Run-Down Forums

[VIPAM]

Saif Saaeed Shaheen will do battle with Brahim Boulami and Wilson Kipketer all three are sub 8 minute steeplers. The coach of Saif Shaheen told me yesterday that Saif (Stephen Cherono) is in at least 8:03 shape.

The women's steeple is not to be overlooked as three sub 9:30 minutes athletes do battle: the new 2000m WR Dorcus Inzikuru, USA Briana Shook, and Salome Chepchumba. The meet take place 14 June 2005 (Tues) meet 2005 Super Athens Gp.

[VIPAM]

ATHENS SUPER GRAND PRIX
14 JUNE 2005


Pos Athlete Nat Mark

1 Shaheen Saif Saaeed QAT 7:57.28
2 Boit Kipketer Wilson KEN 8:09.32
3 Misoi Kipkirui KEN 8:13.48
4 Chemweno David KEN 8:13.51
5 Amer Obaid Musa QAT 8:14.69
6 Kiprotich Wesley KEN 8:18.34
7 Boulami Brahim MAR 8:19.00
8 Mohamed Mustafa SWE 8:19.20
9 Akkas Halil TUR 8:22.00
10 Salem Jamal Bilal QAT 8:28.80
11 Kosgei Collins KEN 8:31.04
12 Oulad Bouchiba Merzak ALG 8:39.41
13 Litsi Alexandros ALB 8:42.52
14 Meroúsis Hristóforos GRE 8:54.60

[VIPAM]

ATHENS SUPER GRAND PRIX
14 June 2005

Dorcus became the second fastest woman in the event and a threat for a medal at the upcoming World Championships. Notable runner FORMER Marathon World Recordholder Telga Loroupe debuting in the steeple.

Pos Athlete Nat Mark

1 Inzikuru Docus UGA 9:15.04
2 Janowska Wioletta POL 9:25.09
3 Chepchumba Salome KEN 9:31.44
4 Tóth Lívia HUN 9:32.52
5 Izmodenova Nataliya RUS 9:35.51
6 Bahi Azzouhoum Fatiha ALG 9:38.31
7 Monteiro Inês POR 9:39.20
8 Shook Briana USA 9:49.51
9 Bobocel Ancuta ROM 9:57.12
10 Vilisova Tatyana RUS 9:58.68
11 Chaabi Bouchra MAR 10:01.79
12 Loroupe Tegla KEN 10:18.31
13 Kefalá Konstadína GRE 10:29.53

[Dan]

Those are some extremely fast winning times!

Dan
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[AM_Runner]

I saw that result as well Shaheen is head and shoulders above the rest... as soon as I saw the Tegla one though that is what blew me away especially since she had just run the Mini here in NYC on Saturday finishing 4th I believe - I emailed some one who knows Tegla to be sure of it and he was also surprised at the result
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[Dan]

I'm not overly impressed by Tegla's time. A day or two of practicing over steeple barriers and someone of her caliber should be able to easily run that fast.

Dan
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[VIPAM]

I was impressed by Tegla Loroupe for a a few reasons:

1.) Being a marathoner and stepping down to an event as short and technical as the steeple show a huge love of the sport and new events.

2.) Tegla is only 4 foot 7 inches over five and 1/2 inches shorter than the shortest person in the field and over SIX and 1/2 inches shorter than the average height of the top 5 female steeplers in 2004.

3.) Loroupe has never shyed away from competition, even when going all the way down to the 3000m and then tackling the steeple against the new 2000m WR holder. Loroupe is a marathoner and a very short one indeed, that is what impressed me most with her bravery to tackle (not master) the new event.

[Dan]

1) As you mentioned in #3, she's never been exclusively a marathoner. She's run more than her share of 3k/5k's, so the steeple isn't exactly a change in distance.

2) Yes, she is short, but I don't think that's nearly the factor many people think in the steeple. The barrier height is pretty low for the women, and you have to take into account how dang light she is. That's a lot less weight to be launching over those barriers 5x per lap, so anything she's losing in having to jump higher (I would assume she's stepping the barriers) is likely being made up by being more efficient in that movement. I've seen some pretty good short women steeplers.

Dan
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[AM_Runner]

Well I was shall we say more surprised than anything to look down the list and see her there. I was also to some extent impressed especially with her good run for 4th in the mini to come back and run the steeple over there...
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The long run is what puts the tiger in the cat.