By Bob Ramsak
BEIJING (16-Aug) -- Highlighted by a front-running performance by American Anthony Famiglietti, most of the medal favorites made it through this morning's qualifying round of the men's 3000m steeplechase.
Running in heat 2, Famiglietti immediately burst to the front, and within three laps had amassed a nine second lead. Although he was caught by the chase pack on the final water jump, led by Sweden's Mustafa Mohamed and Kenya's Ezekiel Kemboi, he sprinted strongly over the final barrier and finished third in a personal best 8:17.34.
"There's more heart in there," said Famiglietti told Race Results Weekly after the race. "I just have to get it to come out."
Ethiopia's Yakob Jarson won the heat in 8:16.88, a personal best and the fastest time posted in qualifying. Other key qualifiers included Kemboi and Mohamed from the second heat, France's Bob Tahri and Kenya's Brimin Kipruto from the first heat, and Kenya's Richard Mateelong from the third heat. The biggest casualty was Morocco's Hamid Ezzine, the 2007 Pan Arab Games silver medalist, who finished sixth in the third heat and was eliminated.
Former USA collegiate stars, Billy Nelson (University of Colorado) and Josh McAdams (Brigham Young University), failed to advance.
The men's 3000m steeplechase final will be held next Monday night at the National Stadium.
Know someone else who's interested in running and triathlon?
