Morocco’s Anass Essayi shatters indoor 3,000m national record held by El Guerrouj for 21 years

Moroccan runner Anass Essayi has broken Morocco’s long-standing indoor 3,000-meter record, surpassing the mark set by legendary middle-distance runner Hicham El Guerrouj 21 years ago, Moroccan Federation of Athleticism (FRMA) reported.

Competing at the Meeting de Liévin in France, part of the World Athletics Indoor Tour Silver, Essayi clocked 7:32.45 seconds, marginally beating El Guerrouj’s 7:33.73 record, which had stood since 2003.

El Guerrouj, widely regarded as one of the greatest middle-distance runners of all time, dominated the 1990s and early 2000s. He holds the world records for both the 1,500 meters and the mile-long category, and won double Olympic gold in Athens in 2004.

Essayi’s achievement marks a new milestone for Moroccan athletics, breaking a record once held by one of the sport’s all-time greats, commented barlaman today news outlet.