Kenyan Yusuf Biwott and Ethiopian Meselech Melkamu set World-leading times today at the 49th Zlata Tetra - Golden Spike (IAAF World Challenge series meet) in Ostrava, Czech Republic.
The 23-year-old Biwott won a three-man 3000 metres race in a world-leading personal best of 7:31.68, establishing a new Golden Spike meeting record in the process.
Biwott, out-sprinted a class field that included reigning world indoor 3000 metres champion and two-time Olympic medallist Bernard Lagat with career-best times also coming from compatriot John Kemboi (7:32.16).
Lagat finished third in 7:32.49 and Remmy Limo was fourth in 7:35.44.
In her first track competition of the season, African record holder Meselech Melkamu of Ethiopia followed Kenyan Pauline Korikwiang closely during the final stages of the women's 10,000 metres and then sprinted strongly over the final lap for a world-leading 31:04.52 win.
Melkamu covered the last 400 metres in 64.8, but missed the Golden Spike meeting record by only 1.15 seconds. Korikwiang, who was competing in the event for the first time, was second in 31:06.29 and Portugal's Jessica Augusto clocked 31:19.15 in third.
Kenya's David Rudisha won the men's 800 metres in 1:44.03, compatriot Boaz Lalang and Poland's Marcin Lewandowski moved strongly to the finish in 1:45.02 and 1:45.04, respectively, with Adam Kszczot of Poland fourth in 1:45.74.
"I'm happy with this time, even though I was hoping to run faster," said Rudisha.
"I wanted to break the meeting record (1:43.24) but the weather was against it. I'm not thinking about the world record yet because I don't want this extra pressure.2
"More important for me is to have stable performances throughout the year and have as many possible times between 1:42 and 1:43," he added.
Meselech Melkamu of Ethiopia
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