2013 Worlds Men’s 1500m Final: Kiprop Wins, Centro Silver, Kenyan Strategy Not Executed
by: LetsRun.com
August 18, 2018
Silas Kiplagat Asbel Kiprop led the first lap in a modest 59.68, then his Kenyan teammate Nixon Chepseba led throught 1200 (1:59.24, and 2:56.41). This one came down to the final 100m as most of the field was still in contention. Asbel Kiprop was clearly best, American Matt Centrowitz moved up for silver, and Johan Cronje of South Africa got bronze.
Three quick thoughts and some insight from Asbel Kiprop on the failed Kenyan strategy.
1) Asbel Kiprop Is the Best 1500m Runner in the World
Slow race, fast race, it doesn’t matter. He’s the best. He only loses when he makes a tactical mistake which he didn’t do here.
2) Silver for Centro
If Kiprop is the best 1500m runner in the world under any circumstances, Centro is the second best in a slower race. Bronze two years ago, fourth last year, silver here.
3) Silas Kiplagat Does Not Execute the Kenyan Strategy
The Kenyan plan according to Asbel Kiprop who we just spoke too was for the three runners to alternate leading the first 3 laps with the first one in 57 seconds. Silas Kiplagat was supposed to take the first one, Kiprop the second, and Chepseba the third. Kiplagat was no where near the front on the first one and Kiplagat led it through a modest 59.68. plan was compromised. The slow pace opened it up for the likes of Centro and Cronje.
If the race is fast, the Kenyan liked would have swept the medals, instead they took home only one.
Results
| 1 | Asbel KIPROP |  KEN |
3:36.28 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | Matthew CENTROWITZ |  USA |
3:36.78 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3 | Johan CRONJE |  RSA |
3:36.83 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4 | Nixon Kiplimo CHEPSEBA | KEN |
3:36.87 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 5 | Homiyu TESFAYE |  GER |
3:37.03 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6 | Silas KIPLAGAT | KEN |
3:37.11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 7 | Mekonnen GEBREMEDHIN |  ETH |
3:37.21 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 8 | Henrik INGEBRIGTSEN |  NOR |
3:37.52 | ss | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 9 | Mohamed MOUSTAOUI |  MAR |
3:38.08 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10 | Nathan BRANNEN |  CAN |
3:38.09 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 11 | Florian CARVALHO |  FRA |
3:39.17 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12 | Chris O’HARE |  GBR |
3:46.04 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SPLITS | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 400m | Asbel KIPROP | KEN |
59.68 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 800m | Nixon Kiplimo CHEPSEBA | KEN |
1:59.24 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1200m | Nixon Kiplimo CHEPSEBA | KEN |
2:56.41 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
More coverage coming.
Get all of our 1500m coverage in our 1500m Worlds Special Page.
