BEIJING — Matthew Tegenkamp of the United States has run the fastest time in the preliminary round of the Men’s 5000m at the National Stadium.
Tegenkamp’s time of 13:37.36 minutes put him ahead of Kenya’s Eliud Kipchoge at 13:37.50 and Ethiopian Tariku Bekele who ran in 13:37.63.
Kipchoge is renowned for performing on the big stage, something he proved by winning gold at the 2003 World Championships and silver at the same event in 2007.
This round one result will reinforce Tariku Bekele’s standing as one of the pre-race favorites. The reigning World Indoor Champion sits second on the world lists for 2008 with 12:52.45. Beijing was the site of his World Junior Championship victory in 2006.
Tariku’s older brother, Kenenisa Bekele has also qualified for the final and will aiming to win the 5000m / 10,000m double and deny Bernard Lagat of the United States the chance to win another international title in the Men’s 5000m in the final on Saturday, August 23.
Lagat will want to redeem himself after a sub-standard performance in the 1500m with a repeat of his victory in the event at the 2007 world championships.