1500M

1500m Finals Recap Written by By Chris Lotsbom, @ChrisLotsbom
(c) 2016 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved.

Runner’s Tribe

1500m

“Are you kidding me? Are you f*****g kidding me?”

Matthew Centrowitz couldn’t help but boisterously celebrate America’s first Olympic gold medal over 1500 meters since 1908. Running on the inside of lane one the entire way, Centrowitz avoided the heavy jostling and bumping that derailed Kenya’s Asbel Kiprop and many others in the field. Centrowitz’s winning mark of 3:50.00 was the slowest since 1932, explaining the tactical affair.

Leading the entire field through 400 meters in 66.83 and 800m in 2:16.59, Centrowitz maintained his position at the pole while Kiprop and reigning Olympic gold medalist Taoufik Makhloufi of Algeria sat far back. Laser focused, the Nike Oregon Project athlete slowly but surely began to step on the gas pedal.

When Kenya’s Ronald Kwemoi tripped and fell around halfway, everyone seemed to increase their tempo a notch, though the pace was still comfortably quick. At the bell, the octave increased in dramatic fashion: Djibouti’s Ayanleh Souleiman tripped ever so slightly, Kiprop and Makhloufi exchanged shoves, all the while Centrowitz calmly led the field in first. Positioning was do or die, and Centrowitz was in the absolute best spot.

With 250m to go, Centrowitz still kept the lead and began unleashing the breathtaking speed that helped him win World Indoor gold earlier this year. No once could overtake the former Oregon Duck in the stretch thanks to his 50.62 final lap. The gold was Centrowitz’s, sending a bit of a shockwave through the field. Centrowitz himself was stunned.

“I don’t think there’s any achievement in this sport that tops that. No world record, no medal — the Olympics is the pinnacle of track and field. This is the best it gets,” he told USATF. “I’ve been joking since [I won], I’ve gotten this medal that I donít have to do anything for the rest of my career. Itís not a complete failure. It has not sunk in and itís a dream come true.”

Makhloufi got his second silver medal of the games in 3:50.11 (he also earned silver in the 800m) while New Zealand’s Nick Willis eeked out third by .05 over Souleiman, 3:50.24 to 3:50.29. Kiprop wound up sixth in 3:50.87.

“I don’t think it’s sunk in yet. The last hour or so has been unbelievable. I’ve had an email from Jim Ryun coming into the race just wishing me good luck. Seb Coe gave me the medal. [Mile world record holder Hicham] El Guerrouj is back there wishing me luck before the race. Everything leading up to it, during and after has just been surreal,” Centrowitz said.

“I’m a confident guy, but I donít know that I was this confident. I’ve [got] a lot of respect for everyone in that field, itís an Olympic final. I treated every round as if it was the final,” he said. “Never took anything for granted. Kiprop is one of the greatest milers in the history of the 1500. These guys were ready. I thought on the best day I could get a silver medal. In the back of my head I thought I could get a gold. Coming away with a gold, again, is unbelievable.”



Australian Ryan Gregson survived a tactical affair in the men’s 1500m final, to run home strongly in ninth in 3:51.39. In a physical battle for position, Ryan’s performance is Australia’s best result in the event since 1976 when Graham Crouch finished eighth at the Montreal Games. @AthsAust


FINAL RESULTS

1. Matthew CENTROWITZ, USA 3:50.00 GOLD

[last 400m 50.62]

2. Taoufik MAKHLOUFI, ALG 3:50.11 SILVER

3. Nick WILLIS, NZL 3:50.24 BRONZE

4. Ayanleh SOULEIMAN, DJI 3:50.29

5. Abdalaati IGUIDER, MAR 3:50.58

6. Asbel KIPROP, KEN 3:50.87

7. David BUSTOS, ESP 3:51.06

8. Ben BLANKENSHIP, USA 3:51.09

9. Ryan GREGSON, AUS 3:51.39

10. Nate BRANNEN, CAN 3:51.45

11. Ronald MUSAGALA, UGA 3:51.68

12. Charlie GRICE, GBR 3:51.73

13. Ronald KWEMOI, KEN 3:56.76

Intermediate Times:

400m: 1:06.83, Matthew CENTROWITZ, USA

800m: 2:16.59, Matthew CENTROWITZ, USA

1200m: 3:12.00, Matthew CENTROWITZ, USA






































Gregson’s Road to the Final & Aussie/NZ men in the 800 


Semi-Finals (18):

NOTE: Advance first 5 of each heat (Q) plus the 2 fastest times (q) to final


Heat 1:

Asbel Kiprop gracefully went from back of pack to pole position in the final circuit, coming side by side with Ben Blankenship. The Kenyan was simply too much to handle down the stretch, crossing first in 3:39.73. The final lap of 52.93 didn’t serve to break up the field too much, as a whole clump of seven athletes finished within a second of runner-up Taoufik Makhloufi (3:39.88). Nick Willis nabbed third in 3:39.96, a step up on Blankenship (3:39.99). As he did in the prelims, Willis was patient in the homestretch, not panicking when boxed. One can tell his veteran experience is coming in handy through the rounds. @ChrisLotsbom Race Results Weekly


1. Asbel KIPROP, KEN 3:39.73 Q

2. Taoufik MAKHLOUFI, ALG 3:39.88 Q

3. Nick WILLIS, NZL 3:39.96 Q

4. Ben BLANKENSHIP, USA 3:39.99 Q

5. Charlie GRICE, GBR 3:40.05 Q

6. Abdalaati IGUIDER, MAR 3:40.11 q

7. Nate BRANNEN, CAN 3:40.20 q

8. Benson SEUREI, BRN 3:40.53

9. Jakub HOLUäA, CZE 3:40.83

10. Dawit WOLDE, ETH 3:41.42

11. Henrik INGEBRIGTSEN, NOR 3:42.51

12. Pieter-Jan HANNES, BEL 3:43.71

13. Brahim KAAZOUZI, MAR 3:48.66

Intermediate Times:

400m: 1:03.11, Brahim KAAZOUZI, MAR

800m: 2:03.86, Brahim KAAZOUZI, MAR

1200m: 3:00.50, Benson SEUREI, BRN


Heat 2 –

As the bell rang, Ayanleh Souleiman took control and pushed the charge forward with Ronald Kwemoi and Matthew Centrowitz. Winding up with 400m circuits of 56.87 (from 800 to 1200m) and 52.53 (1100 to 1500m), the aforementioned trio were able to subtly create a slight gap on the field, finishing in 3:39.42 (Kwemoi), 3:39.46 (Souleiman), and 3:39.61 (Centrowitz). Britain’s Chris O’Hare, who had snuck into third spot with 200m to go, ran out of gas in the stretch and faded to tenth in 3:44.27. 


Mid-pack, there was an awful lot of bumping and jostling. Spain’s David Bustos got forced off the track with a half lap to go, taking multiple steps inside the rail and barely avoiding a fall. As a result of the pushing, Bustos got advanced on to the final. 


American Robby Andrews was not as lucky. Trying to pass on the inside with 50m left, Ethiopian Mekonnen Gebremdhin forced Andrews over the rail and onto the infield for two steps. Andrews was subseqently disqualified, though it appeared there was nothing else he could do in the situation. Kenyan Elijah Manangoi was unable to start due to injury. @ChrisLotsbom Race Results Weekly


1. Ronald KWEMOI, KEN 3:39.42 Q

2. Ayanleh SOULEIMAN, DJI 3:39.46 Q

3. Matthew CENTROWITZ, USA 3:39.61 Q

4. Ryan GREGSON, AUS 3:40.02 Q

5. Ronald MUSAGALA, UGA 3:40.37 Q

6. Mekonnen GEBREMEDHIN, ETH 3:40.69

7. Homiyu TESFAYE, GER 3:40.76

8. Charles PHILIBERT-THIBOUTOT, CAN 3:40.79

9. Fouad EL KAAM, MAR 3:40.93

10. Chris O’HARE, GBR 3:44.27

11. David BUSTOS, ESP 3:56.54 q

DQ– Robby ANDREWS, USA [IAAF Rule 163.4 / had finished in automatic qualifying spot in 3:40.25]
DNS– Elijah Motonei MANANGOI, KEN

Intermediate Times:

400m: 59.67, Ronald MUSAGALA, UGA

800m: 2:03.59, Ronald MUSAGALA, UGA

1200m: 3:00.45, Ayanleh SOULEIMAN, DJI





On the track, 26-year-old Ryan Gregson has stormed his way into the Olympic 1500m final, running a smart and controlled race to finish fourth in 3:40.02 to automatically progress.


Which he did, emphatically with his trademark big kick.


“I’m just trying to be like a Melbourne Cup jockey who’s just patient-patient, waiting for the straight then I get a nice clear run,” Gregson said.


Gregson is the first Australian to make an Olympic 1500m final in 40 years – the event in which our first ever Olympian Edwin Flack won back in 1896. When asked about the long drought since the last Australian finalist, Gregson said, “It has been a long time – it’s a huge achievement I just did then. I realise that.


“If I retire tomorrow, that would be a great career – because I’ve finally made a championship final and I picked the Olympics to do it. I am the Australian record holder so I probably am expected to start making finals – so I’m glad I delivered,” Gregson said.  


    @AthsAust Athletics Australia











Prelims (16):

NOTE: Advance first 6 of each heat (Q) plus the 6 fastest times (q) to semi-finals


Heat 1 –

The first section was an all-out sprint for the line, as seven men finished within a second of one another. Five men were abreast coming down the stretch, with Asbel Kiprop gaining the slightest edge on Ryan Gregson and Ayanleh Souleiman. Chris O’Hare, Matthew Centrowitz, and Fouad El Kaam completed the automatic qualifiers.         @ChrisLotsbom Race Results Weekly


1. Asbel KIPROP, KEN 3:38.97 Q

2. Ryan GREGSON, AUS 3:39.13 Q

3. Ayanleh SOULEIMAN, DJI 3:39.25 Q

4. Chris O’HARE, GBR 3:39.26 Q

5. Matthew CENTROWITZ, USA 3:39.31 Q

6. Fouad EL KAAM, MAR 3:39.51 Q

7. David BUSTOS, ESP 3:39.73 q

8. Charles PHILIBERT-THIBOUTOT, CAN 3:40.04 q

9. Julian MATTHEWS, NZL 3:40.40

10. Florian CARVALHO, FRA 3:41.87

11. Thiago ANDR», BRA 3:44.42

12. Santino KENYI, SSD 3:45.27 NR/PB

13. Saud ALZAABI, UAE 4:02.35

DNS– Aman WOTE, ETH ETH DNS

Intermediate Times:

400m: 59.52, Florian CARVALHO, FRA

800m: 1:59.94, Florian CARVALHO, FRA

1200m: 2:57.68, Fouad EL KAAM, MAR


Ryan Gregson (Vic) looked to be in trouble early during the men’s 1500m heat, where he found himself boxed in and in danger of missing out on progressing to the semi-finals. However, his experience shone through, and the trademark kick of the Victorian nicknamed ‘Little King’ saw him steam home in 2nd place in a time of 3:39.13 to advance to the semis. @AthsAust











Impressive run by @ryangregson25 as he advances to the semi final of the men’s 1500m! #rio2016 #oneteam #athletics


A photo posted by Athletics NSW (@athleticsnsw) on 










Heat 2 –

 A wild finish played out in the final stretch, seeing athletes tangle and one get DQ’d. A day after winning silver in the 800m, Taoufik Makhloufi surged in the last lap to grab the lead, winning the section by the slimmest margin on Elijah Manangoi and by a step on Robby Andrews. But the big action happened behind the top three. With multiple athletes battling for the final automatic qualifier spots, Norway’s Filip Ingebrigtsen tried a bold maneuver, squeezing between Germany’s Homiyu Tesfaye and Britain’s Charlie Grice. Extending his arms, Ingebrigtsen’s contact impacted everyone’s forward momentum; he’d ultimately be DQ’d by referees. Grice got the worst of the exchange, fading to tenth; luckily both he and Tesfaye would advance to the semi-finals after a protest.                          @ChrisLotsbom Race Results Weekly


1. Taoufik MAKHLOUFI, ALG 3:46.82 Q

2. Elijah MANANGOI, KEN 3:46.83 Q

3. Robby ANDREWS, USA 3:46.97 Q

4. Nate BRANNEN, CAN 3:47.07 Q

5. Mekonnen GEBREMEDHIN, ETH 3:47.33 Q

6. Brahim KAAZOUZI, MAR 3:47.39 Q

7. Homiyu TESFAYE, GER 3:47.44 q [Obstructed by Filip Ingebrigtsen]
 8. Hamish CARSON, NZL 3:48.18

9. Adel MECHAAL, ESP 3:48.41

10. Charlie GRICE, GBR 3:48.51 q [Obstructed by Filip Ingebrigtsen]
11. Paulo AMOTUN, ROT 4:03.96

12. Augusto SOARES, TLS 4:11.35 PB

DQ– Filip INGEBRIGTSEN, NOR [IAAF Rule 163.2]
DNF– Abdi Waiss MOUHYADIN, DJI

Intermediate Times:

400m: 1:05.97, Elijah MANANGOI, KEN

800m: 2:11.67, Elijah MANANGOI, KEN

1200m: 3:07.70, Elijah MANANGOI, KEN





Heat 3 –

Aware of the times the other two sections had run, this heat began quick though soon settled into a relatively modest pace before picking up again. At the bell, a vast majority of the field was bunched together fighting for position and momentum. A 53.66 final lap saw ten men finish within a second of winner Jakub Holusa (3:38:31), including Nick Willis (sixth, 3:38.55) and Ben Blankenship (ninth, 3:38.92). Willis ran a masterfully tactical race, sticking towards the back until 200 meters remained, when he dipped and dodged his way into sixth.                                                                                           @ChrisLotsbom Race Results Weekly


1. Jakub HOLUäA, CZE 3:38.31 Q

2. Ronald KWEMOI, KEN 3:38.33 Q

3. Abdalaati IGUIDER, MAR 3:38.40 Q

4. Ronald MUSAGALA, UGA 3:38.45 Q

5. Henrik INGEBRIGTSEN, NOR 3:38.50 Q

6. Nick WILLIS, NZL 3:38.55 Q

7. Benson SEUREI, BRN 3:38.82 q

8. Pieter-Jan HANNES, BEL 3:38.89 q

9. Ben BLANKENSHIP, USA 3:38.92 q

10. Dawit WOLDE, ETH 3:39.29 q

11. Salim KEDDAR, ALG 3:40.63

12. Luke MATHEWS, AUS 3:44.51

13. Ilham Tanui ÷ZBILEN, TUR 3:49.02

14. Mohammed RAGEH, YEM 3:58.99

15. Erick RODRIGUEZ, NCA 4:00.30

Intermediate Times:

400m: 59.23, Benson SEUREI, BRN

800m: 2:00.28, Benson SEUREI, BRN

1200m: 2:58.92, Benson SEUREI, BRN






Read about rising star, Luke Mathews awesome Road to Rio by clicking here.
Read about rising star, Luke Mathews, awesome Road to Rio by clicking here.


Read the #littleking Ryan Gregson's Road to Rio interview here.
Read the #littleking Ryan Gregson’s Road to Rio interview here.


More Reading


Read the Women's 800m Olympic Recap
Read the Women’s 800m Olympic Recap


Read the Men's 800m Olympic Recap
Read the Men’s 800m Olympic Recap




    



    

    
RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR
 
	

        	            
Comments are closed.