Kimberley Smith Eighth In World Champs 10,000m

Kimberley Smith Photo: Athletics New Zealand

Kimberley Smith finished a disappointing eighth in the 10,000m at the World Athletic Championships in Berlin, one place better than her ninth in the 10,000m at the Beijing Olympic Games.

"I'm pretty disappointed, that was a pretty average race all round," said Smith.

"It was a tough race. I didn't feel great at all, so that's fine, I'll take it.

"It's just a race and hopefully I'll come back and do better the next time," she added.

"I think I was ready for a faster race, rather than the changing of the pace which is not really suited to me I don't think. But I think I suit a faster pace from the start.

"You've just got to race with what you've got."

Smith recorded 31m 21.42s, nearly a minute outside her personal best and 30 seconds behind the winner Linet Chepkwemoi Masai of Kenya.

Smith moved up from 13th after the first lap to settle into third place by lap 12, behind Mariya Konovalova of Russia and Yurika Nakamura of Japan passing the half way in 15m 45.19s.

The Africans who had remained in the middle of the field made a move on lap 18 and split the race apart.

"I was waiting for it from 5km on, I was waiting and didn't know who or what would pick it up," said Smith.

With a lap to go any of five runners could have taken the title.

Meseret Defar of Ethiopia looked to have the title with 80 metres remaining from team mate Meselech Melkamu, but Masai came with a withering sprint over the final 50 metres which carried her to victory in 30m 51.24s. In a blanket finish Melkamu held on for second from Wude Ayalew of Kenya, Grace Momanyi of Kenya with Defar stumbling near the finish fading to fifth.

The winning time raised a favourable comment from Smith.

"That's pretty good off that pace it must have been a really fast 3km I'd say. It's hard to run a time like that off a slow pace."

Smith said that she loves the track and will aim for the 5000m at the Commonwealth Games next year. At the moment Smith however will return home to her base in the States and decide what races to do. One of these will be the London marathon in April.

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