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Murray and Blummenfelt rip through sub-14 minute 5 km runs

Olympic favourites hone their run skills during the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic.

Over the last week Richard Murray and Kristian Blummenfelt have posted some impressive 5 km times.

Kristian Blummenfelt on his way to the win at the ITU World Triathlon Grand Final in Lausanne in 2019. Photo: Kevin Mackinnon

If the Olympic triathlon in Tokyo next year comes down to the run, anyone in the hunt for the gold better be prepared for some pain – and the ability to run really fast. It seems as though some of the world’s top short-course triathletes are using their time during the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic to hone their running skills.

Last week Richard Murray followed his Marcel Klamer (his girlfriend Rachel Klamer’s father) on some quiet roads in the Netherlands, running an impressive 13:37 5 km personal best.

 

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I needed to prove it to myself … Sub14 ?

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Not to be outdone, last year’s Grand Final champ, Kristian Blummenfelt, took part in an “unnofficial” road race in Norway, where he ran 13:51. (He even rode his bike to the event.)

In case you’re wondering just how quick these times are, remember that a 14-minute 5 km requires an average of 2:48/ km (or 4:30/ mile, for those who still think that way).