Emily Infeld stunned everyone, most of all herself, by taking the bronze medal in the 10,000 at the IAAF World Championships Races - Places.
There was heartbreak, however, for U.S. teammate Molly Huddle, who lost out on her first major medal after easing up in the shadow of the finish line while in third place, which allowed Infeld to sneak past in the final few meters.
The race was won by Kenya’s Vivian Cheruiyot in 31:41.31, just ahead of Ethiopia’s Gelete Burka (31:41.77). Infeld (31:43.49) and Huddle (31:43.58) were separated by .09 second. America’s third entrant, Shalane Flanagan, Races - Places.
“I had no idea I got it,” said Infeld of her near-photo finish with Huddle for the bronze medal. “I’m so, so thrilled. I saw Molly letting up. She didn’t know how close I was.
“I was trying to give it everything I had right to the line. I feel a little guilty because Molly lost out. I hate to beat her in those circumstances.”
The medal caps a breakthrough year for the 25-year-old from Ohio, who, like Flanagan, is a member of the Bowerman Track Club and coached by Jerry Schumacher.
Just six months ago, Infeld was at rock bottom, having not run a step in two months due to a stress fracture at the base of her spine. Since then she has recovered her fitness well, training alongside Flanagan on a daily basis, honing the speed that she used to such good effect on the final lap Monday.
But did she ever believe a world championship medal was possible?
“Absolutely not,” said Infeld. “My coach was telling us he really thought we could, and I wanted to put myself in it, but I didn’t know if I had this in me. I have the best teammates, I’m so grateful to them.”
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Huddle, meanwhile, was inconsolable after the race, tears filling her eyes as she tried to explain what happened.
“I blew it, pretty much,” said the 30-year-old, who trains in Providence, Rhode Island, under coach Ray Treacy. “I let up, and Emily was right there with more momentum. I thought there was no one battling me down the home stretch, but she was there the whole way, and I just wish I had that one last step.”
After a slow pace from the outset, the field passed 5K bunched together in 16:11.99. It wasn’t until the final few laps, when Huddle hit the front, that the field began to break up, eight athletes drawing clear of the rest, three of them American.
“I thought it’d be more of a two-mile or mile race,” said Huddle. “Everyone was in it.”
Huddle ratcheted up the pace over the final kilometer, and by the time she led the field into the final lap, the leading group was whittled to six.
“I was getting chills those last few laps,” said Flanagan, who won the Olympic 10,000-meter bronze medal in the same stadium seven years ago. “We had three American women fighting for medals. The coaches told us all three women can be contending. I believed them but didn’t believe as much in myself.”
With 300 meters to run, Cheruiyot and Burka shot past Huddle, who was unable to match them down the back stretch. Flanagan was also quickly gapped by the change in pace, but Infeld went with Huddle, turning into the home stretch just five meters down on her teammate.
Even with 20 meters to run, it looked like Huddle was all set for her first international medal. But she eased off as she neared the line, and threw her hands in the air in celebration. Right as she did, Infeld shot past on her inside.
“It stinks, because she’s worked so hard,” said Infeld. “I’ve worked hard too, though.”
Huddle, meanwhile, had to face the reality that she had just blown the rarest of chances. “That race was an opportunity for someone to medal who will probably not get that chance again,” she said.
“I blew it in the last steps. I don’t know when that chance will come again. The Olympics are usually really fast from the gun. I’m old, so I’m probably not going to get another one of those. It’s frustrating. This will take a lot of time to get over.”
Flanagan, meanwhile, had some consoling words for Huddle.
“She’ll have her time, sometimes it just doesn’t happen,” said the 34-year-old, who revealed she had more than a passing influence on the race for bronze.
“I’m always telling Emily to run through the line and to pace herself so she has one extra gear in the last 100, so I’m taking partial credit.
“We’ve been all about closing. I beat Emily at nationals and we’ve been working on running through the line since then. I feel like I’m living vicariously through her. We literally do everything together, and I’m taking a lot of pride in what she’s done.”
Flanagan was relatively pleased with her sixth-place finish, though she did have a hint of regret about her approach to the race.
“I didn’t quite believe in my kick as I should have,” she said. “I felt great, but I’m kicking myself for not believing in myself. That’s okay, though. Sixth is pretty good.”
As for the bronze medalist, she had tears in her eyes for a different reason than Huddle as she tried to comprehend what she’d just achieved.
“I’m just so happy,” said Infeld. “I’m so thankful to Jerry and my teammates, and Shalane. I’ve had my moments of hating the grind and hating life, and she’s helped me through all that.”
Even in such a joyful moment, Infeld couldn’t help but spare a thought for her heartbroken teammate.
“Molly is phenomenal,” said Infeld. “She’s someone I’ve looked up to for so long. I feel for her.”
Cathal Dennehy is a freelance writer based in Dublin, Ireland, who covers the sport for multiple outlets from Irish newspapers to international track websites. As an athlete, he was Irish junior cross-country champion and twice raced the European Cross Country, but since injury forced his retirement his best athletic feat has been the Irish beer mile record. He’s happiest when he’s running or writing stories about world-class athletes.
