Defar Missed WR because of Lapped Runners

more insight:

as commented on in the letsrun write-up on the 3000m event, the women who did go wide to allow Defar through happened to be my fiance Hilary Edmondson. She was really shaken up after the race, regardless of a sub 9:10 new 3000m PB, thinking she might've cost Defar the WR.- but had no idea that Defar was that close to them. Hilary was dissapointed that no meet directors told them or warned them whatsoever on the back stretch that Defar was coming- as she then would've moved out earlier.

But interestingly enough, the women who DIDN'T cut out, was another Ethiopian. Hilary said that two young Ethiopians (Mestawat Tadesse and Berhane Hirpasa) went out hard with the leaders through 800m and then starting coming back hard. They ended up running around 9:10 as well (same time as Hilary). She was trying to get around one of the slower Ethiopians when she heard Defar and immediately moved out to allow her by.

To other posters as well, it is tough putting together a race like this together- as many of these very good North American female runners need chances to rip it up as well. It seems much easier for guys to find sub 8min races in North American, then women to find 3000m that are going to break 9:10. Consistenly, the only race that women know is going to go sub-9:10 indoors is this Boston race (of course other races do as well, but you aren't as assured of that). I mean Carmen Douma-Hussar, who ran 8:59 and is also the world indoor 1500m silver medalist and Olympic 1500m finalist nearly got lapped as well!

Probably in the end, better communication and warning is needed during the race.

Thanks, Steller. And interesting note about the other Ethiopians! If anyone might have known and given her some space, surely it was them...