Olympians Langat, Aregawi, Gebrhiwet Added To adidas Grand Prix

By Chris Lotsbom
(c) Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved
May 16, 2013

A trio of top distance stars have been added to the adidas Grand Prix meeting on Saturday, May 25, in New York City, the first of two USA stops for the IAAF Diamond League. Olympic champion Nancy Langat, European Indoor Championships winner Abeba Aregawi, and World Junior Record holder Hagos Gebrhiwet will all toe the line at Icahn Stadium on Randall’s Island.

Kenya’s Langat, 31, won her only competition thus far in 2013 at the Penn Relays, timing 4:28.50 in the mile. At historic Franklin Field, the 2008 Olympic champion at 1500m bested the field by nearly ten seconds.  In New York City, though, Langat will face tougher competition as she runs the 1500m against Sweden’s Aregawi. Last week Aregawi set the world lead over 1500m at the opening Diamond League meeting in Doha. Moving away from the field in the final lap, the Ethiopian born Aregawi –who transferred allegiance from Ethiopia to Sweden in December, 2012– finished all alone in 3:56.60. Her time was a national record.

Article continues below player.
Picture of Hagos Gebrhiwet Hagos Gebrhiwet after winning the 2013 New Balance Indoor Grand Prix 3000.

Returning to the United States is Gebrhiwet, who raced in America during the indoor season.  While States-side, the 2012 Olympian set a world junior record over 3000m in Boston, timing 7:32.87. Only one week ago, the 19-year-old Ethiopian ran a world lead at 3000m, beating a stellar field at the Doha Diamond League meeting. In New York City he will run the 5000m.

Previously announced for the adidas Grand Prix was 800m Olympic champion and world record holder David Rudisha. The Kenyan also ran in Doha on May 10, where he timed 1:43.87.

“It’s a world lead but I can do better for sure,” Rudisha told Race Results Weekly last week.

Last year in New York City, Rudisha won the 800m in 1:41.74.

The 800m may be the most intriguing field of the meeting, as 2008 Olympic 1500m medalist Nick Willis, former 800m World Champion and Olympic silver medalist Mbulaeni Mulaudzi, USA indoor champion Erik Sowinski, Briton Andrew Osagie, and local favorite Robby Andrews will all be competing.

Related
Want More? Join The Supporters Club Today
Support independent journalism and get:
  • Exclusive Access to VIP Supporters Club Content
  • Bonus Podcasts Every Friday
  • Free LetsRun.com Shirt (Annual Subscribers)
  • Exclusive Discounts
  • Enhanced Message Boards