Posted: July 25, 2007

Athletics (RRW): Fast 3000's Highlight Monaco Super Grand Prix

From David Monti © 2007 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved RaceResultsWeekly.com A pair of fast 3000m races highlighted tonight's Monaco IAAF Super Grand Prix, the Herculis 2007 meeting held at the Stade Louis II which is situated in the Fontvieille district of the tiny Mediterranean principality. Kenenisa Bekele got a confortable win in the men's contest with a 7:29.32 clocking, but his fast pace helped others run the best times of their lives. Second place Moses Kipsiro of Uganda set a national record with his 7:32.03 mark, while Alistair Cragg of Ireland gave Mark Carroll's national record a shot, coming up a little short with a personal best 7:32.49. Morocco's Ahmed Baday also set a personal best in third in 7:34.94. In the women's race, rising star Mariem Alaoui Selsouli of Morocco got under the 8:30 barrier for the first time with a career best 8:29.52, making her the second-fastest Moroccan of all-time behind the legendary Zahra Ouaziz. The next three women all recorded sparkling times: Jen Rhines (USA), 8:35.03 PB; Kim Smith (NZL), 8:35.31 NR; and Shalane Flanagan (USA), 8:35.34 PB*. Also running personal bests were Jessica Augusto of Portugal (8:41.53), Michelle Sikes of the United States (8:44.73) and Julie Coulaud of France (8:46.71). Subscribe to the Runner's Web Weekly Digest