Best steeple field ever in Bislett

This year a top field has been assembled around the Kenyans and will ensure that the race will be of the highest quality. Former Olympic and World Champion Brimin Kipruto will return to Oslo in search of an IAAF Diamond League victory in this discipline. He has a fabulous personal best of 7:53.64 and has achieved victories in the 1500m at Exxon Mobil Bislett Games.

Former World Youth Champion Abel Mutai collected his first senior medal when he took out the bronze medal at the London Olympics. Clearly his best years are in front of him and he will be looking for the satisfaction of a sub 8 minute clocking at Bislett.

Another World Youth and Junior Champion Conseslus Kipruto has posted the fastest time in the world this year. He won the event in the Diamond League meetings in Shanghai and Eugene and his winning time of 8:01.16 in Shanghai was a personal best and hardly a surprise when you consider his strong cross country form this past winter where he took out the prestigious Elgoibar race in Spain.

The twenty year old Jairus Birech (best of 8:03.43) was in super form during the cross country season winning “Cross Internacional de Italica” on IAAF Cross Country circuit and if he can translate that strength to the 3000m steeplechase fans everywhere might be in for a real surprise. He like the other youngster Conseslus Kipruto will be looking to break the 8 minute barrier and establish himself as one of Kenya’s leading steeplechase exponents.

The 8 minute barrier for the 3000m steeplechase has always been an indication of the highest level of performance and over the years very few non Kenyan athletes have been able to achieve this milestone. Bislett’s track record for the 3000m steeplechase stands at an impressive 8:01.73. However, Meeting Director Steinar Hoen has demanded a new standard in the stadium and has engaged the ever reliable Haron Lagat and James Kosgei to pilot the race at a furious pace of 5 minutes and 17 seconds through 2000m. That will give all the fancied contenders an opportunity to break the 8 minute barrier.

The Bislett stadium has a rich history in 3000m steeplechase with World Records to Pentti Karvonen of Finland in 1955 and Anders Gärderud of Sweden in 1975. With a quality field, a fast pace and an enthusiastic crowd a great result is yet again on offer.