Bernard Lagat’s unbelievable last lap sends him to Rio in 5000
At 2015 Jacksonville nationals, Andre Millar took silver in the M40 400 in 52.92. He wouldn’t have made the final at Lyon worlds, but still not bad. How do we break it to him that a 41-year-old runner ran a faster last lap in a 5,000-meter race Saturday? Such was the amazing kick of Bernard “Kip” Lagat, who won the Olympic Trials 5K Saturday with a final 400 of 52.82. Breathtaking. His 13:35.50 was not elite speedy. (His M40 WR, set at Eugene, is 13:14.97.) But wow! He made his fifth Olympic team. So now we have Kip joining M40 Kim Collins (9.93 WR in 100) as geezers with potential to make Rio finals. USATF noted: “Lagat (41) will be the oldest running event Olympian in American history when he toes the line in Rio. The oldest track & field Olympian is John Deni, who was 49 years, 75 days when he competed in the 50km race walk in 1952.”
Bernard shocked the Oregon crowd and probably himself with mad-sprint kick.
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Great shots by Dave Albo:
http://www.lane1photos.com/Portfolio/Event/Olympic-Trials/5k/i-4jJv9MK
Bernard (Kip) Lagat has always been a class act to us masters athletes. He went out of his way in the cold wind & rain to snap a group photo with Masters Milers at Drake Relays years ago. Kip is gracious to any person, any athlete, any ability, for as long as I’ve known him. And now he’s given me an inspiring quote for masters running and racing that will last forever.
“If you believe you’re an old man, you’ll run like an old man”
_Kip Lagat 5x Olympian, 2016 National 5000m Champ, age 41
Kim Collins is injured and unfortunately will not compete in Rio. Knowing him, he’ll be back.
https://www.winnfm.com/news/local/17372-collins-bows-out-of-olympic-trials
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