Mark was lucky enough to be sitting near the finish line as Shalane Flanagan made history.  Here's what he saw....

The day started off with the sun (yes the sun!), blue skys, cool temperatures and doom for the American 10k team. Cool temperature brings a hot pace and no American is close to the world record or the 30 min barrier.  Even though the good weather is a good thing it usually means the Americans drop off after the pace starts to roll, anywhere between 3 and 5k.  But this is not your usual US distance team and last year Kara proved that the Africans were beatable, when she won the bronze at the world champs. Despite a strong team things did not look promising with the early news that Shalane Flanagan, the US Olympic trials champ, had food poisioning and may not run........

As they introduced the 10k field, Shalane Flanagan was on the starting line but how long could she last, just 4 days from food poisioning? There are no Michael Jordan fever moments in track. When you're sick you're not expected to have the perfect race or set a PR. The gun went off and the pace was hot, really hot! It was faster than Shalane has ever gone out. At 3k the field was still packed, same at 5. With about 3k left the pace got faster with leaders running 71s. 8+ Africans and then back to Shalane, but the whole time her form stayed perfect while seeming relaxed. 2k out the lead pack widdled down to 5 and then Shalane 20 meters back. 6 laps to go you started to believe that Shalane had a chance with the quicker pace spreading out the lead pack to 2 and a 2 person chase pack. In the mean time Shalane is working her way up. 1k to get there with one spot up for grabs, the medal was within her reach.  Shalane was focused.  With 2 laps left she dropped the hammer, flew into third place and never looked back.  With this move Shalane Flanagan proved that we Americans can run with the best in the world on the track.

Picture, Victah Sailer/Photorun.net

It was a great day for US distance running and with 8 days left in Beijing, lets hope for more. 

To see more of Shalane Visit her Olympic Bio page,  
http://www.flotrack.org/videos/coverage/athlete/234035/83-shalane-flanagan