Paul Chelimo breaks course record at USATF 5K champs

Paul Chelimo barely edged defending champion Shadrack Kipchirchir in a photo finish at the USATF 5K championships yesterday, in a course record-breaking 13:45, one day before the TCS New York City Marathon. Kipchirchir was also credited with a 13:45 (Chelimo was .32 seconds ahead). Stanley Kebenei hung in with the leaders until the final half-mile, finishing third with a time of 13:53. 

RELATED: Ben Flanagan smashes Canadian soil 5K record in his first-ever national win

Emily Sisson led from the second mile into the women’s race, finishing in 15:38, 12 seconds ahead of Erica Kemp in second place (15:50) and Amy Cragg in third (15:54). Cragg had not raced since the Tokyo Marathon, back in February, where she set a five-minutes-plus personal best. She had been slated to run the Chicago Marathon last month, but had to withdraw due to injury.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bpusxi8nl0J/?utm_source=ig_twitter_share&igshid=h1xfo3wxwqo

Kemp is a relative newcomer, having finished 10th in the 5,000m at NCAA’s and 15th at the 10K championships at Peachtree in July.  

Wow. So excited 2 have won my first USA Road title alongside my BEST friend, brother, and training partner.
I have a feeling there are going 2 be photos like this for many years to come. Thanks Shad n Stanley for making it such a honest race.Let’s get back to work!?@CitiusMag pic.twitter.com/umk5i6ocJP

— Paul Chelimo????? (@Paulchelimo) November 3, 2018

Chelimo won the silver medal in the 5,000m at the 2016 Olympics in Rio, and bronze in the 2017 world championships. He was DQ’d at the Zurich Diamond League 5,000m in 2017, as he and world champion Muktar Edris tangled and fell at the finish line, with Mo Farah winning his final track race. (Chelimo was also disqualified at the 2016 Olympics, but later reinstated.)

Matt Centrowitz, who finished eighth, announced last week that he is leaving the Nike Oregon Project.