THE DL FINAL’S long race was staged as a track 5000 for the first time since ’19 and included no fewer than four past winners — Yomif Kejelcha (’15), Hagos Gebrhiwet (’16), Berihu Aregawi (’21) and Nicholas Kipkorir (’22).
Pacing was targeted for Daniel Komen’s 12:39.74 Van Damme meet record from 1997, a World Record at the time. In even-tempo terms 2:32 kilos were called for so when rabbit Thomas Vanoppen delivered 2:34.16 and 5:08.19 (2:34.03) it was clear the contenders had trying to win a heated footrace over the final laps in mind.
After 7 laps Kejelcha led fellow Ethiopians Telahun Haile (AKA Bekele), Gebrhiwet and Aregawi, soon joined by Kenyan Kipkorir, in a break to pass 3K in 7:42.07. Way back when Komen had split 7:37.22. Haile led the quintet at 4K — 10:16.53, 8 seconds down on Komen’s 10:08.53. A mad dash was coming.
With 800 left Kipkorir made his bid, short-lived as Aregawi and Haile ran ahead with 600 remaining. Aregawi led Haile, Kejelcha and Gebrhiwet at the bell. A spirited backstretch surge took Gebrhiwet to 2nd. He advanced to a step behind the leader with just under 200 left but could not close the deal as Aregawi ran away on the final straight to win by about 4m, 12:43.66–12:44.25 — closer, on the strength of a 2:26.8 final K, to the MR than had looked likely early on.
Aregawi’s 54.1 finish outlasted the 53.9 of Gebrhiwet, too far back at the bell and even with a 26.1 split for his penultimate 200 unable to catch up.
Said the winner, “The crowd was amazing, so I´m thankful for the support today. It was cold, very cold. But losing was not an option today, so very happy with the win here in Brussels.”
Results
1. Berihu Aregawi (Eth) 12:43.66 (13.6, 27.3, 54.1); 2. Hagos Gebrhiwet (Eth) 12:44.25 (14.0, 27.8, 53.9); 3. Telahun Haile (Eth) 12:45.63 (10:16.53) (14.5, 28.7, 55.8); 4. Nicholas Kipkorir (Ken) 12:49.59; 5. Yomif Kejelcha (Eth) 12:51.21 (7:42.07); 6. Isaac Kimeli (Bel) 12:58.16; 7. Jacob Krop (Ken) 13:02.35; 8. Cornelius Kemboi (Ken) 13:05.92;… rabbit—Thomas Vanoppen (Bel) (2:34.16, 5:08.19).
