Geberkidane turns a few heads en route to a 14:46.50 at Arvada West. Photo contibuted by Della Moore.
If you looked at the times Cerake Geberkidane posted in his three meets leading up to this meet, it wasn't difficult to see this one coming.
A 15:12 at Arapahoe. A 15:15 at St. Vrain. A 15:27 on a muddy Denver North course. You just knew something big would break when Geberkidane hit a truly fast course. This afternoon, all that happened when Geberkidane destroyed the Arvada West course in a scorching 14:46.50.
The time is definitely faster than any 5K time posted in any state meet in Colorado. I know of no other records of faster times on any recognized course. This should be the new Colorado standard.
Geberkidane's effort was of the solo variety--as most of his efforts this fall must necessarily be. Second place went to Arvada West's Connor Lockwood, 1:13 back, but still under 16 minutes. When you're dropping the 16-flat guys like flies, there isn't much in the way of company to be found.
The biggest difference between Geberkidane this year and the Geberkidane of years past is the part of the race that follows two miles. Many of us recall Geberkidane leading the pack of the 2011 5A state race at the Arapahoe County Fairgrounds around the first circuit. He paid dearly for that on the second circuit. The difference is not lost on Shawne Anderson, one of the Denver East coaches, "It's the first time I think we've seen him work like that through the last mile. Miles one and two have never been a problem for him, but mentally he has never been a finisher."
Geberkidane was definitely a finisher on Friday. Anderson adds, "He just went for it and you could see and hear the effort, you could see him fighting through it. His teammates were great; they were all over the course and lined the last mile to help pull him through. It was just fun to see and I am excited to see what comes next."
And, of course, a time like this means checking and rechecking the measurements. Nobody wants a repeat of the 2003 state course fiasco. If you know Arvada West coach Della Moore, you know she's serious about her cross country, "I personally wheeled the course yesterday morning, and it is exactly 5,000 Meters to the step."
And, Moore shared the awe over Geberkidane's race, "It didn’t appear that there were a ton of PRs set. Cerake just ran incredibly fast – around 4:35 for his first mile, and under 9:20 at two miles."
For now, Geberkidane's effort has him ranked at the top of the nation for 5000 meters. And that with an effort at over a mile of elevation. Like Coach Anderson, we're all excited to see what comes next.