Saturday was Day One of the IAAF World Athletics Final in Greece, and in a tactical 3000m, Chris Solinsky once again showed himself to be one of the most competitive 3000m runners in the world, taking 6th place in a loaded field. After a very slow opening mile, Leonard Patrick Komon of Kenya led the field at the completion of the second kilometer, as the pace became much more world-class. Because athletes can only qualify to the WAF by accumulating points earned with placings at Grand Prix meets throughout the season, the field in Greece was top-notch and all of the competitors in the 3000 remained bunched in a giant pack, eight-wide, at the bell.
To the surprise of few athletics fans, Kenenisa Bekele covered the last lap fastest, winning the race in 8:03.79, with Bernard Lagat once more in his wake, taking second. Solinsky narrowly missed placing fourth, as his final time of 8:05.76 was just two-tenths back from fifth place, and four-tenths off of fourth. Still, the Wisconsin native defeated Kenyan stars Edwin Soi (Olympic Bronze Medalist) and Eliud Kipchoge (3-time World/Olympic medalist), along with a handful of other sub-13:00 athletes. Those join names such as Alistair Cragg, Moses Masai, Abraham Chebii, Mo Farah, and Joseph Ebuya on the list of outstanding athletes Chris has defeated in a very, very competitive 2009 season. Full results here.
Along with teammate Matt Tegenkamp, Solinsky will complete his 2009 campaign at the NYRR Fifth Avenue Mile on September 26th.
