Budd Records an Indoor Best of 8:39.79 in the 3,000 Meters

With no one to push her and finding it hard to concentrate in a noisy arena, South African-born Zola Budd set a world indoor best of 8 minutes 39.79 seconds in the women’s 3,000 meters Saturday.

Running for Britain in a meet against Hungary, the barefoot 19-year-old knocked more than 2 1/2 seconds off the previous mark of 8:42.3, set by Olga Bondarenko of the Soviet Union last month in her homeland.

Budd, who holds the outdoor 5,000-meters record, managed to quicken the pace in the last third of the race, despite having left the three other runners far behind at the halfway stage.

On the last lap, Budd almost lapped countrywoman Susan Tooby. Realizing she was close to a record, Budd made a sprint to the finish line. When she reached the tape, she was less than a meter behind her race partner.

At first, Budd’s time was given as 8:39.66.

Budd, who became a British citizen two years ago because South Africa is barred from international sport over its policy of apartheid, said: “I did think about the record beforehand, but found it difficult to concentrate.

“Last year (when she ran indoors for the first time) I didn’t like running at Cosford, because I was unaccustomed to the place and couldn’t prepare mentally,” Budd said.

“But I’m very pleased with my performance. I have done more speedwork this year, and it has helped me become sharper indoors.

In second place, nearly 23 seconds behind Budd, was Hungary’s Zita Agoston, who clocked 9:02.64.

Britain won both the men’s and women’s matches. The British men won, 83-54, while the women won, 69-34.

In a men’s race, Sebastian Coe cruised to a slow but easy victory in the 1,500 meters. He is the Olympic champion outdoors in this event.

Coe’s time of 3:45.65 was 10 seconds off the world best set by Ireland’s Eamonn Coghlan.