WALNUT, California, April 17 (AFP) - Germany’s Sabrina Mockenhaupt turned in the fastest 10,000m time in the world this year at the Mt. SAC Relays to meet the qualifying standard for the Athens Olympics.
Mockenhaupt won the event - which featured more than 40 runners - in 31min 23.35sec.
She took control from American Sylvia Mosqueda at the halfway point and never looked back as she turned in a second 5,000m faster than her first.
Mockenhaupt assured herself of a place on the team for the Athens Games in August with the time well inside theA'' standard of 31:45.00. I was hoping for something around 31:38,’’ saidMockenhaupt, who has been training at altitude inArizona. ``But 31:23? I cant believe it!’’
Mockenhaupt’s performance highlighted the meeting’sdistance carnival on Friday night.
The meeting continues on Sunday when sprinters MarionJones, Tim Montgomery and Maurice Greene take centrestage.