Posted: August 15, 2008

(RRW) Athletics: Excellent Weather For Women's 10-K Could Mean Fast Times

From David Monti © 2007 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved RaceResultsWeekly.com BEIJING (15-Aug) -- Nine straight days of bad weather finally lifted here today giving rise to the possibility of fast times in tonight's women's 10,000m, the first final on the track of these Olympic Games. At 22:00 local time, the temperature was 26°C (79°F) with 51% humidity, far better conditions than were anticipated by most of the 32 competitors from 18 nations who are on the start list. The Olympic Games record is 30:17.49 set by Derartu Tulu of Ethiopia in Sydney in 2000. With athletes like two-time world 10,000m champion Tirunesh Dibaba and multiple world road running record holder Lornah Kiplagat in the field, that record could go. The field is loaded with talent; 13 women have personal best times under 31 minutes. The reigning Olympic champion, Xing Huina of China, is not competing, assuring a new Olympic champion will be crowned tonight. About 70,000 fans are in the National Stadium, it's maximum capacity when configured for athletics. Subscribe to the Runner's Web Weekly Digest