Two Kenyans in as organisers target 5000m world record in Oslo

Former World silver medalist Jacob Krop and 2022 Diamond League winner Nicholas Kipkorir Kimeli are in action in the 5000m at this year's Bislett Games as organisers go after Joshua Cheptegei's world record. 

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Set for Thursday, 12 June, the race has assembled a preliminary starting field with athletes who have run under 12:50, hoping that the pacers will set the group up for a quick race. 

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"Last year we were close," says event director Steinar Hoen. "Hagos Gebrhiwet was just over a second behind when he ran 12:36.73." 

The man who missed the mark last year, Gebrhiwet and compatriots Yomif Kejelcha, who came in second with 12:38.95, and Berihu Aregawi, with a personal best (PB) of 12:40.45, are set to start with the aim of improving Cheptegei's record of 12:35.36.

The attempt comes as the mark hits forty years since Said Aouita improved Dave Moorcroft's record by one hundredth in the same arena.

"We should also not ignore the fact that the European record of Spanish Mohamed Katir of 12:45.01 is also in danger, even without Jakob Ingebrigtsen at the start, and I am thinking primarily of Dominic Lobalu, who ran 12:50.90 when he came seventh at Bislett last year.

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We have experienced enormous interest in participating in this race, and have been able to be very selective," says Hoen. 

With the conversation about the Ethiopian contingent who are clearly the favourites, the Kenyan duo have their work cut out as they would need to go quicker than their PB's and improve by more than ten seconds to get the world mark. 

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The plan is for German Maximilian Thorwirth and Ethiopian Gemechu Dida to do the job up to 3000m. 

In a progressive race that is being built up, there will hopefully be a large group that works together to run as fast as possible towards an insanely good time if the conditions warrant it.  

Elite Field

12:36.73 Hagos Gebrhiwet

12:38.95 Yomif Kejelcha

12.40.45 Berihu Aregawi

12:42.70 Telahun Haile Bekhele

12:45.71 Jacob Krop

12:46.33 Nicholas Kipkorir

12:47.20 Mohammed Ahmed

12:48.10 Thierry Ndikumwenayo

12:49.65 Addisu Yihune