Alistair Cragg was towed to a personal best in the 5,000-metre event at the 2006 Reebok Grand Prix held on Randall's Island in New York City on 3rd June.

Cragg, 25, ran a brilliant race. He was always within striking distance, nestled in the lead pack. Kenyan Meshack Sang was the early, albeit overly enthusiastic pacesetter covering the first lap in a blistering 57.1 seconds with Cragg crossing the 400 metres in a more sane 59.7 in fifth position. Cragg covered the next lap in 62.7 (800m = 2.02.4) as the rabbit reduced the frenetic pace. The time at the first kilometre mark for Cragg was 2.34.8 and 4.08.0 for 1,600 metres.

There was little change in the race for the next two miles with Cragg comfortably running behind his Kenyan and Ethiopian escorts. Cragg, who is coached by Mayoman John McDonnell, his mentor while at the University of Arkansas, covered the second kilometre in 2.37.1 (5.11.9) and the third kilometre in 2.38.4 hitting 3,000 metres in 7.50.1. That slight drop in pace cost Cragg the Irish 5,000m record of 13.03.93 held by Mark Carroll set in Berlin in 1998. But Cragg has never been one to worry about records saying, "I could run 12.48 or 12.58, but I would give that away for Gold in Göteborg. It's medals I want to have when I finish running."

The penultimate kilo was run in 2.42.5. After a brief respite of running a few 65-second laps, the racing began in earnest. Micah Kogo (Kenya) made the first move as they approached four kilometres with only Boaz Cheboiywo, also from Kenya unable to respond. Cragg responded and moved up to second place, although only for an instant.

With 200 metres remaining in the race, Kenyan Abraham Chebii burst to the lead. His move was so swift that no other competitor could find the gear to match him and for the first time, the race strung out to single file. Chebii's rapid turnover and flailing arms carried him to victory with a time of 13.04.56 boosted by a 54.1 last lap! The race also produced the fastest men's 5000m contest on American soil - more than a full second faster than Moroccan Said Aouita's 13.05.59 run at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.

Cragg looked strong but didn't have his trademark kick that earned him six individual NCAA titles for the Arkansas Razorbacks. Cragg commented, "I feel good after that. I was in control, which is good for the summer season. I wasn't out of breath; I just couldn't go much faster, which I can live with at this stage of the season."

Still, Cragg managed to cover his last 800 metres in an impressive 2.02.3 and the final kilometre in 2.36.2. His time of 13.08.97 earned him fifth overall and improved his personal best by 3.77 seconds which was 13.12.74 set at the Norwich Union meeting at Crystal Palace on 30th July 2004.

Next up for Cragg, is a race in his adopted home of Ireland at the Cork City Sports meeting slated for 1st July at the Mardyke. "I'd like to have a good run at home, I'm not even sure what races are on offer, but it will be a low-key race in comparison to a Golden League and it will be good to go for the first run in Ireland this season."

The rest of his season will be decided after he talks with Coach McDonnell and his handlers who look out for opportunities for both fast times and lucrative paydays. "My whole summer's just about building to Göteborg. I've got to keep things pretty simple and I really want to get gold at the Europeans. There's nothing else that comes close."

Cragg's performance in New York will certainly boost his marketability to get into high-calibre meets on the European circuit. He also mentioned that he'd like to run the Irish Championships scheduled for 22nd - 23rd July at Morton Stadium in Santry. He's not sure of the distance but wouldn't out running any of the events or perhaps racing with reigning European Junior 1,500m Gold Medallist, Colin Costello who attends his Alma Mater, Arkansas.

Other Irish competing at the Reebok Grand Prix meet were Róisín McGettigan, who finished 11th in the 1,500 metres in 4.19.57 and Marie Davenport placing 6th in 15.44.33. Both times were well off their personal bests of 4.10.34 and 15.09.07 for McGettigan and Davenport respectively. Both McGettigan (3,000m steeplechase) and Davenport (5,000m & 10,000m) have qualified for the European Championships in Göteborg in August.

Alistair Cragg's Splits:
Kilometre Splits: 2.34.8, 2.37.1, 2.38.4, 2.42.5, 2.36.2
Mile Splits: 4.09.3, 4.17.5 (8.26), 4.16.2 (12.43.0)

Thanks to the Examiner's Simon Lewis for contributing to this article.