Athletics: Smith vows to do better after 'disappointing' eighth

Kimberley Smith recorded 31m 21.42s, nearly a minute outside her personal best. Photo / Richard Robinson

New Zealand runner Kimberley Smith finished a disappointing eighth in the 10,000m at the World Athletic Championships in Berlin, one place better than her ninth in the 10,000m at the Beijing Olympic Games.

"I'm pretty disappointed, that was a pretty average race all round," said Smith. "It was a tough race. I didn't feel great at all, so that's fine, I'll take it.

"It's just a race and hopefully I'll come back and do better the next time," she added.

"I think I was ready for a faster race, rather than the changing of the pace which is not really suited to me, I don't think. But I think I suit a faster pace from the start. You've just got to race with what you've got."

The 27-year-old recorded 31m 21.42s, nearly a minute outside her personal best and 30s behind the winner, Linet Chepkwemoi Masai, 19, of Kenya.

Smith moved up from 13th after the first lap to settle into third place by lap 12, behind Mariya Konovalova of Russia and Yurika Nakamura of Japan.

The Africans, who had remained in the middle of the field, made a move on lap 18 and split the race apart.

"I was waiting for it from 5km on, I was waiting and didn't know who or what would pick it up," said Smith.

With a lap to go any of five runners could have taken the title.

Meseret Defar of Ethiopia looked to have it with 80 metres remaining from teammate Meselech Melkamu, but Masai came with a withering sprint over the final 50 metres which carried her to victory in 30m 51.24s. In a blanket finish Melkamu held on for second from Wude Ayalew of Ethiopia, Grace Momanyi of Kenya with Defar starting to climb stairs near the finish fading to fifth.

Now Smith will return home to her base in the United States and decide what races to do. One of these will be the London marathon in April.