Ismael Debjani‘s rapid rise among the European middle distance elite over the last two seasons took a massive leap in Hengelo, as he not only claimed the 1500m national record, but also moved past Mo Farah (3:34.19) to take over the top spot on the ’17 European 1500m performance chart. Debjani’s historical performance in Hengelo placed him 4th in a race won by Sadik Mikhou in a new ’17 world-leading time of 3:31.70. A newcomer to the Personae-managed team, Debjani last month also established a new personal best of 1:46.40 for 800m (’17 Europe no. 12). His previous PB over 1500m was last season’s 3:35.62, set at Night of Athletics in Heusden.
Additional Personae athletes with noteworthy performances in Hengelo included Mamush Lencha in the 800m (2nd in 1:46.09); Anne Zagre in the 100m Hurdles (4th in 13.11); Philip Milanov in the Discus (5th in 64.04); Homiyu Tesfaye in the 1500m (7th in 3:34.20, ’17 Europe no. 3). Other track highlights from earlier this month included Homiyu Tesfaye‘s 2nd place time of 3:34.71 in the 1500m at the Odlozil Memorial in Prague on 5 June, as well as Kipyegon Bett‘s 2nd place in the 800m (1:46.00) at the Rome Diamond League meeting on 8. June.
Finally, on the road, Agnes Barsosio followed up her world-class performance in April at the Paris Marathon (2nd in 2:20:59, still ’17 world no. 5) by winning the Ceske Budejovice Half Marathon on 3 June in a time of 1:09:53.