She finished in 9 minutes 10.50 seconds, easily beating the previous world standard of 9:23.38 set by Regina Jacobs in 2002. Although that mark was considered "soft" because the event is rarely contested, Meseret's 3,000-meter split was just six seconds off the meet record she set three years ago at that distance.

"I didn't think I'd break the record by so much," said Meseret. "I could have run faster. I'm always trying to run my very best.

"If it means a world record, that's it."

Meseret, the 2007 IAAF female World Athlete of the Year, looked surprisingly at ease in the race. Then again, she has plenty of experience setting records. Last year, the 24-year-old Defar set five world records, including the 5,000 meters, 3,000 indoors, 5 kilometer on the roads, and 2-mile outdoors (twice). She started 2008 the same way she finished 2007 - undefeated on the track.

With the Beijing Olympics in August, Meseret hopes to add to her medal collection, which includes the 2004 Olympic gold medal in the 5,000 meters.

she was cheered by a large, vocal contingent of fans with ties to her home country.

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