Worlds Fastest 10k 2008
El Paso, Texas. 12th Oct 2008
Hyvon N'getich
Elisha Korir
October 12, 2008--El Paso, Texas - Elisha Korir and Hyvon N'getich both of Kenya won the overall men's and women's divisions of the World's Fastest 10k on Sunday, October 12, in respective times of 25:42.4 and 29:03.7 to set the unofficial world record for the 10,000 meters.
Korir ran the race virtually alone from the start, putting the field away with a 3:56 third mile. He averaged an astonishing 4:07 per mile. James Kirwa of Kenya was second in 27:04.2 and Chokri Dhaoudi of Tunisia was third in 27:12.4. Matt Daniels of Albuquerque was the first American finishing in 27.43.6.
The world record of 26:17.53 was set by Kenesia Bekele of Ethiopia in 2005. Korir also broke the unofficial world record set by Hillary Kimaiyo set on same course last year.
N'getich outpaced her training partner Jacqueline Nyetipei also of Kenya who finished second in 30:54.9. Debbie Arzola was the first American woman finishing third in 32:44. N'getich time bested the official world record of 29:31.78 set by Junxia Wang of China in 1993.
Despite the fast times, the records are unofficial because, while certified, the course is point to point and downhill. In addition, both winners competed in shoes manufactured by Spira Footwear. The shoes are controversial because they contain WaveSpring technology. According to rules promulgated by USA Track and Field, shoes containing spring technology are considered to provide an athlete with an unfair advantage and therefore banned. The International Amateur Athletic Federation, which is the worldwide governing for Track and Field, has yet to finally rule of the legality of the shoes, despite having over two years to review and decide the issue.
Korir and N'getich are two of the most recent elite athletes to win a major competition in the controversial footwear. The winners of the past two Ottawa Marathons, the Houston Marathon, the ING Atlanta Marathon, the top five finishers in the Detroit Free Press Marathon, and even the past two winners of the Master's Division of Boston Marathon have all competed in Spira. No athlete has been disqualified for competing in Spira.
For their efforts, Korir and N'getich each picked up $2000 for the win and a $10,000 bonus for setting the world record.