David Rudisha: strong finish to beat Mark English (right) and Martyn Rooney
ENDURANCE topped raw speed on the streets of Newcastle as Kenyan 800m Olympic winner David Rudisha got the better of a fast-starting Martyn Rooney to win in a world best of 57.7.
The world record-holder over 800m bided his time on Rooney’s shoulder before his pedigree over the longer distances shone through, entering the final 150 metres in first place as he flew down the Mondo track and held off Mark English, who was second with 57.91.
The sight of the Kenyan front-running has become a feature of his races, but Rudisha allowed Rooney, the European 400m champion, who was third in a British record of 59.02, to shoot off from the gun and take the early metres by the scruff of the neck.
A brief gap opened up in an early downhill part of the course, which Rudisha soon closed, working on to the Brit’s shoulder and kicking his way past him with 200 metres remaining before English edged out Rooney inside the final 80 metres.