The Women's 3000m race report
Meanwhile, Jo Pavey gave Team GB a pre-Olympic lift when she returned from a calf injury to finish fourth in the women's 3000m in 8:46.58.

Ireland's Sonia O'Sullivan took third in a confidence-boosting 8:41.42, and Britain's other representative Kathy Butler, who will compete in the 10,000m in Greece, was sixth in 8:52.34.

After the pace in the first kilometre sagged more than wished (2:54.77 vs the 2:50 target) Sonia O’Sullivan picked up the tempo, moving strongly to the front midway through the second kilometre and building up a lead of almost twenty metres. By the end of the second kilometre (5:45.22), Edith Masai had closed the gap and took over the lead 200 metres later.

The Paris bronze medallist in the 5000 metres accelerated well through the final two laps and ended with a 8:36.43 win, her best of the year.

Meanwhile, 19-year-old Tola Zenebech had overtaken O’Sullivan for second coming into the bell, but the Irish star regained the runner-up spot with 200 left. Zenebech wasn’t finished. The Ethiopian, based in nearby Lausanne, came storming back to reclaim second from the Sydney 5K silver medallist in a PB 8:40.32 to the season-best 8:41.42 for O’Sullivan.

Britain’s Joanne Pavey, who had been one of the front runners in the early stages, stayed in contact well with the lead group and placed fourth in 8:46.58.

This was not to be. Instead of delivering a race of stellar proportions she underlined her vunerability this year. She was able to post the fastest time over the distance this year. However, the manner in which she faded off a target time of sub 8:20 to a finishing time of 8:30 plus, must be concerning for her. With 2 minutes on the clock, Szabo was close to 40m ahead of the rest of her challengers, who were being towed along by the USA's Deena Drossin. Going through 1K in 2:45.12, Szabo was closely tucked behind the pacesetter Olga Komyagina, and a fast time was on the cards. Szabo's determination was evident, her desire was pallable, however the ability of Komyagina was sorely lacking. She was unable to maintain a pace of 66 seconds per lap and was passed before the 1600m mark was reached. Szabo passed through 2K in 5:39.18 [2nd K 2:54.06] still some 8 to 9 seconds clear of the pursuing pack.

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Szabo was never threatened as her pace began to falter from 67's to 70's to 71 seconds. Her finishing time was 8:33.96 [ last 1K 2:55.78 ] For the Irish it was great to see Sonia O' Sullivan, rounding into good shape just before Paris, coming home in 8:37.55 for 2nd spot. I don't see anything spectacular happening for the Irish heroine come the Champs, however she has something to build on.

Of interest are Szabo's lap splits : Laps 2 to finish : 66.33 - 67.74 - 70.52 - 71.38 - 70.97 - 68.23

Quote : Gabriella Szabo (Rom) "You are right. Today, there was a new and more clever Szabo. I was practicing so hard and then I lost quite a few races in the finish. So I tried a new version tonight. Concerning the proposal to delete all the world records achieved between 1980 and 2000, frankly speaking, it doesn't interest me." [ results below ]

The Men's 3000m SteepleChase race report
For Saif Saaeed Shaheen of Qatar, the former Stephen Cherono of Kenya and last summer’s world champion, Zurich was always going to be his personal version of Athens, since his former Federation had not given him a release to compete at the Olympics for his newly-adopted country.

In a press conference on Thursday, Shaheen had said that with “an even pace of 5:18 through the first 2K”, he had his eye on a time around 7:54 or 7:55. Alas, the first two kilometers spun out in only 5:21.77. Perhaps Shaheen knew the futility at that moment, as he still ran hard for the final kilometre, crossing the line in 8:00.60 and throwing his arms downward in disgust in not having claimed the world’s best time for the year.

Athens-bound Ezekiel Kemboi of Kenya was a distant second in 8:12.75, with his countryman Julius Nyamu third in 8:13.67.

Co-European record holder Bob Tahri of France was able to clip yet another Kenyan, David Chemweno, for fourth, 8:15.21 to 8:15.25, as the other half of the European record duo, Holland’s Simon Vroemen, ran a season-best 8:15.82 for sixth.

And the winner on the photo, Saif Saeed Shaheen of Qatar 8:02.48.

Kemboi was rewarded with a PB 8:02.48 with the 3rd finisher Paul Koech [Kenya] 8:09.54.

Quote : Cherono/Shaheen (Qatar) "I was surprised to see that somebody was with me going into the last lap. It was a tough fight but at the end I managed to keep my top position. It's a special situation for me, and only last week I was really thinking what it means to compete for another country. It will be totally different in Paris. I wll concentrate on the win only and not think about the time. You can be sure I will only run the steeple chase. and not the 5000m. I really don't have any idea what Qatar federation's prize will be for winning gold." [ results below ]

The Women's 800m race report
Just as Felix Sanchez had done moments before in the 400 hurdles, Maria Mutola fought back from her third-place position coming off the final curve to take a 1:57.47 win, her fastest of this Olympic year and her twelfth win at the Letzigrund.

Jearl Miles Clark of the US held the lead position virtually the entire way, with Natalya Lavshuk of Russia running second ahead of Mutola through the final backstretch and throughout the final curve.

But Mutola proved to be the strongest of the three, first clipping Lavshuk at the head of the straightaway and then dispatching Miles Clark over the final twenty metres.

Miles Clark’s second-place 1:58.03 represented a season best, while Lavshuk faded badly to sixth in the final run-in, clocking 1:59.22.

Scrambling over the line ahead of Lavshuk were fellow Russian Svetlana Cherkasova (1:58.34), Nicole Teter of the US (1:58.81) and Mina Ait Hammou of Morocco (1:58.92).

The athlete from Mozambique gives the impression that she is presently doing just enough to win. And fortuntaely, it seems as though her competitors are happy to comply. Racing for a million on each occasion can be no easy call and once the gun sounded for the start and the athletes came out of their lanes in the backstraight they were all content to sit behind Mutola, with the frontrunner, pacesetter Monique Hennagan out front by 3m. Passing through the 1st 400m in 59.40, the entire field was still bunched behind MM, nothing changed and going into the final bend with 200m to go the opposition prepared to unleash their final effort. And still Mutola waited, and it was incredible to see 9 athletes all coming into the final straight simultaneously. She glanced to her right, seeing Stephanie Graf of Austria poised to strike, and then

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The winning time was 1:59.93 with Graf 2nd in 2:00.52 and Germany's Claudia Gesell taking 3rd in 2:01.03

1 to go Maria. But, first the World Championships

Quote : Maria de Lourdes Mutola (Moz) "This was a one-by-one race and business as usual. The hardest race of my career awaits me in Brussels. Let's wait and see." [ results below ]

The Men's 800m race report
The men in the 800-A race had been issued a challenge by the 1:43.11 by Youssef Saad Kamel in the B-race earlier in the evening. It would have been unthinkable for this mark in the “inferior” B-race to survive the night as the world-best time of the season.

Wilfred Bungei of Kenya took matters into his own hands. Tucking in behind Henry Rotich’s opening lap pace of 49.80 (versus the 49.28 tempo in the B-race), Bungei never looked back and scored a stunning wire-to-wire victory in 1:43.06, which barely escaped as the season’s best. But his one-man show in accomplishing it was breathtaking.

Fellow Kenyan William Yiampoy streaked down the outside just before the start of the final curve and was chewing up Bungei’s advantage, but he had to settle for second in 1:43.29, his best for the year. Likewise, a mad chase of Bungei by Joseph Mutua and world-record holder Wilson Kipketer fell short as Mutua held on for third ahead of the Dane, 1:43.85 to 1:43.89.

Hezekiel Sepeng of South Africa finished fifth (1:44.38) ahead of reigning world champion Djabir Said Guerni of Algeria (1:44.87).

Andre Bucher had drawn the biggest decibel reading of the evening from his compatriot Swiss fans when he went to the front right after the gun. But the Edmonton world champion faded at the end to finish eighth in 1:45.56.

It was only the B-race, but Youssef Saad Kamel of Bahrain (formerly Gregory Konchellah of Kenya, son of former world champion Billy Konchellah) ran wide on the final turn and sprinted away for a world-leading 1:43.11 clocking. It was also a new Asian record.

Chasing Kamel down the final straight were Amine Laalou of Morocco in a PB 1:43.68 and Antonio Reina of Spain (1:43.89), the latter having moved up well from the middle of the pack with 250 metres remaining.

David Lelei set a good tempo with 49.28 over the first 400 metres, with Laalou, Bram Som of Holland, and American Jonathon Johnson following. But down the final backstretch the places scrambled quite thoroughly, with only Laalou maintaining his frontrunning position.

Coming towards the 1st 400m, the field was travelling at quite a tempo, witnessed by the 49.86 opening lap. Yet, they were still running 2 to 3 deep with each athlete trying to place himself in the best possible position, quite extraordinary considering the pace. With 220m left Kipketer edged to the front and dramatically moved 2m clear from his pursuers. Mulaudzi was the first to respond with Sepeng on his heels. Coming into the straight the two South Africans switched from the inside and began their drive for the line. Getting past Kipketer didn't come easily at first and the three athletes were locked shoulder to shoulder for at least 30m before 1st the Dane faltered and then Sepeng as Mulaudzi finally broke loose from their attentions to win in 1:44.12, with Sepeng 2nd in 1:44.26 and Kipketer 3rd in a SB [Season's Best] 1:44.36.

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Mehdi Baala [France], rounded off his preparations for a crack at the 1500m crown, by finishing 4th in a handy 1:44.46.

Wilson Kipketer seems to be putting the final touches on his preparations towards Paris. His performance, despite losing, confirmed a steady progression towards his ultimate goal for this year. After witnessing this performance Kipketer will travel to the Champs as my favourite.

Quote : Andre Bucher (Sui) ""The race was off to a fast start. Unfortunately, I didn't go along. With 200m to go, there was some pushing among the pack, and I had to go the long way on lane 3. It simply was a bad race for me but no need to change anything. It's a pity it had to happen in Zurich." [ results below ]

The Men's 1500m race report
In the men's 1500m , world record holder Hicham El Guerrouj was narrowly beaten by Bernard Lagat, who won in 3:27.40. Briton Michael East had a night to forget - well off the leading pace he finished 11th in 3:36.92.

Bernard Lagat extended his season dominance over four-time world champion Hicham El Guerrouj with a 3:27.40 season-leading win over the Moroccan, who also posted a brilliant time of 3:27.64.

Lagat had been a step ahead of El Guerrouj during midpoint of the race, but by the bell, the Moroccan had regained the advantage, which worked well into Lagat’s plans.

As the pair matched each other stride for stride down the backstretch, with less than a metre separating them, El Guerrouj looked ready to pull away at the top of the final curve. But Lagat stayed close, and then ran wide down the final straight to score the win.

Kenyans Isaac Songok (3:30.99 PB) and Paul Korir (3:31.32) took the third and fourth places, with France’s Mehdi Baala (3:32.54) wedging his way in front of Alex Kipchirchir for fifth.

After eight straight victories at Letzigrund by El Guerrouj, it was Lagat's evening to bask in glory.

The race unfolded in its customary fashion with pacesetter David Lelei bolting out for the 1st 400m in 54.14 before slowing to a 800m time of 1:51.81. Time and time again, we seen this, however no one has figured on 2 laps in 55 yet. El Guerrouj moved to the front and the many pretenders to his throne, who were hoping to find a weakness were presented with his normal finesse as he began to turn on the pressure. To witness is to believe. The grace of the seemingly effortless acceleration is normally only understood by the gap that opens and the pain that is normally etched on the face of the pursuers. The Moroccan is the classic cliché, poetry in motion.

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Quote : Bernard Lagat (Ken) "It was great preparation for the Olympic Games. I did not expect such a fast time, but with 100m to go, I was confident to win it. This was what I had wanted for a long time, to beat a great man like Hicham. I will be ready in Athens for any race, slow or fast. "

Quote : Hicham El Guerrouj (Mor) "I'm very happy with the race tonight. I ran very, very well. Everybody knows I was ill but I'm better now and my asthma is under control. Lagat ran an excellent race today, and I'm very happy for him. Yet, I still want to win the gold in Athens and, so God will - Inch'Allah -, it will happen. " [ results below ]

The Men's 5000m race report
Taking the lead from final pacemaker Martin Keino after the 3K mark, John Kibowen never surrendered his advantage, running the final two laps in sub-62 for a 13:01.69 win.

Mushir Salem Jawher of Bahrain, the former Leonard Mucheru of Kenya, finished second in 13:03.43, ahead of another transplanted Kenyan, Abdullah Ahmad Hassan (13:07.08), known until recently as Albert Chepkurui.

A notable result among the other finishers includes the 13:11.97 PB of Ethiopia’s Tariku Bekele, the younger brother of world 10K champion Kenenisa Bekele.

Quote : John Kibowen (Ken) "It's a special feeling to win in Zuirich for the second time in a row. This race gives me a great boost of confidence but it will be tough against the Ethiopians in Athens. We haven't discussed co-operation in our team yet. But I think we'll have one because we want to succeed. " [ results below ]

Middle and Distance Results from Zurich : [ all the other results below ]

Results Men

Cherono in Paris

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3000m SteepleChase
1 Shaheen Saif Saaeed QAT 8:00.60
2 Kemboi Ezekiel KEN 8:12.75
3 Nyamu Julius KEN 8:13.67
4 Tahri Bouabdallah FRA 8:15.21
5 Chemweno David KEN 8:15.25
6 Vroemen Simon NED 8:15.82
7 Matelong Richard KEN 8:16.24
8 Misoi Kipkirui KEN 8:17.28
9 Lincoln Daniel USA 8:23.50
10 Kiprotich Wesley KEN 8:26.53
11 Blanco José Luis ESP 8:28.21
12 Boit Kipketer Wilson KEN 8:30.48
Jiménez Antonio David ESP DNF
Langat John KEN DNF
Le Dauphin Vincent FRA DNF

800m
1 Bungei Wilfred KEN 1:43.06
2 Yiampoy William KEN 1:43.29
3 Mutua Joseph KEN 1:43.85
4 Kipketer Wilson DEN 1:43.89
5 Sepeng Hezekiél RSA 1:44.38
6 Saïd-Guerni Djabir ALG 1:44.87
7 Koech Justus KEN 1:44.91
8 Bucher André SUI 1:45.56
9 Mulaudzi Mbulaeni RSA 1:46.89
Rotich Henry KEN DNF

800m B Race
1 Kamel Youssef Saad BRN 1:43.11
2 Laalou Amine MAR 1:43.68
3 Reina Antonio Manuel ESP 1:43.89
4 Chirchir William KEN 1:44.75
5 Longo Andrea ITA 1:44.83
6 Robinson Khadevis USA 1:44.89
7 Krummenacker David USA 1:44.93
8 Yemmouni Mounir FRA 1:45.25
9 Aïssat Nicolas FRA 1:45.28
10 Som Bram NED 1:46.51
11 Jansen Joeri BEL 1:47.05
12 Johnson Jonathan USA 1:47.63
Lelei David KEN DNF
Olmedo Manuel ESP DNF

1500m
1 Lagat Bernard KEN WL 3:27.40
2 El Guerrouj Hicham MAR 3:27.64
3 Songok Isaac Kiprono KEN 3:30.99
4 Korir Paul KEN 3:31.32
5 Baala Mehdi FRA 3:32.54
6 Kipchirchir Alex KEN 3:32.74
7 Rotich Laban KEN 3:34.11
8 Willis Nicholas NZL 3:34.53
9 Sullivan Kevin CAN 3:34.69
10 Shabunin Vyacheslav RUS 3:36.25
11 East Michael GBR 3:36.92
12 Silva Rui POR 3:37.99
13 Ngeny Noah KEN 3:40.46
14 Mottram Craig AUS 3:46.80
Hatungimana Arthémon BDI DNF
Kipkurui Benjamin KEN DNF

5000m
1 Kibowen John KEN 13:01.69
2 Jawher Mushir Salim BRN 13:03.43
3 Hassan Abdullah Ahmad QAT 13:07.08
4 Songok Boniface Kiprotich KEN 13:08.01
5 Chebii Abraham KEN 13:08.01
6 Kamathi Charles KEN 13:11.41
7 Bekele Tariku ETH 13:11.97
8 Choge Augustine Kiprono KEN 13:15.56
9 Chenonge Hillary KEN 13:18.11
10 Martínez José Manuel ESP 13:18.56
11 Sghyr Ismaïl FRA 13:19.77
12 Korir John Cheruiyot KEN 13:20.31
13 Limo Richard KEN 13:22.20
14 Lebid Sergiy UKR 13:25.64
15 Carroll Mark IRL 13:38.40
16 Abate Abiyote ETH 13:40.58
Keino Martin KEN DNF
Kiplak David KEN DNF
Mosop Moses KEN DNF
Saïdi-Sief Ali ALG DNF

Women Results

1500m
1 Janowska Wioletta POL 4:03.09
2 Holmes Kelly GBR 4:03.48
3 Okninska Lidia POL 4:04.04
4 Fernández Nuria ESP 4:04.14
5 Cioncan Maria ROM 4:04.18
6 Tullett Hayley GBR 4:04.76
7 Douma-Hussar Carmen CAN 4:05.37
8 Rodríguez Natalia ESP 4:05.38
9 Sacramento Carla POR 4:05.61
10 Tollefson Carrie USA 4:06.13
11 Martins Maria FRA 4:06.16
12 Jamieson Sarah AUS 4:06.23
13 Toomey Jennifer USA 4:06.61
14 Varga Judit HUN 4:07.18
15 Rudolph Amy USA 4:07.64
16 Elmore Malindi CAN 4:09.23
Favor Hamilton Suzy USA DNF
Kosenkova Yuliya RUS DNF

3000m
1 Masai Edith KEN 8:36.43
2 Zenebech Tola ETH 8:40.32
3 O'Sullivan Sonia IRL 8:41.42
4 Pavey Joanne GBR 8:46.58
5 Kibiwot Viola KEN 8:51.97
6 Butler Kathy GBR 8:52.34
7 Chenonge Ines KEN 8:52.64
8 Johnson Benita AUS 8:53.20
9 Kipchumba Irene Kwambai KEN 8:53.64
10 Mondor Émilie CAN 8:53.77
11 Mockenhaupt Sabrina GER 8:55.34
12 Flanagan Shalane USA 8:58.36
13 Melkamu Meselech ETH 9:05.33
14 Alemu Derbe ETH 9:17.58
15 Inzikuru Docus UGA 9:32.53
Babcock Courtney CAN DNF
Belyakova Oksana RUS DNF
Runyan Marla USA DNF

800m

Maria Mutola

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Other results from meeting - here

This report from our Time-to-Run contributor

Time-to-Run Golden League Zurich Weltklasse