Before 31 May, Ethiopia’s Lamecha Girma had never broken eight minutes for the 3000m steeplechase. In the space of 10 days, the Olympic silver medallist has done it three times first running a national record of 7:58.68 in Ostrava for a performance that puts him 12th on the world all-time list, then clocking 7:59.24 to finish second in Rabat and now, in Rome, storming to a dominant 7:59.23 victory.
Never troubled, Girma won by more than seven seconds ahead of Kenya’s Abraham Kibiwot (8:06.73), with Ethiopia’s Olympic fourth-place finisher Getnet Wale third in 8:06.74. It was a third consecutive sub-eight minute performance for the Ethiopian who has been enjoying a strong 2022 season.
The women’s 1500m saw Ethiopia’s Hirut Meshesha, fresh from a PB run of 3:57.30 to win in Rabat, triumph again in a tactical race. The world indoor bronze medalist moved away from her compatriot Axumawit Embaye, the world indoor silver medalist who was third in Rabat, to win – 4:03.79 to 4:04.53, with Britain’s Olympic silver medalist Laura Muir third in 4:04.93.
It’s a second victory in a week for Hirut who finished clear of the rest of the field in the much anticipated women’s race.
The 21-year-old survived a physical race start to take the win from compatriot Axumite and Great Britain’s Laura.