Samitova Wins In Second Best Time In the World

Gulnara Samitova, WR holder in the 3000 m Steeplechase outdoors, ran an
excellent flat 3000 m race at the Russian Indoor Championships. After
passing the 2000 m mark in 5.51, she picked up the pace and began breaking
away from the pack. Only Ukraine`s Marina Dubrova tried to throw the
gauntlet, but - unable to restore contact with the leader - stayed some
three meters behind. Amazingly, the three-meter separation was kept for
all five remaining laps, while the two put a considerable gap between
themselves and the pursuing group. Perhaps sensing the challenger on her
heels , Samitova mustered a 2.50 last kilometer, which helped her post the
second leading time in the World this season and fourth in Russian history,
only behind Olga Yegorova`s 8.37,48 National record and Yelena
Zadorozhnaya`s marks of 8.40,15 and 8.41,44.

Results 3000 m Woman

1. Samitova Gulnara RUS 8.41,72
2. Dubrova Marina UKR 8.42,20
3. Bogomolova Galina RUS 8.49,21
4. Grigoryeva Lidiya RUS 8.50,21
5. Ivanova Lyubov RUS 8.53,58
6. Shobukhova Liliya RUS 8.54,61
7. Zhilyayeva Alla RUS 9.16,23
8. Belyakova Oksana RUS 9.00,01
9. Sidorchenkova Yelena RUS 9.05,25