Photo above: On the world stage. Alan Webb, who lives and trains in northern Virginia, made it to the final round of the 1500m heats this summer. He finished second in his semi-final (3:36.07) heat behind Rashid Ramzi of Bahrain.

Top photo: She is the best. Carolina Kluft of Sweden, the defending World Champion in the Women's Heptathlon and Olympic gold medalist, ran a personal best in the final event (2:08.89 for 800m) and secured another World title.

Second photo: A new star rises. Rashid Ramzi of Bahrain achieved an incredible double with this win in the 800m (1:44.24) on the final day of competition. He also claimed the 1500m prize four days earlier.

Third photo: Again, a world record (5.01 meters) in the pole vault. From IAAF: She is always smiling on the runway, always appreciating the support of the crowd and always delivering. A year ago at the Olympic Games, she broke the World record by clearing 4.91m. Isinbayeva thanked all those around her. There is nothing flashy about her. She still drives a Skoda car and has been living with her parents in Volgograd. "I was very concerned about the weather this morning. But I am a positive and a smiling person and I'm sure it helps me a lot."

Veterans Show the Value of Discipline
Top photo: This time she showed her full strength. Paula Radcliffe of Great Britain enjoyed her first gold medal in international track competition with a 2:20:57 marathon finish; silver medalist Catherine Ndereba (2:22:01) shared the joy of a top notch run.

Second photo: His aim is true. Bryan Clay tossed the javelin far beyond the other decathletes' marks and transformed an Olympic silver into a World Championship gold medal with 8732 points.

The King of the Track Roars
Top photo: A young and bold beauty. Tirunesh Dibaba (right) of Ethiopia became the first women to excel in both the 5000m and 10,000m IAAF World Championship races. Here she calmly led the way in the 5000m with her countrywomen and won with a time of 14:38.59. One week earlier, her winning time for 10,000m was 30:24.02.

Second photo: A driving force for Team USA. Justin Gatlin flew through 100m in 9.88, a season best, for gold. Four days later, he also powered to the front of the 200m race and won in 20.04.

Suprising New Faces
Top photo: Brian Sell's ninth place finish with a time of 2:13:27 in the Men's Marathon, the fastest ever by an American at a World Outdoor Championship, is the highest individual placing since 1995 when Steve Plasencia finished tenth in 2:16:56.(USATF) Sell has competed twice in the International Half Marathon Championships.

Second photo: Lauryn Williams anchored Team USA to gold in the 4x100m relay (41.78). Five days earlier, she surprised with her 100m gold medal performance (10.93).

Peaking at the Right Time
Top photo: He's back. After a tragedy in his personal life, Kenenisa Bekele ran with the Ethiopian charge in the front. Bekele won the 10,000m track race in 27:08.33.

Second photo: The top American finisher in the 2005 Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile, Turena Johnson-Lane ran a personal best of 2:34:43 and placed 26th (first American) in the Women's Marathon.

See the Running Network Coverage of the 2005 IAAF World Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Helsinki, Finland held August 6-14.