Defar Wins 3K at the World Athletics Final
IAAF - September 23, 2007

Right from the start of the 3000m Meseret Defar seemed intent on impressing her rivals. The Ethiopian, who had clocked the first sub-nine minutes time for Two Miles nine days earlier in Brussels, sprinted away in the first 200m and then passed 400m in little over 65 seconds. This was almost World record pace, but Defar had already dropped the pace significantly. Kenyans Vivian Cheruiyot, who had won the 5000m the day before, and Priscah Cherono (Kenya) came closer again but Defar kept full control.

In the last lap she stormed away again to win in 8:27.24, which was still a WAF record. Cheruiyot took second (8:28.66) and Cherono third (8:29.06). “It was a nice race today but without a pacemaker it is difficult to run fast. I expect to run 8:20 for this distance next year”, said Defar ...