L. MathekaHerculean task for Kimeli, Krop in quest for Florence DL defense
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Reading Time: 2min | Thu. 01.06.23. | 10:27
Kimeli raced to a world leading 12:46.33 which was also the meeting record and his personal best in Rome last year.
Commonwealth Games 5000m silver medalist Nicholas Kimeli and compatriot world 5000m silver medalist Jacob Krop have their work cut out as they line up for 5000m at the third Diamond League (DL) in Florence, Italy on Friday 2 June.
This leg of the DL is normally held at the Olympic Stadium in Rome, Italy, popularly refereed to as the Golden Gala but the 2021 and 2023 editions were relocated to Florence temporarily.
Last year, Kimeli raced to a world leading 12:46.33 which was also the meeting record and his personal best, finishing ahead of Krop who clocked a PB of 12:46.79.
The race held on 9 June saw 13 of the 14 finishers record either a PB or season best with one national record also registered by Burundi’s Ndikumwenayo Thierry who timed 12:59.39 for eighth place.
Just like last year, the Kenyans face a deep field that sees the return of Uganda’s world 10,000m and Olympic 5000m champion Joshua Cheptegei to the track for the first time since his triumph in Oregon.
The Kenya duo also faces an all-star Ethiopian quartet of Olympic 10,000m champion Selemon Barega who was on the field in Rome last year, finishing fourth in 12:54.87.
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Kimeli and Krop also renew rivalry with 2021 DL champion Berihu Aregawi, Yomif Kejelcha who completed the podium in the same race last year with a 12:52.10 SB at the time and Samuel Tefera.
Kimeli’s most recent race was in the Bengaluru 10k where he placed fourth, clocking 28:06 in a race won by compatriot Sebastian Kimaru in 27:59, in a close three-way finish where he defeated road running guru Rodrigue Kwizera who also timed 27:59 with Hillary Chepkwoni completing the podium places in 28:00 minutes.
Krop, on his part, is starting his track season and hoping for a better outing than his last three road races.
He finished fifth in Valencia in the 10km race before finishing third over the 3000m in France. He then finished fourth in a 5km road race in Lille, also in France.
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