The duo clock 13:29 and 14:44 on the streets of Monaco to set 5k road world records.

Julien Wanders and Sifan Hassan ran 13:29 and 14:44 to set ‘official’ male and female 5k road world records at the Monaco Run Herculis 5km on Sunday (February 17).

The distance was only recognised as a world record event by the IAAF in January 2018 with previous faster times ineligible for ‘world record’ status.

The fastest ever 5k time on the roads of 13:00 was run by Sammy Kipketer in 2000, while the quickest female time of 14:32 was run by Joyciline Jepkosgei in 2017.

When world record recognition for the road event was introduced the IAAF stated the inaugural world record would be recognised after January 1 in 2018 if the performances were equal to or better than 13:10 for men and 14:45 for women. If no such performances were achieved in 2018, the best performances of 2018 would be recognised on January 1 this year.

Switzerland’s Wanders time of 13:29 bettered the former world record by a second, while Norway’s Sondre Nordstad Moen was next across the finish line in the men’s race in a time of 13:37.

The new world record holder is coming off the strongest few weeks in his career after taking the European half marathon record from Mo Farah just last week.

Wanders is now the 5km world record holder, the 10km European record holder and European half marathon record holder.

Poland’s Krystian Zalewski ran a PB of 13:52 to finish third a few days running at the Armagh 5k.

Likewise, GB’s Luke Traynor raced in Armagh and produced a PB of 14:08 in Monaco to finish fifth, one place ahead of Adam Clarke who posted 14:11.

Hassan’s run of 14:44 in Monaco smashed the previous world record of 15:48 ran by Sarah Pagano from the USA.

Photo: Global Sports Communication

The Dutch athlete has been in superb form over the last 12 months including setting European records for 5000m and in the half marathon.

Finishing second in the women’s race was GB’s Laura Weightman who crossed the finish line in 15:29, four seconds outside her personal best.

UK based Anna Emilie Møller ran a Danish record of 15:36 to finish in third place, while Emelia Gorecka finished sixth in a time of 16:44.

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