Sifan Hassan and 19-year-old Grace Nawowuna stun at Hengelo with sub-30-minute 10Ks

© Copyright – 2023 – Athletics Illustrated

Dutch athlete, Sifan Hassan, clocked a stunning 29:37.80 performance Friday at the FBK Games in Hengelo, just six weeks after winning the London Marathon. She had to contend with 19-year-old Kenyan, Grace Nawowuna, for much of the race, finally dropping the teenager with a final 400m lap in 60.86. Nawowuna took second in 29:47.42.

“My goal was to run deep, run hard. I had the marathon just six weeks ago and for me, the change was very hard so I wanted to see where I am. I did it and I’m very happy with the time,” Hassan said after the race.

Ethiopia’s Tsigie Gebreselama finished third in a new personal best time of 30:04.42. Kenyan, Selah Busienei, finished fourth in 30:26.40, with fellow Kenyan, Betty Chelangat, in fifth in the time of 30:27.94.

Both Hassan and Nawowuna exchanged leads during the tactical race leading everyone else at 2:57/km.

Hassan led Nawowuna through 7000m in 20:41.67 and then 8000m in 23:43.23.

The Kenyan led through 9000m in 26:47.08 as Hassan drafted her, saving her legendary sprint for the final lap.

Hassan won the London Marathon on April 18 in her debut at the distance clocking a new national record of 2:18:33. During the race, she stopped several times to stretch and fell behind, only to take over late and decimate the field with a smile and a sprint. The 30-year-old holds 11 World, European, or Dutch records indoors and outdoors.

Grace Nawowuna finished fourth during the 2023 Bathurst World Athletics Championships.

Results

Women’s 10000m Saturday, June 3