We’ve reached the end of the Diamond League season, and the first of two finals is Thursday in Zurich. Points in the Diamond Race are doubled from here on out, which means athletes that are behind in the standings can ascend to the top with eight points going to event winners.

While the athletes are focused on the title (and money), we’re more interested in the races themselves. Zurich will feature another stacked men’s 5K, which should be another crack at the world lead. All the major players are back from last week, and Galen Rupp will again be attacking the American record. 

A number of other events will have our attention, including another loaded women’s 1500m and the rematch of David Rudisha and Nigel Amos in the men’s 800m. Check out the action we’re excited about this Thursday in Switzerland. 

Men’s 5K
We finally got what we wanted in Stockholm. Galen Rupp went for the American record last Thursday, and was leading through 4000 meters until he started fading hard the last lap and a half. Even though he only managed a 13:05, Rupp put himself in contention for the win, and showed an aggressive approach that we haven’t seen from him in the 5K.

The same crew that Rupp battled in Stockholm will be back after him in Zurich. Newly-minted world leader Muktar Edris enters after surprising in Stockholm, and will go up against a who’s who of East African talent. Isiah Koech,Yenew Alamirew, Hagos Gebrhiwet, and Thomas Longosiwa all have sub-12:50 PBs, but have yet to come close to those marks in a season where fast 5K’s have been hard to come by.

We’d love to pick an American, but they just don’t win Diamond League 5Ks. Instead look to the Top 3 in the Diamond Race to pluck a winner. Alamirew, Caleb Ndiku and Edwin Soi have all picked up Diamond League wins this season with Alamirew holding a seven-point lead in the standings. With that substantial of a lead and his eyes likely on the $40,000 Diamond Race purse, a victory by Alamirew is unlikely. Caleb Ndiku is the safer pick, in around 12:58.  

Women’s 1500
Jenny Simpson’s come from behind win in Stockholm has made this final all the more intriguing. Simpson was virtually out of it with 300m to go, but she came out of nowhere to kick down Genzebe Dibaba and Sifan Hassan to win in 4:00. Now that we know she can win a Diamond League race, let’s focus on what’s at stake in Zurich. 

Simpson currently sits in third in the Diamond Race standings, behind Hassan and Abeba Aregawi. Since points are doubled in the finals, Simpson could take home the title with a victory on Thursday. She controls her own destiny. 

In her way of course will be the two aforementioned ladies. Aregawi is the Diamond Race leader, but she looked dreadful in Stockholm, running 4:07.75 to place 10th. This poor performance, as well as her loss at Euros has shaken her confidence. She won’t be a factor. 

That leaves Hassan, who was solid but not spectacular in Stockholm. She can also take the Diamond League title with a victory, and currently owns the fastest time in the world this season with her 3:57.00 from Paris. If Hassan can remain patient, and not go too soon like she did in Stockholm, she has a much better chance of surviving Jenny’s kick. 

No matter, Simpson is very fit right now. Hassan and Aregawi were too good for her in May and June, but they had to fight through the rounds at Euros and are most likely fried by now. Simpson should win in 4:02, and take the Diamond title back home to Colorado. 

Men’s 800m
Even in somewhat of an off year – where he hasn’t run 1:40-flat or beat opponents into the ground – David Rudisha has still managed to find himself atop the Diamond League standings. Coming off an injury-filled 2013, Rudisha has appeared mortal in comparison to 2012, and was even nicknamed “Mr. Silver” by his coach, Brother Colm O’Connell, after placing second at the Commonwealth Games. Geez, tough crowd. 

The man who beat Rudisha at Commonwealths was Nijel Amos, the current world leader at 1:42.45. The 20-year old from Botswana has been arguably the best in the world all season, but had a bad outing in Stockholm, where he managed just a 1:46.04 for fifth. It’s doubtful he rebounds quickly enough to take down this field. 

Some of the other studs in the field include Pierre-Ambroise Bosse, Mo Aman, and Asbel Kiprop. Bosse famously ran 1:42 in Monaco while wearing a Polo, while Kiprop most recently dazzled in the 1500m in Birmingham. Even with his impressive SB, Bosse blew up in the Euro final and finished last in 1:46.55. While Kiprop did his thing in Birmingham, the fast early pace here will likely leave him too far off the back to do any damage over the last 200m. Those two are out.

That leaves Rudisha, who most recently took a shot at the 600m world record, coming up just short in 1:13. That performance was still very impressive, and his skipping last week’s Stockholm 800m indicates he is putting all his eggs in the Zurich basket. King Rudisha in 1:43.5.