Selemon Barega Runs Fastest 5,000 Meters in 13 Years

By Adam Kopet

Selemon Barega used a final-lap sprint to kick away from the competition to win the 5,000 meters at the Brussels Diamond League final. The Ethiopian's time of 12:43.02 breaks the World U-20 record and stands fourth on the all-time list.

RESULTS

Barega, 18, only managed to finish fourth at the IAAF World U-20 Championships in early July, but he saved his best race for the end of the season. The only men to have run faster were world record holders, Daniel Komen of Kenya, Haile Gebrselassie of Ethiopia and Kenenisa Bekele of Ethiopia.

Also running fast was Christian Coleman in the 100 meters. He jetted away from the field to win the Diamond League final in a world-leading and personal-best 9.79. Ronnie Baker got off to a bad start and came in second, running 9.93.