Kenya's Tanui smashes IAAF World Challenge record

Norah Tanui (right) celebrates winning the Women's 3000m Steeplechase with runner-up Gesa Krause. Photo: REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch

Norah Tanui (right) celebrates winning the Women's 3000m Steeplechase with runner-up Gesa Krause. Photo: REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch

Published Aug 28, 2017

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BERLIN - Kenya's Norah Tanui smashed the meeting record for the women's 3 000m steeplechase at the 76th edition of the ISTAF, an IAAF World Challenge Meeting, in Berlin’s Olympic Stadium on Sunday.

Kenya’s pacemaker Caroline Tuigong guided the field through the first 1 000 metres in 3:02.56 before dropping out. 

The pace remained fast through 2 000m, covered in 6:07.88. Courtney Frerichs of the US, the surprise World Championships silver medallist, was in the lead at that point, but later wouldn't finish.

It was then Tanui who stormed away, winning in 9:03.70 to smash the meeting record by nearly 18 seconds. 

Germany's Gesa Krause, who was unlucky in London when she was tripped and fell in the final, was second in 9:11.85 to break her own national record of 9:15.70. 

Meanwhile, Botswana's middle-distance runner Isaac Makwala and Kenyan steeplechase star Norath Jeruto will be in the Croatian capital Zagreb for the 67th edition of the Hanzekovic Memorial, an IAAF World Challenge Meeting, on Tuesday.

The 400m race will feature a rematch between Makwala and Gil Roberts of the US, who finished 1-2 in the Diamond League final on Thursday. 

Makwala, who's clocked under 44sec in his last three races - not including the rounds in London - will be difficult to stop.

Jeruto, who will take part in the 3 000m steeplechase, will arrive on the back of her solid 9:03.70 victory and lifetime best in Berlin - nearly 17sec better than the rest of the field.

African News Agency

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