Letesenbet Gidey reigns supreme in women's 5000m in ISTAF as debutant Jebitok seals podium

10,000m world record holder Letesenbet Gidey has shut down a strong field at the ISTAF Berlin championships clocking a meeting record time of 14:08.79 to win the women’s 5000m.

Gidey floored the Kenyan duo of Winnie Jemutai and debutant Edinah Jebitok who finished second and third in respective times 14:56.99 and 15:01.97.

World 3000m Steeplechase record holder Beatrice Chepkoech was the pacesetter in the race and the Ethiopian lauded the Kenyan for her great skills.

In a post-race interview, Gidey said: “The race was good, I feel really good. The pace from Chepkoech was perfect. But today it was a little bit windy, so it was very hard at the end. Because of this wind, I could not run a better time. I really like to come to ISTAF.”

Another Kenyan in the race was Celestine Biwot who finished sixth in a time of 15:03.33.

This marks the second 5000m race of the 2023 season. She opened her track season at the Diamond League Meeting in Paris where she finished second in 14:07.94.

She was in action at the just-concluded World Championships in Budapest, Hungary where she finished second in the 10,000m. She clocked 31:28.16 to finish behind compatriot Gudaf Tsegay.