was going to cruise home for her second DL Final title in 3 years, Georgia Bell threw in a surprising surge down the backstretch. Snatching the lead at 600 (1:27.5), the Olympic 1500 bronze medalist looked confident heading around the final curve.
Alas, Moraa clicked into high gear as they hit the homestretch and covered the last 100 in 14.5, winning in 1:56.56 (her fastest time of the season), nearly a second ahead of Bell (1:57.50).
“The weather was not good, but I pushed myself up to the limit to get the trophy,” said Moraa, who finished only 4th in last year’s final.
Bell, who was doubling in Brussels with the next day’s 1500, continued her sensational return to international competition this year. “I tried to give myself the best shot of racing Mary but you know she is finishing so strong,” said the Brit. “The track is so fast and am happy that we are still running in 1:57 this late in the season.”
Well behind them, Natoya Goule-Toppin edged Renelle Lamote for 3rd, with both clocking 1:58.94.
Results
1. Mary Moraa (Ken) 1:56.56; 2. Georgia Bell (GB) 1:57.50; 3. Natoya Goule-Toppin (Jam) 1:58.94; 4. Rénelle Lamote (Fra) 1:58.94; 5. Jemma Reekie (GB) 1:59.13; 6. Habitam Alemu (Eth) 1:59.81; 7. Halimah Nakaayi (Uga) 1:59.87.