European 5000m silver medalist Henrik Ingebrigtsen clocks world leading 13:19.65 5000m in Oslo

European 5000m silver medalist Henrik Ingebrigtsen from Norway glided to a world leading 5000m time of 13:19.65 at the Boysen Memorial in Oslo, a European Athletics Area Permit Meeting, on Monday.

Paced by Sindre Buraas in the early stages, Ingebrigtsen cut loose from a leading pack which also included Sondre Nordstad Moen after the pacemaker dropped out and picked up the pace significantly over the closing laps.

Running the last 800 meters inside two minutes, Ingebrigtsen was rewarded with a finishing time inside 13:20 and a time which was only four seconds slower than his lifetime best of 13:15.38. The eldest of the Ingebrigtsen brothers also believes he had more in the legs too.

“It was really a good race. It suited me well today, I got a moderate opening and got to drive towards the end. The body responded quite well, I know the body has more inside, but I am happy that I got this out on a Monday at Bislett. It was one of my best races,” Ingebrigtsen told NRK after the race.

Ingebrigtsen also said the postponement of the Olympic Games in Tokyo could play to his advantage and believes he could even quite possibly challenge for a medal in the 5000m next summer.

“I might be a little more optimistic. If I can get consistency in the training work I do at home, then I have a hundred percent belief that I should have the level to fight for a medal - I have that belief,” he said.

In a good quality race, the top four runners all broke the 13:40-barrier with Ingebrigtsen followed home by Narve Nordas (13:33.39) and Zerei Kibrom Mezngi (13:37.59). Moen finished fifth in 13:42.96.

Henrik’s brothers Filip and Jakob Ingebrigtsen will be in action this evening in the 800m.

posted Tuesday June 30th