Because after a number of seasons with injury problems, there were probably many who had "given up" on big brother Henrik Ingebrigtsen as top runner. Although the 32-year-old showed his teeth at Moelv the weekend before, when he won the 3000 meters during the FVF with 7:51.09, his new personal record of 13:13.19 in Belgium on Saturday came a little out of the blue.
But joyful. When it comes to 5,000 meters during this year's Oslo Bislett Games, you need good legs and a good engine to keep up. But if you have it, you can be lifted forward by one of the world's best athletics audiences.
Now we have four Norwegians who will show themselves off.
The field is made up of the best from both 5,000 and 10,000 meters, and from the Norwegian side, Henrik is competing with the European Championship runner-up and seventh in the 10,000 meters from Munich last summer; respectively Zerei Kbrom Mezngi and Magnus Tuv Myhre. The former with a recent personal best of 27:41.44 from the Night of the 10,000m PBs. The latter with a fresh pb of 5000 meters of 13:19.09. In addition, Awet Kibrab, who recently improved his pb to 13:18.59.
And as said; good legs are needed here because the starting field is impressive.
Jacob Krop from Kenya: Tops the world ranking at 5000 meters. Number two in the 5000 meters in the 2022 World Championships. Topped the world statistics in the 5000 meters in 2022. Number six in the all-time world statistics in the 5000 meters.
Nicholas Kipkorir from Kenya: Number two in the world ranking at 5000 meters. Number four in the 2021 Olympics. Number two in the world statistics for 5,000 meters in 2022. Number seven in the all-time world statistics for 5,000 meters.
Selemon Barega from Ethiopia: Number three in the world ranking in the 5,000 meters and number five in the 10,000 meters. Number five in the 10,000 meters in the 2022 World Championships. Olympic champion in the 10,000 meters in 2021. Number three in the world statistics in the 10,000 meters in 2022. Number five in the all-time world statistics in the 5,000 meters.
Thierry Ndikumwenayo from Burundi: Number five in the world ranking at 5000 meters.
Telahun Haile Bekele from Ethiopia: Number seven in the world ranking at 5000 meters.
Luis Grijalva from Guatemala: Number nine in the world ranking at 5000 meters. Number four in the 5000 meters in the 2022 World Championships.
Jacob Kiplimo from Uganda: Number two in the world ranking at 10,000 meters. Number three in the 10,000 meters in the 2022 World Championships and in the 2021 Olympics. Number four in the 5,000 meters in the 2021 Olympics.
