Meseret Defar runs 29:59 10,000 alone in the rain.

[Sasha Pachev]

http://www.iaaf.org/WCH09/news/kind=100/newsid=51954.html

In my opinion, this was worth the world record. Probably the best quality performance in the event ever. 25 72 second laps back to back with no break - for a woman!

She has Utah ties - she's been an honorable guest at the TOU Marathon, and once raced in the 5 K. Trever Ball got so scared of being chicked he beat her by a minute. I am still not sure how fast he ran. The official results said 15:16 (with 16:16 for Defar), but Trever said it was 14:16 by his watch. I can see Defar running 15:16 for a training run, and I can also see Trever running 15:16 at altitude on a non-flat loop course. 14:16 alone at altitude on the road on that course would be a little tough for him, but the fear of being chicked can do wonders.

Some more info on what she's been doing in Utah:

http://www.roocha.net/2006/10/mesgana-dancers-and-meseret-defar.html

[Dallen]

It's a shame that after all of this praise from Sasha she completely quit in the last 10 meters of the World Championship 10K after getting passed. She wasn't too tired to run the last 2 seconds, just not willing to race for third. Not exactly role model behavior.

[Sasha Pachev]

According to the LetsRun.Com article at

http://www.letsrun.com/2009/womens10k0815.php

and other sources she had a foot injury that crippled her with 50 meters to go. So she was lucky to get to the finish at all.

[Dallen]

I guess I spoke too soon. Just really bad luck.

[Dallen]

I think I corrected myself too soon. She quit again in the 5K after getting passed in the last few meters.