Lagat breaks US record at Boston Indoor Games

Bernard Lagat knocked almost seven seconds off the previous American record by winning the men's 5,000 metres race at the Boston Indoor Games on Saturday. Lagat finished in a time of 13 minutes, 11.50 seconds and held off a challenge from Ethiopia's Dejen Gebremeskel, who clocked 13:11.78.

Former record holder Galen Rupp was fourth in 13:14.21 but still bettered his old record of 13:18.12.

Ethiopians finished first and second in the women's 3,000-metre race, with world junior champ Kalkidan Gezahegn finishing in 8:45.19. Genzebe Dibaba was second while American Shannon Rowbury placed third. Dibaba's older sister, two-time Olympic gold medalist Tirunesh Dibaba, easily won the 5,000 metres in 14:44.53.

BOSTON, Sunday, AFP