Cherono bags 3000m title as El Bakkali rules on home soil

Former world 5000m silver medalist Mercy Cherono edged last year’s European 3000m Indoor champion Amy Eloise Markovc to the Rabat Diamond League (DL) 3000m title in a closely fought victory in Morocco. 

The 2015 5000m Commonwealth Games champion kept to Markovc's shoulder, kicking in the finishing straight to pip the Briton by 0.03 in 8:40.29. Markovc clocked a personal best time of 8:40.32 while Medina Eisa from Ethiopia took the third place in 8:41.42. 

The other Kenyan in the race, Gloria Kite stayed with the leading pack of four until the final lap when everyone broke into a sprint but she could not match the podium finishers as she missed medal position to place fourth in 8:41.81. World junior champion Teresia Muthoni who was expected to line up for the race did not start. 

Meanwhile local hero Soufiane El Bakkali won the men's steeplechase in a meeting record and world lead of 7:58.28 infront of a thunderous home crowd that cheered him on their feet for the entire 35 barriers. 

El Bakkali overtook Ethiopia’s Lemecha Girma in the final lap to take the win. Girma also broke the 8 minutes barrier for the second time in one week clocking 7:59.24 just five days after setting his PB with 7:58.68 at the Golden Spike meeting in Ostrava. 

Hailemaryam Tegegn finished third improving his PB to 8:06.29. The first Kenyan on the race, returning world champion Conseslus Kipruto placed fourth in 8:12.47 as Olympics bronze medalist Benjamin Kigen and national champion Abraham Kibiwott placed eighth and ninth respectively. 

“I cannot describe my happiness for winning this race. Achieving world lead and meeting record in front of my audience is just incredible. I promised yesterday in the press conference that I will do a great performance and I am keeping my promise. I want to dedicate this victory to our king Mohamed VI and to all Moroccan people.

Wanyonyi, Moraa, complete 800m double in Rabat

I would like to thank this huge crowd that came to support me and without their support it would not have been possible. I will take some rest now before starting my preparation for the World Championships which is my main goal," said an elated El Bakkali.