Unheralded Champion

The men`s 3000 m race at the Russian Indoor Championships featured a
surprising finale. After the leading group passed the 2000 m mark in 5.19,
Pavel Shapovalov of the Far East produced a spurt that gave him a lead of
some 20 m. As much effort as the contenders put in their pursuit, they
managed to eat up only a portion of it, and that over the last 100 meters.
Pavel covered the ultimate kilometer in 2.35 and, clocking 7.54,79,
dramatically improved on his old PR of 8.15,84, set in 2001 while placing
eighth at the Russian Indoor Nationals.

Besides, a new Championships depth of field record was set, as six harriers
dipped under 8:00, all of them achieving new PRs.

Russian Indoor Championships

Moscow, Feb 17

Men

3000 m

1. Shapoval Pavel 7.54,79
2. Yemeliyanov Sergey 7.55,87
3. Ivanov Sergey 7.55,92
4. Naumov Pavel 7.56,02
5. Sekletov Aleksandr 7.57,25
6. Kulkov Oleg 7.57,43
7. Abramov Yuriy 8.00,43
8. Gurkin Aleksey 8.06,84