1,500m World Lead for Iguider in Glasgow

Published by IAAF on February 20, 2016

Fresh from breaking the world indoor 1000m record in Stockholm three days ago, Ayanleh Souleiman was targeting a 3:33 performance over 1500m at the Glasgow Indoor Grand Prix, the fourth and final IAAF World Indoor Tour meeting of 2016, but the reigning world indoor champion over the distance had to concede defeat to the perennially underrated Moroccan Abdelaati Iguider on Saturday (20).

Iguider, Souleiman’s predecessor as the 1500m world indoor champion arrived fresh from a world-leading 3000m time of 7:39.04 in Stockholm on Wednesday and although the pacemakers didn’t hit their target times – 1:53 at 800m and 2:21 at 1000m – Iguider wrestled the lead from the pre-race favourite with 300 metres remaining and had speed to burn on the last lap, pulling away for another world-lead in 3:34.94 with Souleiman second in 3:36.30. 

Iguider and Souleiman could meet again at the IAAF World Indoor Championships Portland 2016, the event fits into both of their plans, but Iguider hasn’t confirmed whether he will go for his second 1500m title or step up to the 3000m.