Posted: June 15, 2007

Athletics (RRW): Defar Smashes 5000M World Record In Oslo

From David Monti © 2007 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved RaceResultsWeekly.com OSLO - Ethiopian Meseret Defar broke the world record in the 5000 meters, clocking 14:16.63 at the ExxonMobil Bislett Games in Oslo this evening. The 23-year-old, the reigning Olympic champion in the event, shattered her own mark of 14:24.53 set last year at the Reebok Grand Prix in New York. Paced through 2200 meters by Olga Komyagina, Defar was shadowed briefly by Kenyan Vivian Cheruiyot before gradually breaking away over the final four laps. Cheruiyot hung on to finish second in 14:22.51, also under the previous record. Look for a complete report from Oslo later this evening. Subscribe to the Runner's Web Weekly Digest