August 11, Zurich, Switzerland
Mark Carroll was unfortunate in his bid to go under 13 minutes for 5k in Zurich but his performance has left some question marks over his current 5k form.In the slowest of all the Golden League meetings so far Mark sat back in preferring the same tactic that brought him 13.10 in Stockholm.A fast last quarter was not enough as Mark should have perhaps moved sooner.His time of 13.12.16 saw Mark come home in twelth place.It wasn`t what Mark had expected but with a long way to go before Sydney Mark could be in 12.58 form by the time the final comes around.Certainly in a slow race his speed would put him ith the best.
However it is the feeling of some that Mark has lost some of his freshness since his early season races in June and on the evidence of today the nationals will provide a welcomed break from World class competition so Mark can recharge for his next attempt at the magical mark of 13:00
The race was won by Haile Gebrselassie of Ethiopia in a time of 12.57.95with Paul Tergat second.Haile had this to say after the race
"It was one of those tough races. It is getting harder and harder to win but it is normal for an elder runner."
It was, as said earlier, the slowest Golden League race of the season and the rub of the green was just not with the man from the Emerland Green Isle
Haile Gebrselassie won his first 5k Golden League outing but in a slow time
Mark Carroll must return to the drawing board after a disturbing performance