Kenya’s Mercy Cherono withstood the challenge from 2014 world indoor champion Genzebe Dibaba to win the women’s 3000m Diamond Race, in 8:28.95, at the IAAF Diamond League meeting in Brussels on Friday.
The Netherlands’ Sifan Hassan came second in 8:29.38, which is a new national record, and Ethiopia’s Genzebe Dibaba finished third in 8:29.41.
A large group was huddled together for much of the race and it was only on the last lap when the real racing began in this spectacular IAAF Diamond League finale.
European 1500m champion Sifan Hassan led at the bell with 2011 world 1500m champion Jenny Simpson on her shoulder and Mercy Cherono down in seventh. With 200 metres to go, Cherono began to make her move and she kicked hard as she entered the home straight.
The world 5000m silver medallist did just enough to overtake Hassan, taking the win in 8:28.95. Hassan found some consolation in the fact she set a Dutch record of 8:29.38, becoming just the second woman in history after Maryam Yusuf Jamal to have personal bests below 2:00 for 800m, 4:00 for 1500m, 8:30 for 3000m and 15:00 for 5000m.
Ethiopian Dibaba finished third in 8:29.41 and American Simpson set a personal best of 8:29.58 for fourth.
Mercy Cherono has had a fine season and she’s capped it with a Diamond Trophy pic.twitter.com/YwkvMKGrwp
— IAAF Diamond League (@Diamond_League) September 5, 2014