World indoor mile record-holder Yomif Kejelcha stormed to a 26:37 10km win in the northern Spanish town of Laredo on Saturday (16). 

With that performance at the World Athletics Label event, the Ethiopian 26-year-old achieved the third-fastest men’s 10km of all time. Only Rhonex Kipruto with his world record of 26:24 set in Valencia four years ago and Berihu Aregawi with his 26:33 run in Laredo last year have gone faster.

Racing under ideal weather conditions on a 15ºC windless afternoon, Kejelcha was perfectly paced by his fellow Ethiopian Addisu Yihune, himself the reigning world U20 5000m champion. They went through the opening kilometres at a steady 2:38 pace, the tempo needed to attack the world best.

Meanwhile, Uganda’s Joshua Cheptegei travelled a few metres behind in the company of his own pacemaker, his compatriot Naman Kipyeko, but the world 5000m and 10,000m record-holder began to lose ground some six minutes into the race. By the third kilometre, Kejelcha became a virtual victor as he had built a seven-second gap on the Ugandan, with 7:54 and 8:01 their respective times at that point.

Despite being well on schedule to challenge the world record, Kejelcha overtook Yihune before reaching the fourth kilometre and from then on it was a solo run by the two-time world indoor 3000m champion, who went through halfway in a promising 13:10. Cheptegei ran nine seconds in arrears in the company of Yihune. 

Over the second half, Kejelcha maintained a frantic rhythm in the 2:38/2:40 per kilometre range to increase his advantage on Cheptegei.

Over the closing two kilometres, Kejelcha could not maintain the pace on his own and despite his huge effort he romped home 13 seconds shy of the coveted mark and four seconds off the Ethiopian record. As for Cheptegei, the 27-year-old finished in 26:53, his third-quickest time and 15 seconds slower than the then world record of 26:38 he set in Valencia in December 2019. 

Surprisingly, the 20-year-old pacemaker Yihune completed the race in a massive lifetime best of 27:28.

Week 19th Ethiopian Premier league fixture brings the two title aspiring heavy weights Ethiopia Bunna and Fasil Ketema to a head on clash on Thursday while back in title race after defeating NegedBank, Mechal entertains Wolayta Dicha.Newly appointed head coach Netsnet Kibre’s astonishing ten matches unbeaten run came to an end with a 2-1 defeat by Diredawa followed by another 3-1loss to Baherdar. Though still in the title race the team’s overall confidence has gone down following the back to back defeat. Therefore they face Fasil Ketema on Thursday with a mut win situation for a third consecutive defeat could send them down in the table. Some suggests a third defeat could mean a huge blow to coach  Nesanet for patience is one thing very rare at Ethiopia Bunna.Two wins two draws and one defeat in the past five matches Wubetu Abate’s under achievers Fasil Ketema is also in a must win situation inorder to catch up with the league leaders. Three new faces in the squad including a foreign striker, Fasil has the edge of winning the  big showdown on Thursday. Critics suggested that the team is much dependant on veteran goal getter Getaneh Kebede and the new attacking partner could bring real difference in the team’s future. Fasil is currently 4th in the table with 30 points while it’s encounter Ethiopia Bunna is one point behind to sit fifth.The 2-0 victory over league leaders Ethiopia NegedBank appears to be the very right remedial for Mechal’s recovery from the shocking three defeats in five matches including the 4-0 drubbing by Ethiopia Bunna. A win on Thursday over Wolayta Dicha could mean Gebrekrstos Birra’s side is once again in its first ever title contention in recent times. The much needed defensive midfielder already signed veteran play maker Shimeles Bekele could be back into his free role position thus things could be easier for striker Kenan Markneh. Three defeats and two draws in the past five matches including the 2-1 defeat at the hands of relegation threatened Shashemene, Dicha needs a win by all means in order to stay safe from the drop zone. 11th in the roaster collecting 20 points from 18 matches, Dicha is expected to rise to the occasion for many of the away supporters are said to march to Diredawa.