Update on Galen Rupp’s American 3000m Record, Jama Aden Now Coaching Genzebe Dibaba
by: LetsRun.com
February 22, 2013
Lorenzo Nesi, the press chief for yesterday’s fabulous XL Galan meet in Sweden, has emailed us with a few tidbits on the meet.
The highlight for American fans was Galen Rupp’s 7:30.16 American record win in the 3000m.
Lorenzo’s reports that Galen’s last 3 laps of the race were unofficially 29.5-29.0-28.5. The 1:27.0 last 600m not only brought Rupp the American record, but it dropped former world 1500m champion Caleb Ndiku who finished 2nd.
For international visitors, XL Galan was highlighted by very fast performances by two women, Abeba Aregawi, now a Swedish citizen via Ethiopia, and Genzebe Dibaba of Ethiopia. Aregawi ran the #2 ever indoors, just missing the world record in the 1500m by .12 seconds. Dibaba was 3.23 seconds away from the world record in the 3000m, becoming the fourth fastest of all time.
Here’s what Lorenzo had to say about them:
“Genezebe Dibaba was even more impressive in her solo race (pacers off at 1300m) and was even ahead of the WR. I truly believe she could have reached it with better knowledge of how fast she was going & decisively with someone to push her.
A duel between Aregawi & G Dibaba would be scintillating since they seem to be in even better shape than last year when Aregawi had a 2-1 lead (Shanghai-Rome-Oslo DL-meets).
G Dibaba is now coached by Jama Aden who could register two big victories yesterday night as Soulemain (winner of the men’s 1000m) also is part of his multinational troop.”
Galen Rupp after winning the 2012 USA Olympic Trials 10,000m(photo by Jane Monti for Race Results Weekly)
*More 2012 US Olympic Trials Coverage
Jama Aden is also the coach coach of Olympic 1500m champ Taoufik Makhloufi and Abubaker Kaki. Aden has a strong US connection as he went to school in the States at Farleigh Dickinson. Later, he was an assistant at George Mason to coach John Cook (Leo Manzano, Shannon Rowbury’s coach). He also is good friends with 1500m World Champion Abdi Bile and coached Bile, later in his career. Not to mention, Aden used to train with US miling great Joe Falcon. More on Aden here. Or check out his facebook page.