Ghana’s Lydia Mato has set a new national record in the 3000m after running an astonishing 9:31.97 to win the 2015 Nebraska Invitational on Saturday.
Her new mark bested the 9:46.8 national record set by Gifty Abankwa in 1992 as well as beating her own previous mark of 9:53.76 which she ran at the Jacobs Norman OK on 18th April.
She served notice of her intent early this season when completing an unprecedented 4 four gold medals, wining the 5000m, 3000m, one mile, 1000m, and coming 2nd in the 800m, at the NJCAA Region 6 (Regional) Championships in February.
This was after she had chalked success at the US Cross Country Championship late last year, becoming the first Ghanaian ever to win a US Cross County Championship at any level in US school system.
With the benefit of hindsight, perhaps she was definitely bound to go after the national records in the middle and long distance events after winning all those laurels at the Cross Country and JUCO. One has the feeling there is more to come from the Barton Country ‘phenomenon.’
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Source: Ghana Athletics Association