Genzebe DibabaEthiopia’s Genzebe Dibaba ran the fastest indoor two-mile ever as the world indoor champion continued her whirlwind season at the British Grand Prix in Birmingham last weekend.
Dibaba, who broke world records at 1,500m and 3,000m earlier this year, clocked nine minutes, 00.48 seconds to smash compatriot Meseret Defar’s mark of 9:06.26 set in 2009.
“I’m very delighted because to break three world records was what I’d planned and I’m very happy that has happened now,” Dibaba told reporters after the two-mile, a distance that is not recognised by the IAAF for record purposes.
“In the middle of the race I felt a bit weak and tired, but with the help of the crowd and all the buzzing I was able to gain momentum and get the record.”
Britain’s James Dasaolu sprinted to the year’s fastest 60m, clocking 6.47 seconds in the preliminaries, appearing to injure his left hamstring during the final, which he won in 6.50.
Ivorian world silver medallist Murielle Ahoure surprisingly edged Jamaican Olympic and world champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce in the women’s race as both were timed in 7.10 seconds.
Olympic long jump champion Greg Rutherford, who ruptured a hamstring last year and failed to reach the world championships final in Moscow, was third in his first indoor event for four years with 8.00m, which equals his best ever leap indoors.