2002 IAAF Golden League Szabo-Radcliffe Clash Produces European 3000 Record, El G Extends Win Streak at Monaco Golden League Note: For Race Results Weekly (TPNS) - 19-July-2002 - Monte Carlo, MON -- The eagerly-awaited women's 3000 meters featured a clash of giants --world and Olympic champion Gabriela Szabo, and Paula Radcliffe, arguably the finest all-around distance runner in the world, making her 2002 track debut. And the two did not disappoint, providing a heated battle that resulted in the second fastest 3000 meter race in history, with the diminutive Romanian prevailing in 8:21.42, en route to a new European Record. Only four women have ever covered the distance faster --all at the 1993 National Games in Beijing, performances that are still disputed nine years later. Running her first race since her stunning marathon debut in London, the reigning World Cross Country Champion controlled much of the race until Szabo took the lead for good with 200 meters to go. Radcliffe crossed the line in 8:22.20, a British record. Szabo surprised even herself after relegating Sonia O'Sullivan's 1994 mark (8:21.64) to the history books. "When I ran 8:24 last season and broke the Romanian record, I thought that was the fastest I could run. I was far from expecting to run a European record here," Szabo said. "I can now say that I feel ready to compete. My body felt well and I must thank Paula for racing that well on her comeback." Radcliffe's performance tossed aside any notions that her marathon training would affect her leg speed. "Everyone kept telling me that I'd lose my speed by running the marathon. But I talked to Ingrid Kristiansen and she told me the contrary." Radcliffe confirmed that she'll run the 5000 in the Commonwealth Games and focus on the 10,000 in Munich. "I may also run the 5000 if I feel good." Edith Masai, who knocked Szabo out of the Golden League jackpot hunt with her win in the Rome 5000, finished third in 8:23.23, breaking Morrocan Zahra Ouaziz's African Record by 3.25 seconds. The men's 1500 featured another match-up between Hicham El Guerrouj and his perrenial challenger Bernard Lagat. This time the race was settled with El Guerrouj's pivotal move for the lead with 600 meters to go, creating an insurmountable gap en route to a 3:27.34 win, another seasonal best. Lagat cut the world record holder's lead significantly off the final curve, but still finished .57 behind. Rui Silva followed Lagat with a Portuguese NR of 3:30.07, just ahead of Cornelius Chirchir's World Junior record of 3:30.24. The finest field of the season was assembled for the men's 800, and it was Wilson Kipketer's turn to prove that his comeback from malaria is complete. The world indoor and outdoor record holder won in a seasonal best 1:43.76, but the biggest surprise was the runner-up finish of emerging middle distance sensation David Krummenacker and his 1:43.95 personal best, capping one of the finest middle distance weeks ever witnessed. Kipketer was very pleased. "I always knew I could make it back and there was never a time when I thought about retiring," said Kipketer, who has a home a Monaco. "I thought it was a big challenge to come back, and exciting too, because the standard of 800 meter running is really excellent. With his typical late finish, Yuriy Borzakovskiy was never in contention, and finished a distant sixth. Last season's top half miler, Andre Bucher, finished last in 1:46.38 in his first race back from injury. "I felt good for the first 600 meters, but I wasn't running economically and I lost a lot of energy." Bucher said that even though the Swiss federation has already selected him for the European championship squad, he hasn't committed yet. "I'll make my decision to run or not in a couple of days." The men's 3000 also produced a seasonal best, with Benjamin Limo's (7:34.72) stunning sprint overtaking Ukrainian Sergey Lebed in the final 15 meters. Including his seasonal best bonus here, Limo has collected 60,000 Euros in four Golden League meets this summer. Maria Mutola was beaten down the homestretch for the second time this week in the 800, this time by 22 year-old Cuban Zulia Calatayud, who stunned the crowd with a personal best 1:56.09. Calatayud, who finished sixth in the Sydney Olympics, passed the Olympic champion off the final turn and never looked back. Her previous best of 1:58.60 was set here last year, when she finished fourth. All five athletes who entered the meet eligible for a share of the half million dollar Golden League jackpot -- Feliz Sanchez (400H), Ana Guevara (400), Marion Jones (100), El Guerrouj (1500) and Gail Devers (100H)-- are still in contention.

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