2008 Beijing Olympic Distance Running Results

American Shalane Flanagan won a bronze medal in the 10,000-meter final. In doing so, she set a new American record by 12 seconds (30:22.22). Tirunesh Diababa of Ethiopia won gold in the event.

At age 38, Constantina Tomescu-Dita of Romania became the oldest-ever Olympic marathon champion with her gold-medal performance on August 17.

World record holder Kenenisa Bekele of Ethiopia successfully defended his 10,000-meter gold medal on August 17.

Gulnara Galkina-Samitova, 30, of Russia, celebrated her world-record time of 8:58.81 in the 3000-meter steeplechase; this was the first time the event was included in the Olympic Games.

Kenya’s prodigy, Pamela Jelimo, took the gold in 1:54.87 in the women’s 800 meters.

Long Island native Anthony Famiglietti lead the majority of the preliminary 3000-meter steeplechase but finished third on August 15; in the final on August 18, he surged to the lead about midway but faded to finish 13th. Brimin Kiprop Kipruto of Kenya took gold.

Usain Bolt notched his second world record-setting gold medal performance in winning the 200 meters on Tuesday.

On August 19, Rashid Ramzi of Bahrain won the gold medal in the men’s 1500 meters in 3:32.94. Asbel Kipruto Kiprop of Kenya took silver in 3:33.11 and New Zealand’s Nick Willis got bronze (3:34.16).

Tirunesh Dibaba won gold in the women’s 5000-meter on Friday night in Beijing. This is her second gold in these Olympic games, giving her a sweep of the 5000- and 10000-meter races.

Despite warm, humid conditions, Sammy Wanjiru of Kenya obliterated the field and the Olympic marathon record with a swift 2:06:30 finish. This was Kenya's first gold medal in the event.

Kenenisa Bekele of Ethiopia secured gold in a breathtaking long-distance double of 5000 and 10,000 meters, a feat last achieved by Miruts Yifter at the 1980 Olympics.

Kenyan Wilfred Bungei won gold in the men's 800 meters in 1:44.65. The 2006 world indoor champion led the majority of the race.

Before these Games, no Kenyan woman had ever won an Olympic title. Nancy Lagat was the surprise victor of the women's 1500 meters. Lagat and Pamela Jelimo (800 meters) will go down in history as the first female Kenyan gold medalists.