Ethiopian Trials 10000m tomorrow in Holland...Startlists

Unfortunately Gebremeskel isn't in the same 12:46 form (13:03 in Rome) fell off a bit and dropped out of DL New York 5k

I'm not sure what has happened to Gembremeskel ... he did run a bit faster in Rome though (13:00xx) but down in 8th or so. He was right there with 100 to go, but didn't have that same kick.

Ethiopians ahead of him were Kejelcha (1st 12:58), Gebrhiwet (3rd 12:58xx), Merga (4th 12:59) and Edris (6th 13:00xx).

That was his first big track 5K in a long time, so he isn't too far behind or far off. Plus, I'd imagine Merga will do only the 10K ... possibly Edris too, and Alamirew has looked bad so far this year.

NY was just a odd race, between the no-shows, drop-outs and glacial pace. He had a terrible race in NY in 2013 (13:31) then a few weeks later ran that 26:51 in Sollentuna.

After the Paris 5K in 2012, with that time and that incredible kick the last 50m or so to blow Gebrhiwet's doors off, I thought Gebremeskel was really going to do special things.

Then 2013 he focuses on 10K, had a great debut, didn't race much if any between then and world's and bombed at worlds. I read an interview with him where he said he simply overtrained and had nothing left by worlds.

Last year, he was great on the roads early (Carlsbad, BAA, etc), talked up trying for a very fast time in Paris 5K, debuted late in the season at Oslo (7th in 13:09, 8 sec off winner), then didn't race again or had a dnf somewhere after that and didn't race again, if memory serves.

Not sure if he was injured or what. The point of all the history is he hadn't really ran a big track 5K since 2012. Winning in Ostrava (admittedly with a very weak field) then being in contention in Rome were good signs.

For now I'd put NY down as just an off day.

All that said, I'm not sure Gebremeskel will ever get back to 12:46 form. But around 12:50, with a good kick and maybe he can challenge Farah. I just have a feeling Farah will be a bit off this year.

Really it's too early to tell who might be a real challenge over 5K for Farah. After a few more diamond races (especially Monaco) we should know.

pics of the race: https://www.facebook.com/105501239480792/photos/ms.c.eJxF0dkRwzAIBNCOMoib~;htLwnrlzzfLIeypEamM8DSv~_MzjrsmWplOPyfHzuBT5tW1~;1vXWm9Pzr6~_hWzbXuka~;0L71PXSgXmm8R7m~;Z~;vjNfq5b7DvcN8octaPIze4BZZr2~;qSm~_8~_S7o2z~_uGg8Z78nlPH~_zPQ~_PeGHrvlVG6131zzA~;OP5gfnK~;4H7y3NeGbJ~_Zxv~_33~_f0n2mHeb7jfeb9hnvgXthB1zA~-~-.bps.a.979007598796814.1073741957.105501239480792/979008148796759/?type=1&theater

or by the link at www.atletiekweek.nl (click the article with the pic of the empty track stadium)

no doubt the 10k men belongs either Kenyan or farah at WC. i doubt any Ethiopian for medal podium. for 10k women it is wide open

Men where running 27:30 pace along way.

Last kilometer was faster with 57 last lap.

1. Muktar Edris (Eth) 27:17.18

2. Imane Merga (Eth) 27:17.63

3. Mosinet Geremew (Eth) 27:18.86

4. Adugna Takele (Eth) 27:19.34

5. Tebalu Zawude (Eth) 27:20.54

Women, without pacers, ran on schedule of 31:00

Burka ran 63 last lap

1. Gelete Burka (Eth) 30:49.68

2. Alemitu Heroye (Eth) 30:50.83

3. Beljanesh Oljira (Eth) 30:53.69

4. Mamitu Daska (Eht) 30:55.56

5. Wude Ayalew (Eht) 30:58.03

douglas burke wrote: If that is Ethiopia's women's team, then Flanagan and Huddle have a good shot at a medal.

None of these are unbeatable like Defar and T. Dibaba have been for nearly a decade, Kenya will have 3 good ones as well.

Dibaba won the 10000 in 2013 so she's already qualfied that way and she should still be able to pull of a sub 30 if necessary. There will be four Ethiopians and Dibaba will probably cruise to victory - unless that african chick competing for Turkey that only shows up for championships has something new (legal or ilegal) up her sleeve.

And don't get me started on the 5000 - With Defar already qualified and two WC debutants already going sub 14:20 this years the only question is if they're gonna use the 4th girl as rabbit to to drop the Kenyans early and collectively go for the World record together. It could be the first 1-2-3-4 long distance podium from the same country in the WC history (methinks).

mesfin wrote:

no doubt the 10k men belongs either Kenyan or farah at WC. i doubt any Ethiopian for medal podium. for 10k women it is wide open

I wouldn't be shocked if Edris gets a medal, but you are right that the team is far from being as intimidating as teams of past.

Tirunesh Dibaba had a baby a couple of months ago and said she won't run track season this year.