Flanagan Returns, Lagat Repeats as USA 5000m Champions By Charlie Mahler, Running USA wire

INDIANAPOLIS - (June 22, 2007) - In their own different ways, Olympians Shalane Flanagan and Bernard Lagat showed why they are the best 5000 meter runners in the United States on Friday night at the AT&T USA Outdoor Track Championships.

Flanagan, 25, the American record holder in the event, took the lead after the first kilometer of women's 5000, clipped off 70-second quarters to put distance on the field, and drove home to a comfortable win in 14:51.75.

Lagat, in contrast, waited until the final homestretch to overtake Matt Tegenkamp in repeating the first victory of last year's 5000 / 1500 title double in 13:30.73.

Flanagan's race plan was as much an opportunity to prepare for the World Championships in Osaka as it was an attempt to qualify for the meet.

"I feel like this is a great practice for what I plan to do in Osaka to make that final," said Flanagan, the 2005 U.S. 5000m champion. "I tried to be patient, and I was for a little bit, but I wanted to just see what I could do by myself out there. It will take a really strong last K, I think. I wasn't as strong as I wanted to be today. I hope to just establish myself as an aggressive American runner."

Also earning tickets to Japan were Team Running USA's Jen Rhines in 15:08.53 and Wake Forest grad and Rhodes Scholar Michelle Sikes at 15:09.28.

Lagat's flash of brilliance in the homestretch had something to do with the 1500 meter prelim he'd run only two hours earlier. The Kenyan-born U.S. record holder at 1500 meters didn't attempt to cover the gap Tegenkamp built with a 2:39 fourth kilometer and seemed content to run for an Osaka berth.

Until the last lap, that is.

"I knew the race would develop toward the end and I was confident in the last 400," recounted the two-time Olympic medalist for Kenya who popped a 56.2 final lap. "He almost got away from me, because there was a gap that developed."

Tegenkamp, himself, knew that his lead didn't guarantee a win.

"I knew it wasn't secure," said the Wisconsin grad. "I have been running awesome lately and I have a lot of confidence. My main goal is to get into the finals and mix it up with the Kenyans."

Tegenkamp finished a Worlds qualifying second in 13:31.31, while 2000 Olympian Adam Goucher, who also closed well, was third in 13:31.50. Goucher joins his wife Kara, a qualifier in the 10,000 last night, on the Osaka team.

USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships
World Championships and Pan Am Games qualifier
Indianapolis, IN, Friday, June 22, 2007

Men's 5000m
1) Bernard Lagat (AZ), 13:30.73, $4000
2) Matt Tegenkamp (WI), 13:31.31, $3000
3) Adam Goucher (OR), 13:31.50, $2000
4) Jonathon Riley (WI), 13:33.56, $1000
5) Ed Moran (VA), 13:36.50, $500
6) Bolota Asmerom (CA), 13:38.26
7) Chris Solinsky (WI), 13:39.83
8) Sean Graham (OR), 13:44.06
9) Ian Dobson (CA), 13:45.36
10) Seth Summerside (AR), 13:48.84

Women's 5000m
1) Shalane Flanagan (NC), 14:51.75, $4000
2) Jen Rhines (CA), 15:08.53, $3000
3) Michelle Sikes (NC), 15:09.28, $2000
4) Lauren Fleshman (OR), 15:24.60, $1000
5) Arianna Lambie (CA), 15:38.83
6) Cack Ferrell (OR), 15:43.69, $500
7) Julia Lucas (NC), 15:55.36
8) Mandi Zemba (MI), 16:06.02
9) Amy Hastings (AZ), 16:08.71
10) Whitney McDonald (UT), 16:12.19