Charles Philibert-Thiboutot runs 3:34 in Monaco

MONACO, July 17, 2015 (AFP) – Two-time defending world champion Asbel Kiprop sprinted away to the fifth fastest 1,500m ever run at the Monaco Diamond League meet on Friday as Mo Farah struggled to stay with his startling pace on the last lap.

Behind, Canada’s Charles Philibert-Thiboutot ran a four-second personal best of 3:34.23, moving him into the fourth-fastest Canadian of all time, behind Kevin Sullivan, Graham Hood and Nate Brannen.

Kiprop, also the 2008 Olympic gold medallist, clocked 3:26.69, just 0.69 off Moroccan Hicham El Guerrouj’s world record set in Rome in 1999. The Kenyan’s time was the fastest run in 14 seasons.

World and Olympic 5,000-10,000m champion Farah, in his second race since doping allegations levelled at his coach Alberto Salazar, came in fourth in 3:28.93.

The Briton will no doubt look at his outing as perfect speed training for his attempt to defend his two titles at next month’s world championships in Beijing.

Algeria’s Olympic champion Taoufik Makhloufi powered through in the last 200m for second in a personal best of 3:28.75 with Morocco’s Abdelaati Iguider taking third, also in a PB of 3:28.79.

Philibert-Thiboutot will return to Canada to race the Pan Am Games 1,500m heats on Thursday, July 23 alongside Brannen.