by Hank Brown, Running USA wire
PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island - (September 15, 2002) - In a finish that was closer than the spelling of their last names, Kenyan James Koskei out-leaned countryman Shadrack Kosgei in a thrilling sprint to the finish at the 13th CVS/pharmacy Downtown 5K in the Rhode Island capital. The finish was so close that the chip finish actually had the two reversed, but the judges at the finish line clearly saw Koskei break the tape ahead of Kosgei. They were both given the same time, 13:40.
The race also served as the USA Men's 5K Championship. Meb Keflezighi from San Diego stayed in the hunt for the overall title with a very close view of the sprint finish. The Team USA California athlete finished third overall, 5 seconds back, and captured his 5th USA title this year. Dan Browne maintained membership in the lead pack through about 2.5 miles, before finishing 6th overall, second in the national championship with a time of 13:53. Clint Wells was the third American in 14:14 (9th overall).
In the women's race, Morocco's Asmae Leghzaoui came to Providence intent on breaking Deena Drossin's 14:54 5K world mark. The 8K and 10K world road records were already in her 2002 scrapbook, but the 5K just barely slipped away today, even though her time of 15:06 was good enough for a new course record (15:10, Elana Meyer 1994), a $5000 sub 15:10 bonus and the 7th fastest 5K all-time. She stayed on pace through 4K, but didn't quite have enough to seal the deal over the last kilometer. When she realized she would fall short of the record she slowed to a jog and actually walked the last few steps to the finish.
The race started under threatening skies and swirling winds with the majestic backdrop of the capitol building. The city of Providence has gone through a renaissance over the past 5-6 years, and it was never more evident than along the five kilometer tour of the city. The course twists and turns through historic and beautiful downtown, with new hotels, parks and newly renovated buildings blending well with the history and tradition of older Providence.
The lead pack in the first mile was so large it was impossible to pick out a leader. All the favorites were in contention. The first mile passed in 4:20.
In the second mile, a pack of 7 men - Koskei, Kosgei, Keflezighi, Francis Komu, Browne, Patrick Nthiwa and Eliya Sidame - broke from the larger pack and ran along the streets seemingly as one, elbows close, feet striking within inches. It was so tight and crowded in places the leaders had to avoid bumping into each other on the turns.
"It was fun," said Browne afterwards. "This is what racing is all about. I knew I had to stay in contact because these guys don't come back. I knew I had to tough it out."
"I took the lead a couple of times," said Meb. "I'm a front-runner. I don't like crowds, but I just couldn't break away."
Nobody was breaking away from this pack but some separation started with about a half mile to go. First it was Sidame who lost contact, then Browne. It was down to five, but the uphill finish loomed ahead. That's when it got furious and serious.
They made the final turn toward the finish line and the sprinting started. Koskei, Kosgei and Meb quickly jumped in front of Nthiwa and Komu. Meb soon fell a few meters back and it was Koskei and Kosgei shoulder-to-shoulder.
But Koskei, who has won every road race that he has entered this year (except one, Rock 'n' Roll Half), including Falmouth, Beach to Beacon and Lilac Bloomsday and others, wasn't about to let this one be his second defeat.
"I wanted to win so badly," said Koskei (James) later. "This was my last race before I go back home to Kenya.
"I thought I could win," said Kosgei (Shadrack). "But my legs weren't moving well. They were too heavy, so I was struggling."
They weren't sure who had won until moments after the race. The judges declared Koskei (with a K) the winner over Kosgei (with a G).
"They got away from me on the hill" said Meb. "They worked together and I was all alone. I knew I couldn't catch them then. Maybe if there was another 400 meters of flat at the end, but who knows?"
"My legs weren't fresh enough to go with them when they broke from me at 2.5," said Browne. "I put in 105 miles this week so I'm happy. I went for it and that's what you have to do to compete at this level."
Legzhaoui stayed on her pre-determined pace for a record most of the race. She went out very fast, 2:50 at 1K and 4:34 for the mile, banking critical seconds due to the more difficult uphill finish. The second mile was a slower, 4:50, but still in good shape for the record. She passed 4K in 11:51, meaning she only needed about 3:00 on the last kilometer to get the record. But it wasn't meant to be.
"This is the biggest disappointment of my life," said Leghzaoui afterwards, visibly upset over losing out on the record. "Extreme wind at 4K slowed me down, but I still thought I had a good chance when I was at the bottom of the hill. When I finally saw the clock, I knew I couldn't get the record."
Former course record holder Elana Meyer from South Africa ran an excellent race, finishing second in 15:24. American Libbie Hickman held off Elva Dryer for third, 16:02 vs. 16:03.
With his U.S. 5K title, it has been a banner year for Keflezighi as the 2000 Olympian captured his 5th national title this year; he previously won the 12K cross country, 15K roads, 10,000m track and 7 mile roads.
"5 national titles in one year is a big honor to me," said Meb who is off to Madrid to run the 5000 meters at the World Cup next week. "I won 4 national titles at UCLA in 1997. I'm fortunate to have coaches like Bob Larsen and Joe Vigil at the Team USA California training camp. God gave me a talent and I'm thankful."
In addition, the Downtown 5K is also part of the USA Running Circuit (USARC), a USA Track & Field road series of USA Championships from 5K to the marathon, and the top 10 U.S. runners scored points. As USA Champion, Keflezighi earned 15 USARC points and vaulted into first place in the USARC standings with 45 points, while the defending USARC co-champion Browne and Kyle Baker (5th U.S.) moved into second (39) and third (35) respectively.
There are two Men's USARC races remaining (Twin Cities Marathon - Sept 29 and Food World Senior Bowl 10K - Nov 2). USARC points at the Twin Cities Marathon will be doubled. The 2002 USARC, the eighth edition for the men and seventh for the women, offers over $340,000 in championship prize money plus a $25,000 grand prix purse.
| Place | Name | Time | Winnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 |
James Koskei, KEN Shadrack Kosgei, KEN Meb Keflezighi, CA Francis Komu, KEN Patrick Nthiwa, KEN Dan Browne, OR Eliya Sidame, TAN David Njuguna, KEN Clint Wells, CO Sammy Ngeno, KEN |
13:40 13:40 13:45 13:51 13:53 13:53 14:10 14:12 14:14 14:16 |
$5,000 $3,000 $2,000 $1,500 $1,000 $900 $700 $500 $300 $100 |
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 |
Meb Keflezighi, CA Dan Browne, OR Clint Wells, CO Henry Dennis, OH Kyle Baker, MI Brian Sell, MI Phillimon Hanneck, OR Mike Fox, MI Justin Young, MI Cain Williams, RI |
13:45 13:53 14:14 14:20 14:23 14:24 14:34 14:35 14:37 14:42 |
$2,000 $1,500 $1,000 $900 $700 $500 $300 $100 |
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 |
Asmae Leghzaoui, MAR Elana Meyer, RSA Libbie Hickman, CO Elva Dryer, NM Marie McMahan, IRL Martha Komu, KEN Tatiana Khmeleva, RUS Uta Pippig, GER/CO Agnes Ngunjiri, KEN Blake Russell, MA |
CR 15:06 15:24 16:02 16:03 16:04 16:11 16:13 16:18 16:21 16:23 |
(incl Bonus) $10,000 $3,000 $2,000 $1,500 $1,000 $900 $700 $500 $300 $100 |
