Koech edged by Kemboi at Diamond League opener in Doha
The IAAF Diamond League meeting in Doha on 15. May saw Paul Kipsiele Koech (2nd) and Patrick Langat (3rd) post strong performances in the 3000m steeplechase, while Essa Ismael Rashed also competed well with a 5th place finish in the 5000m.
The Qatar Athletic Super Grand Prix held 15. May in Doha served as the inaugural IAAF 2010 Diamond League (formerly Golden League) event.
The men's 3000m steeplechase included Golazo athletes Paul Koech and Patrick Langat, who both put their stamp on the event. Langat lead most of the race unaccompanied, and held it until reacing the backstretch of the final lap, at which point '09 World Champion Ezekiel Kemboi and Koech caught him. The race came down to a sprint finish, with Kemboi edging out Koech with a 8:06.28 to 8:06.69 margin. Langat's effort was rewarded with a 3rd place finish and a time of 8:09.12, an improvement of his personal best by over 10 seconds. The three performanes top the '10 world steeplechase chart. Essa Ismael Rashed finished 5th in the 5000m with a near-personal best time of 13:08.95. The race was won by Eliud Kipchoge in a '10 world-leading 12:51.21.
The next stop on the 14-meeting Diamond League circuit will be the Shanghai Golden Grand Prix on 23. May.
