Molly Huddle took advantage of Almaz Ayana's world-record pace to run an American record of 30:13.17 in the 10,000m at the Olympics. Huddle finished sixth in the 10,000m on Friday morning in Rio de Janeiro.



Ayana won gold in a world record of 29:17, while Huddle displayed peak fitness in the fastest championship performance of her career.

Huddle broke the previous American record of 30:22.22 set by Shalane Flanagan at the 2008 Olympics, which was good for bronze.

So proud of our American women in the 10k!! Esp @BowermanTC squad @emily_infeld @bcsaina on new PBs!!And of course @MollyHuddle on new AR

— Shalane Flanagan (@ShalaneFlanagan) August 12, 2016

Unlike the 2015 World Championships, the women's 10,000m final was dictated by a fast pace from the gun, and Huddle bravely rode the momentum.

Alice Aprot Nawowuna of Kenya established an early lead by taking the field out in 3:01 for 1000m and 5:55 for 2000m. By the 5,000-meter mark, the competition for a medal was down to a select group of women which included 2015 5K world champion Ayana and defending Olympic champion Tirunesh Dibaba. Amazingly, Nawowuna took the group through 5,000m in 14:46 for a glimpse at world-record potential.

Huddle followed in 14:55—just a few seconds slower than her American record of 14:42. Despite falling off the lead pack's blistering pace, Huddle maintained her composure through the remainder of the grueling race.

Ayana went on to shatter the previous world record of 29:31 set by Wang Junxia of China in 1993. The Ethiopian's championship performance beat silver medalist Vivian Cheruiyot and bronze medalist Tirunesh Dibaba by 15 seconds.

Cheruiyot, Dibaba, and fourth-place finisher Nawowuna's performances now stand at No. 3, No. 4 and No. 5 on the world all-time list.

Huddle closed for sixth overall—the best Olympic finish of her career so far.

Huge congrats to @MollyHuddle on a new AR 30:13 for the 10,000m. You continue to raise the bar here in the US. We are very proud! #Rio2016

— Kara Goucher (@karagoucher) August 12, 2016

What @MollyHuddle just did will be completely lost to a casual Olympic viewer. But every US track fan sits in awe!

— Kyle Merber (@TheRealMerb) August 12, 2016

Congrats to @MollyHuddle for the AR! 30:13 going out in 14:55. Yikes, thats impressive.

— Daniel Huling (@DanielHuling) August 12, 2016

Congratulations @MollyHuddle on your new AR!!!! Wow!!! Stud!!

— emma coburn (@emmajcoburn) August 12, 2016

Since when would @MollyHuddle run of 30:13 be out of medal contention? #never

— Stephanie Bruce (@Steph_Rothstein) August 12, 2016

Molly Molly Molly! New American 10km record!! Yeah @MollyHuddle @saucony @SauconyRacing!! #mollystrong

— Ben True (@bentrue) August 12, 2016

Congratulations on your American Record & gutsy race, @MollyHuddle! Thanks for raising the bar and inspiring us all! #Rio2016

— gabriele grunewald (@gg_runs) August 12, 2016