The time of 8:32.62 allowed Jeroen D’Hoedt to surpass the previous early-season leading European time of 8:33.09, established by Zak Seddon of Great Britain on 1 April. Positioned near the front throughout the race, D’Hoedt along with Jose Pena (Venezuela) and Andres Camargo (Columbia) separated themselves from the rest of the field over the last 600m, with Pena winning the close finish in 8:31.48, ahead of D’Hoedt and Camargo (8:33.82).
The time is D’Hoedt’s second-fastest career performance, behind his 8:30.03 personal best, set last year at KBC Night of Athletics in Heusden (9th on all-time Belgium performers chart). It also meets the steeplechase qualifying standard for this year’s European Athletics Championships, to be held 6-10 July in Amsterdam. D’Hoedt is scheduled to return to the United States in two weeks, to again compete in the 3000m steeplechase at the Payton Jordan Invitational in Stanford, California.
Happy with my season opener! Second place and qualified for @Amsterdam2016! 🇳🇱 💪🏻 #8.32 #Asics @ADEPS_OFFICIEL pic.twitter.com/R4JB6DCBYM
— Jeroen D’hoedt (@Jeroen_Dhoedt) 16 april 2016