To win a medal over 5000m, once again case sample is 2004 Olympics, the following splits were recorded:
Hicham El Guerrouj (GOLD, 13:14.39) closed in 12.6, 24.9, 52.6, 1:54.0, 2:57.6, and 4:01.1.
Kenenisa Bekele (SILVER, 13:14.59) closed in 12.9, 25.3, 52.9, 1:54.3, 2:58.0, 4:01.5
Eluid Kipchoge (BRONZE, 13:15.10) closed in 13.2, 25.8, 53.6, 1:55.0, 2:58.7, 4:02.0
Next best closer was 4th place finisher Gebremariam, whom closed in 4:02.1... so, in hindsight, Steve Prefontaine had the right understanding of what it takes to win Olympic Gold at 5000m: try and run the last mile in 4:00, a very difficult feat.
In order to defeat Bekele (ETH) over 10,000m you are going to have to hold a similar pace over the final 1600m, as he closed in 4:01.5 (13.8, 27.3, 53.0, 1:54.8, 2:59.7) to capture GOLD in 27:05.10. Next best closer was 4:06.0 (Sihine, SILVER).
- Ref. Track & Field News