Posted: September 7, 2007

Athletics (RRW): Despite Unprecedented World Double, Some Unfinished Business For Lagat

From David Monti © 2007 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved RaceResultsWeekly.com By Bob Ramsak ZURICH – Bernard Lagat readily admits that the physical and psychological efforts of his five race visit to Osaka, and an unprecedented 1500/5000m double, have taken their toll. That doesn’t mean though, that the 32-year-old still doesn’t have a few goals remaining for this season. “I’ve achieved so much in those nine days,” Lagat said of his historical double victory at the World Championships, one which ended a 99-year American gold medal drought in the middle distances. “In nine days running those five events took a lot out of me. I just wanted to conserve my energy for a few more races.” Most immediately on his calendar is the 3000 tonight at Zurich’s Weltklasse, where he’ll compete for the ninth consecutive year. Although his race, like all other middle and long distance events, won’t be paced, Lagat doesn’t think that precludes fast performances. “I’m really willing to run fast,” he said. “I really respect the Weltklasse. I’ve run here non-stop since 1999. And I feel like a have a duty here, and really want to make the 3000 meters here the most exciting race to watch.” Lagat said a time in the 7:30 range would be “fantastic” in Zurich, but doesn’t plan to control the race from the outset. “After 800 I will see,” he said. If the initial two laps are relatively slow, Lagat said he’s confident enough to take command. After all, he said, “After 800 it’s only a little more than two kilometers. I can do that.” “I’m going to treat this seriously because it could end up going fast, it could end up going slow because no one will take it,” he continued. “Or someone might say, ‘You know what, I need to run good, I need to run against Lagat and win against Lagat.’ I really want to run fast here.” Lagat said he welcomes a race sans pacemakers, but also insists that such races have their place. “I would appreciate sometimes also having pacemakers. For us to run a very good time, to run 3:30, you cannot do that without pacemakers. It’s important also because national records are set that way, world records are set that way.” He plans to end his season with a 1500 at the Golden League capper at Berlin’s ISTAF on Sept. 16. That race will presumably be paced. If I get under 3:30 in Berlin, then that’s the end of my season,” he said. “I’ll be happy to end my season that way.”ew York City Marathon is the largest marathon in the world; last year's race had a record 37,866 finishers. Subscribe to the Runner's Web Weekly Digest