Posted: May 1, 2004

Athletics: Olympic Qualifiers Galore At Cardinal Invitational

From David Monti

(c) 2004 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved RaceResultsWeekly.com

PALO ALTO (30-Apr) -- The Cardinal Invitational splendidly upheld its reputation as America's premier distance running meet as 16 athletes posted Olympic Games "A" standard times, including a whopping nine in the men's 10,000m.

It was the 25-lap men's race which produced the most excitement. In near perfect conditions with cool temperatures, low humidity and light breezes the 30 men who lined up for the race were treated to Olympic-quality pacemaking. Olympic bronze medalist Bernard Lagat, a close friend and sometime training partner of Abdi Abdirahman, worked first with miler Charlie Gruber then alone to tow Meb Keflezighi and Abdirahman through the first 2800 meters in 7:38.2. Gruber retired after the seventh lap, and Abdirahman fell back in the 11th lap, leaving Lagat to lead Keflezighi through 5 km in 13:33.5, just slightly slower than the 13:30 that Keflezighi had asked for before the race.

Lagat hung on for 15 and one-half laps, before leaving Keflezighi to finish out the race alone. The U.S. record holder for the distance had averaged 65 seconds per lap for the first 15 laps with Lagat's assistance, but began to slow to 67's and 68's until the last lap where he ran 64.8. The slippage in the pace was enough to swell the Eritrean-born athlete's finish time from the 27:04 he had hoped to run to the 27:24.10 he actually posted.

"I'm disappointed," said Keflezighi who is often hard on himself. "I didn't get an American record."

Lagat seemed energized by his pacing experience. "I give these guys a lot of respect," said the second-fastest 1500m runner of all-time.

Behind Keflezighi a pack led by Kenyan Thomas Kiplitan bowled through the finish line in 27:32.30, with Irishman Cathal Lombard scoring a surprising 27:33.53 in third, an Irish national record. Abdirahman was next in 27:34.24 assuring his sub-27:49 Olympic "A" standard, followed by Bob Kennedy (27:37.45) and an impressive debut and U.S. collegiate record by the University of Colorado's Dathan Ritzenhein (27:38.50). Dan Browne (27:42.19), James Getanda of Kenya (27:44.73), and John Henwood of New Zealand (27:45.98) rounded out the nine who got under the standard.

"I was cautious," said Kennedy who was solidly in the second pack throughout the race. "You've got to get the 'A' standard here."

The women's 10,000m produced three Olympic Games "A" qualifiers, led by Kenyan Sally Barsosio (31:18.72) and Irishwoman Marie Davenport (31:28.78) and a surprising personal best by American Kate O'Neill (31:34.37).

"I'm a little tired," said the absurdly modest O'Neill whose sister Laura also got a personal best 32:27.89. She then offered this reporter and his brother fresh baked chocolate cookies that the mother of a friend had brought them.

Heartbreakingly, Kathy Butler ran 31:45.63 in fourth place, just missing the Olympic qualifying mark that she wanted.

In the men's 5000m, Alstair Cragg ran a world-leading 13:16.98, finishing about half a minute clear of the field. His performance was complemented by Sonia O'Sullivan who made a strong statement with her 14:58.43 world leader. Shayne Culpepper (15:01.36) and Carrie Tollefson (15:04.07) also got their qualifiers (sub-15:08.70). Lauren Fleshman (15:09.98) just missed.

Other performances of interest:

. U.S.-based Briton Justin Chaston made a remarkable comeback in the men's 3000m steeplechase, running a solo 8:24.88. When a reporter said he had thought that Chaston had retired, he replied, "So did I."

. Malindi Elmore of Canada win the women's 1500m in 4:09.85, beating second place Kate Vermeulen by a comfortable margin.

. Alicia Craig, a Stanford sophomore, set a U.S. collegiate record of 32:19.97, finishing 8th in the 10,000m.

. Jason Lehmkuhle won the "B" section of the 10,000m in 28:26.95, a personal best.

. Galen Rupp, a high schooler coached by Alberto Salazar, ran an impressive 13:55.32 to win the "B" section of the men's 5000m.

Look for complete results in Monday's Race Results Weekly.

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