Kate Van Buskirk goes sub-15, gets Olympic standard in 5,000m

It was a very crowded and very deep 5,000m tonight in Los Angeles, and Kate Van Buskirk of Toronto ran a 16-second PB, going sub-15 for the first time in 14:59.80 for fifth, comfortably under the Olympic standard of 15:10.00. Julie-Anne Staehli finished just behind her, in a PB of 15:01.85 (though she had already achieved standard last week at the Golden Games, where she won in 15:02.34).

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2019 world champion Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands created a large lead early in the race and maintained it for a decisive win in 14:35.34, with Josette Norris finishing second (14:51.42) and Rachel Schneider third (14:52.04).

Van Buskirk was racing for the first time since well before the pandemic, having dealt with a series of injuries before COVID shut down the racing scene. Evidently the extra time spent recovering and rebuilding her fitness paid off. Her time is the fourth fastest among Canadian women all-time.

In earlier races, Canadians Madeleine Kelly won her heat in the 800m in 2:01.11, and Cameron Proceviat and Hawthorn won their 1,500m heats, Hawthorn in a five-second PB of 4:07.12.

Later in the evening, Mohammed Ahmed showed up unannounced in the 5,000m, taking the win handily in 13:18.49 after a disastrous 1,500m this afternoon in which he registered a DNF. 

"I just wanted to come out here and test my speed." – @lauramuiruns

The 1500 meter specialist takes down a strong 800 meter field in 1:58.71, leading four other women under 2:00.#TrackMeet pic.twitter.com/GikvE1d8gy

— TrackTown USA (@GoTrackTownUSA) May 15, 2021

In this afternoon’s action, Melissa Bishop, the only Canadian woman who has the Olympic standard in the 800m, ran a five-second PB in the 1,500 with her 4:04.42 (only .22s off standard in that event), finishing fifth. And Gabriela DeBues-Stafford ran a two-second PB in the 800m with 2:00.03 for sixth place. 

For full results, click here.