Bernard Lagat demolishes M35 world indoor record for 3000
In 2002, Germany’s Dieter Baumann ran a 3K indoors in 7:40.68 — an M35 world record. It’s been untouchable ever since. But Bernard Lagat turned 35 in mid-December 2009. So bye-bye, Dieter. Here’s how USATF reported Bernard’s run today in Doha, Qatar: “Six years after first winning the men’s 3,000m at a World Indoor Championships, Bernard Lagat won his second world indoor 3,000m title. Sitting mid-pack through most of the race, Lagat and defending champion Tariku Bekele (ETH) surged ahead of the group with three laps to go. Just before the bell, Lagat kicked again, opening up a 10m lead and leaving Bekele in his dust to win the gold medal in 7:37.97.” Another story noted: “In the process, the 35-year-old also became the oldest man in history to win gold at a World Indoor Championships.”
Bernard is on an M35 roll this year. (Photo by Associated Press)
And just like your typical masters runner, he had family on his mind afterward, telling USATF:
My kids woke up at 7 am in the morning to watch their daddy. So I needed to show them something. I did exactly what my coach told me to do. During the last lap I felt a lot of energy from the crowd. I missed a lot since 2007 so I’m back. It felt so good for me. You’re going to see me for a long time. I can see myself running for a lot longer. I was expecting it to be faster, 28, 29 (per lap), but it was nothing like that. This is the best team I have ever been on. We’re all together, sprinters, jumpers, distance. And the organization has done a great job.
2 Responses
The man,the myth,the legend that is Bernard Lagat
He’ll need a 7:42 at age 40 to equal Komen’s open record on the age graded scoring tables, if I’m looking at these 2010 tables right.
Heck he just might, I can seeing him running at the world level for the next 5 years.
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