Lemecha Girma smashes 3000m course record in Doha Diamond League 2023

Addis Ababa, May 6, 2023 (FBC) – Ethiopia’s Athlete Lamecha Girma has raced for the first time since breaking the world indoor record at the distance, but he was taking on a field that included global champions at 1500m, 10,000m, steeplechase and cross country.

Ethiopia’s Lamecha Girma, the Olympic and world 3000m steeplechase silver medallist, clocked 7:26.18 for a meeting record and world leading time in the men’s 3000m.

The world indoor 3000m record holder had sat towards the back of the field early on alongside Soufiane El Bakkali (MAR), the Olympic and world 3000m steeplechase champion. At that point, only Berihu Aregawi from Ethiopia had gone with the pace.

As El Bakkali started to move slowly through the field, Aregawi, alongside Olympic 10,000m champion Ethiopian Selemon Barega, had created a slight gap at the front.

Aregawi continued to push the pace, but with three laps to go, Girma was on his shoulder. Girma eventually took the lead at the bell and pulled away for the win. Barega finished second in a lifetime best of 7:27.16, with Aregawi in third (7.27.61).

Girma, who before this year was primarily a steeplechase specialist, charged clear to win in an outdoor PB of 7:26.18, taking more than a second off the meeting record and moving to eighth on the world all-time list.

Barega finished second in a PB of 7:27.16 and Aregawi placed third in 7:27.61. It’s just the second time in history that three men have finished inside 7:28 – the other time also happening in Doha back in 2011.