Athletics at the 2012 Summer Olympics – Men's 10,000 metres

Summary

From the opening lap, Mo Farah positioned himself near the front, where defending champion Kenenisa Bekele and his brother Tariku led the pack. After six laps, half marathon world record holder Zersenay Tadese and his Eritrean teammates increased the tempo. A fall by Moses Kipsiro broke up the group, pushing Farah back alongside his American training partner Galen Rupp. Tariku Bekele tried to pick up the pace behind Tadese but instead slowed it down. The halfway point of 5000 metres came at 14:05.79 with Tadese in front, though Bedan Karoki Muchiri soon took over. Thirteen runners remained in contention, including three Ethiopians, three Eritreans, two Kenyans, Kipsiro, Kenyan-born Polat Kemboi Arikan for Turkey, Canadian Cameron Levins, Farah, and Rupp. Tariku elbowed Farah, who stepped wide to prepare for a potential surge. Gebregziabher Gebremariam moved to the front but appeared to slow the pace. With two laps left, Tariku regained the lead with Farah on his shoulder, followed by Moses Ndiema Masai, Rupp, and Muchiri. At the start of the final lap, Farah took the lead. For most of that lap, Tariku, Muchiri, Rupp, and Kenenisa stayed close until the final turn, when Farah pulled away to win with a 53.48-second last lap. With 60 metres left, Rupp moved to the outside and outsprinted Tariku for silver. Tariku held on for bronze, just ahead of his older brother Kenenisa.