News29 Mar 2009


Kogo breaks World 10Km record in Brunssum

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Micah Kogo (KEN) (© Victah Sailer)

Micah Kogo of Kenya broke the World record* in the 10Km at the 21st Parelloop 10k in Brunssum, Holland, today.

The 22-year-old clocked 27:01, eclipsing the previous mark set by Haile Gebrselassie in Doha, Qatar, in 2002. Kogo also ran his previous personal best of 27:07, until today the third fastest performance ever, on the same course in Brunsson.

"After running 27:07 in 2007 I always had it in my mind to come back and try for the world record on this course," said Kogo, the reigning Olympic bronze medallist in the 10,000m.

Kogo and training partner Abraham Chebii pushed the pace from the outset. Running together, the pair passed the first five kilometres in 13:28, at which point Kogo began to open a gap. He covered the final kilometre in 2:39, according to his manager, Ricky Simms of Pace Sports Management.

"My biggest fear prior to the race was the cold weather but I was very familiar with the course and was able to come through today," Kogo said. "I got inspiration watching my training partners Moses Kipsiro, Linet Masai and Titus Mbishei winning silver medals in the World Cross Country yesterday."

"The race organiser Paul Orbons has always treated me well here and I hope to come back next year to try for sub 27 minutes."

Illustrating Kogo's powerful performance, Chebii finished a distant second, clocking 27:47.

Bob Ramsak for the IAAF

* Pending the usual ratification procedures

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