At Oslo, Bernard Lagat smashes American open record for 5000
Bernard Lagat is becoming our Geb. Tonight at the IAAF Diamond League meet in Oslo, the M35 superstar claimed the U.S. national record for 5000 meters by clocking 12:54.12. That beats the listed American open record of 12:56.27 by Dathan Ritzenhein in 2009 and the M35 world record of 13:07.40 by Dieter Baumann. The listed M35 American record is 13:26.03 by Steve Plasencia in 1993. See results here. USATF’s press release is here. If Bernard’s mark doesn’t become the WMA world record soon, WMA might as well close up shop and slink away in shame.
Here's how Bernard's mark appears on the official Oslo website.
6 Responses
Ken, I doubt that Bernard’s outdoor mark will be accepted as a world M35 record. After all, the new world indoor marks were posted by WMA either May 31 or June 1, 2010 (this past Monday or Tuesday), and Bernard’s indoor 3000 mark (set at the 2010 worlds in March) was NOT included (he didn’t make the cut). Don’t see why there would be a difference for this outdoor mark at 5000 meters.
I DON’T GET IT!!!!
I think it is interesting to see a 35 year old running these times. It shows that if he runs through age 40 competitively (I doubt it) he is capable of 3:37 1500 though a 13:05 5000, I would guess.
Any news on the Russian? Is he going after a sub 4 mile any time soon?
Nope, Matt. No news on Vyacheslav Shabunin since indoor season. I’ll keep my eyes peeled.
Has anyone thought to ask Bernard if he wants to be considered a masters athlete, record or no? I know a couple Elite athletes that compete in various sports on a world class level that don’t think of themselves as age groupers let alone a masters athlete. If you called one in particular a masters athlete she’d punch you square in the mouth. Maybe when Bernard starts competing in Masters category and not open, WMA might take the record more seriously. Just my 2 cents.
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