Posted: February 8, 2006

Athletics: Assault On Women's 1500M WR Saturday In Valencia

From David Monti

© 2006 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved RaceResultsWeekly.com

By Bob Ramsak

An assault on the world indoor record in the women's 1500m will be the highlight of Saturday's international meeting in Valencia, Spain, organizers announced today.

Maryam Jamal of Bahrain, last year's top middle distance ace, and Lydia Chojecka of Poland, will be aiming for the 3:59.98 record set by Regina Jacobs at the Boston Indoor Games in 2003.

In her first season of high level international competition, the Ethiopian-born Jamal, 21, emerged as the best 1500m runner in the world in 2005. Her 3:56.79 win in Rieti, along with her 8:28.87 victory in the 3000m in Oslo, were the fastest performances of the year. Displaying phenomenal range, she also notched 1:59.69 and 14:51.68 performances in the 800 and 5000, and also has a half-marathon 1:11:43 best from 2004 to her credit. Her only off day came in the World Championship final in Helsinki where, after being impeded down the backstraight, eventually finished fifth. It was her only loss in seven finals last season in the metric mile.

While Jamal has never competed indoors, Chojecka has collected solid credentials, including last year's European indoor title in the 3000. The Pole, who turned 29 last month, will arrive in Valencia after a recent training stint in South Africa.

World leader Alesia Turava of Belarus and Bouchra Ghezielle of France, the 2005 World Championships bronze medallist, are also in the field.

In the men's race, reigning world indoor champion Paul Korir of Kenya will face Portugal's Rui Silva, the 2004 Olympic and 2005 World Championships bronze medallist. In the women's 800, Hasna Benhassi of Morocco, the 2004 Olympic and 2005 World Championships silver medallist, will face top Spaniard Mayte Martinez.

You can see the listing of all the international medalists who will be competing in Valencia on Saturday at this link (in Spanish):
www.rfea.es.

As Assistant Editor Ramsak noted, there will be a world record attempt in the women's 1500m, and the field is extremely strong. At least five women have outdoor PB's under four minutes:

Maryam Yusuf Jamal, BRN, 3:56.79 outdoor PB
Elena Iagar, ROM, 4:02.90
Lydia Chojecka, POL, 3:59.22
Natalia Gorelova, RUS, 3:59.70
Alesya Turova, BLR, 3:59.89
Hayley Tullett, GBR, 3:59.95
Bouchra Ghezielle, FRA, 4:01.28
Anna Jakubczak, POL, 4:00.15
Irina Lishchinskaya, UKR, 4:02.60

The complete entry lists are here: www.rfea.es [PDF File].

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