Webb grows in stature

With the strongest field of the season assembled, a world leading time was expected in the men's 1500, but the winner, American Alan Webb, provided one of the biggest surprises of the evening.

Running just a few steps behind pacesetter Roman Oravec from the gun, the 21-year-old moved to the front for good when Oravec completed his chore to reach the line in 3:32.73, the fourth personal best for Webb this season in as many races.

"I felt really good," said the jubilant Webb, whose breakthrough season is finally fulfilling the promise he showed when he broke the U.S. high school mile record three years ago. "I just raced away.  I figured, I'll either die and run fast, or I'll win and run fast.  Right now, I just can't seem to not take time off.  When the rabbit dropped off, I just hammered it. I was waiting for someone to come, and no one did, so with 150 to go, I gave it everything I had and I held on."

With his typical late race surge, Ivan Hesko finished second in 3:32.88, ahead of Timothy Kiptanui (PB 3:33.34), Bernard Lagat (3:33.61) and Ali Saidi-Sief (3:33.89).