17-year-old Kejelcha Stuns In Tactical 5K

The big names in the men’s 5,000m were Galen Rupp, Bernard Lagat, and Kenyan Edwin Soi, but none of those men would end up winning, as 17-year-old Ethiopian Yomif Kejelcha used a powerful last 200 meters to separate himself from the experienced trio. Kejelcha would take the victory in 13:10.54, nearly a 15-second PB. The Ethiopian has experience running well at Hayward Field, having won the 2014 World junior title in the 5,000m last July.

17-year-old Yomif Kejelcha closed hard to beat Edwin Soi and Galen Rupp in the 5,000m

World junior titles are one thing, but to take down a field with the three names above shows that this youngster is ready for the big stage. Kejelcha ran the final 800 meters in 1:54. 

 

Galen Rupp charged to the front at the bell, but was no match to the closing speed of the Ethiopian teenager. As Kejelcha glided away to victory, Soi would just pass Rupp for 2nd in the final meters. The Kenyan finished in 13:11.97, with the crowd favorite Rupp settling for 3rd in 13:12.36. 

 

Tonight was Rupp’s 2015 outdoor opener, and his first race since January. He’s not in the shape that he was a year ago when he set the American record (26:44) in the Pre Classic 10K, but that will come as the season progresses. The top end speed wasn’t there tonight, but there should be no cause for concern in the NOP camp. 

Rupp was pleased that the race was tactical because it gave him a chance to work on his closing speed. 

"I was really happy that it ended up being tactical, I know my strength is great now, so it's good practice for the big meets coming up which are probably going to be tactical too," he said.
 

40-year-old Bernard Lagat smashed another Master’s World record on Friday night with his 13:14.97 4th place finish. The previous record of 13:43.15 held by Mohammed Ezzher since 2000 had no chance of surviving the night, as Lagat continues to mystify at an age when most distance runners have long since faded into retirement. 

Lagat was particulary motivated to run well this year at Prefontaine because of how poorly he raced in Eugene a year ago. 

"My first race was 13:31, and it was right here, and I was disappointed and I didn't want to repeat that here at Prefontaine Classic. This is a special place for me and I was embarrassed, I was telling everyone 'sorry' because I ran bad," Lagat said afterwards, referring to the 2014 Pre Classic 5,000m which he finished 14th in 13:31.23.

He was much happier with tonight's race. "13:14. That's not too bad," he said. 



Bowerman TC teammates Ryan Hill and Mo Ahmed each grabbed the IAAF standard (13:23) on Friday, with Hill running 13:15.92 for 6th and Ahmed 11th in 13:20.67.