Posted: March 24, 2005

Athletics: Tirunesh Dibaba Headlines Field at Carlsbad 5000 After Historic Wins in France

Defending Champions Berhanu, Ochichi Also Expected

CARLSBAD, Calif. - (March 21, 2005) - Fresh off her double gold medal performance in France at the World Cross Country Championships last weekend, Ethiopian Tirunesh Dibaba will tackle her next challenge at the Carlsbad 5000 on Sunday, April 3. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the world-renowned road race that has seen 14 world records since its inception and the young Dibaba will pursue the current women's mark of 14:51 held by Paula Radcliffe.

The young Dibaba's recent achievements highlight an already impressive resume. The 2004 Olympic bronze medalist and 2003 World Champion at 5000 meters, she now has two silver and three individual gold medals in her five appearances at the IAAF World XC Championships. Last Saturday (03/19), Dibaba, 19, was the youngest woman ever to win the 8K long course (26:37), a full three seconds ahead of second place. The next day, she defeated a strong field in the 4K to win in 13:15. Dibaba opened the 2005 season with a 5000 meter world indoor record of 14:32.93 at the Reebok Boston Indoor Games in January.

There will be no shortage of competition for Dibaba as two additional top five finishers from the World Cross Country Championships also join the elite field including defending Carlsbad champion Isabella Ochichi of Kenya who finished third in the short course and fifth in the long course. Last year, Ochichi set the world record, lowering the mark to 14:53 on the scenic oceanfront course.

Dibaba's countrywoman, Meselech Melkamu, another rising star at 19-years old, placed fourth in the short race and sixth in the long race. The top American, Lauren Fleshman, 23, of Palo Alto, Calif., a collegiate star while at Stanford, makes her Carlsbad debut after finishing 11th in the World XC 4K race and leading Team USA to the bronze medal.

The men's field for Carlsbad is equally impressive. Defending champion Dejene Berhanu of Ethiopia seeks to a three-peat after capturing the 2003 and 2004 titles. His winning time of 13:23 in the 2004 race stands as the eighth-fastest mark in Carlsbad history. Berhanu, who finished sixth in the long course and seventh in the short course at the World XC Championships, will be joined by three other men who posted top finishes in France: Ethiopian Negera Abebe Dinkesa (4th, 12K), Zewdie Maregu (6th, 4K) and Shadrack Kosgei (10th, 12K).

Crowd favorite and three-time winner Sammy Kipketer, who set the current world record of 13:00 when he won Carlsbad in 2000 and matched the effort in 2001, returns after a two-year absence. Kipketer ran the 4K race in France and finished 17th.

In addition to the elite invitational, the Carlsbad 5000 - the granddaddy of 5Ks - promises a scenic course, healthy competition and a weekend of fun for participants of all ages and skill levels. The popular Junior Carlsbad kids' event, now in its 16th year, is held the day prior, Saturday, April 2.

For more information or to register for the races, visit www.eliteracing.com or call (858) 450-6510. Mail-in registration for the Carlsbad 5000 is $28 through March 26. Participants can save by registering online, for $23, through March 27. The entry fee is $30 thereafter and on race day. Junior Carlsbad mail-in registration is $17 through March 26 and $12 online through March 27. The fee moves to $20 thereafter and on race day.

2005 Carlsbad 5000 Elite Field - As of March 22, 2005

Men
ATHLETE/AGE/COUNTRY/BEST/FACT-COMMENT
Dejene Berhanu, 24, ETH 12:54.15t 1st 03-04 CB5000, 6th/7th 05 World XC 12K/4K 
Sammy Kipketer, 23, KEN 12:52.33t 1st 00-02 CB5000, WR (13:00) 00-01 CB5000 
Million Wolde, 26, ETH 12:59.39t Gold Medalist 2000 Olympic 5000m
Craig Mottram, 24, AUS 12:55.21t Australian NR Holder 5000m
Alistair Cragg, 24, IRL 13:12.74t 12th 04 Olympic 5000m, 1st 05 Boston Indoor 3000m
Juan Luis Nieves, 21, MEX DEBUT 1500m PR 3:39.28, 5th 03 Pan Am 1500m
Tariku Bekele, 18, ETH 13:11.97t 1st 05 Cross Internacional de Elgoibar
Luke Kipkosgei, 29, KEN 12:56.50t 1st 05 Cross Quest France, Le Mans
Abebe Dinkessa, 23, ETH 13:04.48t 1st 2005 Ethiopian XC Trials 12K, 4th '05 World XC (12K)
Bob Tahri, 24, FRA 13:24.05t 4th 03 IAAF World XC Championships
Shadrack Kosgei, 20, KEN 13:12.69t 10th 05 World XC 4K
Boaz Cheboiyo, 26, KEN 13:29.77t 4th 04 CB5000
Simon Field, 25, AUS 28:38 
Maregu Zewdie, ETH 13:17.28t 3rd 04 IAAF World Cross Country 4K
Jason Hubbard, 30, CO/USA 13:37.63t 1st 04 Mt. SAC 10,000m
t = track 

Women
NAME/AGE/COUNTRY/BEST/FACT-COMMENT
Tirunesh Dibaba, 19, ETH 14:30.88t Double Gold '05 World XC, 1st 05 Boston Indoor 5000m (WR 14:32:93), 04 Olympic bronze medalist 5000m
Isabella Ochichi, 24, KEN 14:47.70t 1st 04 CB5000 (14:53 WR), 3rd/5th '05 World XC 4K/8K
Sentayehu Ejigu, 19, ETH 14:35.18t 10th 04 Olympic 5000m, 4th 04 CB5000
Kim Smith, 23, NZL 14:50.46t(NR) 3rd 05 Boston Indoor 3000m, 12th World XC Champs
Lauren Fleshman, 23, CA/USA 15:09.98t 11th 05 World XC Champs, 3rd 04 US XC 4K Champs
Emilie Mondor, 23, CAN 14:59.68t 1st 04 Canadian National Champion 5000m
Haley McGregor, 25, AUS 15:23 2nd 03 Australia National Champion 10K
Meselech Melkamu, 19, ETH 15:06.60t 4th & 6th 05 World XC Championships 4K/8K
Eloise Wellings, 22, NZL 15:18 03 World University Games 5000m Gold Medalist
Mihaela Botezan, 28, ROM 15:08.78t 
t = track

Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Services Director
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