Fast Time for Bobby Curtis at Rieti 3000?

Bobby Curtis will run his fourth 3000 meter race of the European season on Sunday on the fast track at Rieti. So far this season at that distance, Curtis has run 8:09.64 off an injury in Cork, Ireland (July 17), 7:54.25 PR in Dublin (July 25), and 7:57.48 at the Joensuu meet in Finland (August 18). It was on this track at Rieti on September 1, 1996 that Daniel Komen set the world record of 7:20.67, and the track has produced lots of quality times over the years. Listed below are the Rieti 3000 meter winners' times since 2001, as well as the top 20 times ever run over 3000 meters at this meet. Given the recent history of the race at this meeting, Sunday's race looks to provide an opportunity for Curtis to latch on and be towed to his best time of the summer. Curtis carries a lifetime 3000 meter PR of 7:54.25 (2012) outdoors and 7:50.17 (2008) indoors.

Previous Rieti Meeting winners             
2011 Bernard LAGAT            USA   7:32.13
2010 Tariku BEKELE            ETH   7:28.70
2009 Joseph Kitur KIPLIMO     KEN   7:31.20
2008 Edwin Cheruiyot SOI      KEN   7:31.83
2007 Thomas Pkemei LONGOSIWA  KEN   7:32.79
2006 Isaac Kiprono SONGOK     KEN   7:28.72
2005 Sileshi SIHINE           ETH   7:29.92
2004 Augustine Kiprono CHOGE  KEN   7:36.82
2003 Paul Kipsiele KOECH      KEN   7:38.48
2002 Patrick Mutuku IVUTI     KEN   7:38.69
2001 Mark Kipkinyor BETT      KEN   7:36.66

All-Time Top 20 in Rieti                              
7:20.67   Daniel KOMEN (KEN)                01.09.1996
7:28.70   Tariku BEKELE (ETH)               29.08.2010
7:28.72   Isaac Kiprono SONGOK (KEN)        27.08.2006
7:29.00   Bernard LAGAT (USA)               29.08.2010
7:29.11   Tariku BEKELE (ETH)               27.08.2006
7:29.36   Noureddine MORCELI (ALG)          05.09.1995
7:29.75   Edwin Cheruiyot SOI (KEN)         29.08.2010
7:29.92   Sileshi SIHINE (ETH)              28.08.2005
7:31.20   Joseph Kitur KIPLIMO (KEN)        06.09.2009
7:31.33   Boniface Kiprotich SONGOK (KEN)   27.08.2006
7:31.41   Sammy Alex MUTAHI (KEN)           06.09.2009
7:31.48   Edwin Cheruiyot SOI (KEN)         06.09.2009
7:31.81   Abraham Cherkos FELEKE (ETH)      06.09.2009
7:31.83   Edwin Cheruiyot SOI (KEN)         07.09.2008
7:32.13   Bernard LAGAT (USA)               10.09.2011
7:32.25   Silas KIPRUTO (KEN)               06.09.2009
7:32.38   Vincent Kiprop CHEPKOK (KEN)      10.09.2011
7:32.57   Isaac Kiprono SONGOK (KEN)        06.09.2009
7:32.71   Thomas Pkemei LONGOSIWA (KEN)     10.09.2011
7:32.72   John KIPKOECH (KEN)               29.08.2010