(roocha.net) — This race is not getting the same level or hype as the Women’s 5000. Had Legat won the 1,500, the hype around this race would be incredible. Nonetheless, it should be a thrilling and wide open race. Anyone of five runners, Kenenisa Bekele, Eliud Kipchoge (KEN), Moses Kipsiro(UGA), Edwin Soi (KEN) and Bernard Lagat (USA) are capable of wining this race. Unlike the 10,000 Kenenisa Bekele is not a lock.
In addition to the five Tariku Bekele (ETH), Abreham Cherkos(ETH), James Kwalia C’Kurui (QUA), Matthew Tegenkamp (USA) and Thomas Pkemei Longosiwa (KEN) are capable of wining medals. With ten of the fifteen runners being medal contenders it’s an understatement to call this a wide open race. In addition Kidane Tadasse (ERI) and Alemayehu Bezabeh (ESP) will not fade easy.
Legat did not look good in the 1,500 semi-finals. The story is that he has had a mild calf injury since the U.S. Olympic Trials in early July. Legat won the World Championship in 2007 by out -sprinting the pack in a slow race that clocked 13:45.87. The Kenyans and the Ethopians will make sure that this race is not slow forcing Legat to run a legitimate 5,000. Legat is inexperience at this distance and that could be a disadvantage. In addition, having spent most of his career as a second place finisher in the 1,500M and there are questions about how competitive he is. Is as competitive as Kenenisa? Legat has his work cutout and if he is not fully health tomorrow he will not medal.
Having twice raced against Hicham El Guerrouge, Kenenisa comes in with plenty of experience to take on Legat. He also has a team of young runners that should help him with team tactics. In two races against El Guerrouge Gebre-egziabher Gebremariam was horrible at executing team tactics as he considered himself a medal contender. This time around his brother Tariku would be more than glad to oblige. The 10,000 M Olympic Record that Kenenisa shows that he means business and is in top shape.
Moses Kipsiro of Uganda, third place finisher in Osaka continues to improve and should be ablejavascript:void(0) to keep up with the leaders to the end. Of the Kenyan runners, Eliud Kipchoge has shown that he can consistently medal. He was second behind Legat in Osaka. Having beat El Guerrouge and Kenenisa in 2003, Kipchoge is one of the most dangerous runners and should be considered one of the favorites.
Kenenisa has to be the race favorite but not by much. The other two Ethiopians are long shots to medal. While Tariku has the talent to medal he is inconsistent. Young Abreham Cherkos is very intriguing. Has shown flashes of brilliance and like all the great ones he is a great competitor. Watch closely because it might just be Abreham’s rehearsal for 2012.