Long distance runner Felicien Muhitira set a personal best 14:11.12 in the men's 5000m heat one semi-finals on Wednesday morning at the ongoing IAAF World Athletics Championships in Beijing, China.
1. Hagos Gebrhiwet (Ethiopia) 13:45.002. Ben True (USA) 13:45.093. Edwin Cheruiyot Soi (Kenya) 13:45.284. Tom Farrell (Great Britain) 13:45.295. Imane Merga (Ethiopia) 13:45.4117. Félicien Muhitira (Rwanda) 14:11.12
Long distance runner Félicien Muhitira set a personal best 14:11.12 in the men's 5000m heat one semi-finals on Wednesday morning at the ongoing IAAF World Athletics Championships in Beijing, China.
The 21-year old was competing in this category for the first time on the international scene after receiving an invitation from the world governing body, IAAF, under the provision of handing out wild cards to countries that have not qualified an athlete.
Muhitira dropped off the leading pack at the 2000m mark but held on to finish 17th in heat 1 that was won by Ethiopian Hagos Gebrhiwet who set 13:45.00.
The top five in each heat and the next five fastest qualified for the final which will be on Saturday. Ben True (USA), Edwin Cheruiyot Soi (Kenya), Tom Farrell (Great Britain) and Imane Merga (Ethiopia) made up the top five in heat 1.
Recently crowned 10000m champion Mo Farah survived a scare after he was tripped in the last lap setting the second fastest time in the round 13:19.44 to qualify for the final.
Farah, Kenya's Caleb Ndiku and Yomif Kejelcha from Ethiopia are the favourites to win gold on Saturday.