SEASON OPENER HAS LAGAT RIGHT ON TRACK

By Chris Lotsbom, @ChrisLotsbom

(c) 2015 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved - Used with permission.

EUGENE, Ore. (31-May) -- The 41st Prefontaine Classic surely did not disappoint, with plenty of world leading marks, personal bests, and memorable performances. Yet lost in the shuffle was a very strong track season opener for two-time Olympic medalist Bernard Lagat, the now 40-year-old who has long been one of the faces of American distance running.

In the 5000m on Friday evening, Lagat used his experience and a bit of added motivation to push himself into the mix, winding up fourth in 13:14.97. Though he was four seconds adrift of winner Yomif Kejelcha --a runner less than half his age-- Lagat's time smashed the master's (40+) world record of 13:43.15, formerly held by France's Mohamed Ezzher.

While most fans and media members had their eyes focused on compatriot Galen Rupp who challenged for the win and wound up third in 13:12.36, Lagat ran tough in the final kilometer. He'd finish ahead of accomplished athletes like Ryan Hill, Lawi Lalang, Collis Birmingham, and Ibrahim Jeilan, sprinting around the Bowerman Curve and down the homestretch like the wily veteran has done so many times before.

It was a performance here last year that was on replay in Lagat's mind heading into this race, serving as motivation to start the season on the right foot. In 2014, Lagat finished 14th of 17 competitors in the Prefontaine Classic 5000m, timing a sub-par 13:31.23. Finishing just shy of 30 seconds behind winner Caleb Ndiku (13:01.71), the race left a mark on Lagat.

"My first race [last year] was 13:31 I think and it was right here and I was disappointed. I didn't want to repeat that here at the Prefontaine Classic. This is a special place for me, and I was embarrassed. I was telling everybody 'sorry' because I ran bad, but then I vowed not to do the same thing," Lagat told Race Results Weekly.

Determined not to make the same mistakes twice, Lagat spent time at altitude in Arizona, building endurance for his long outdoor season. "I went training in Flagstaff, had really good training, came down here and I was like 'I'm going to give all I can.' That's all I could afford today, 13:14. That's not too bad."

Entering the race, Lagat had anticipated the leaders would try and go out at 12:50-pace. Midway through, however, the tempo lagged slightly, and it never quite got going again. Hopes of a meet record or sub-13 clocking went out the window.

"I think they were going to go 62 and I thought to myself I am going to judge it and see if I can hang with that kind of pace. It ended up not being too, too fast and suited me, because being my first race I didn't know how it was going to feel," Lagat said.

Right now, Lagat knows what he has to do: sharpen up. Having won seven national titles outdoors at 5000m, he's got the process down pat. His main goal between now and the U.S. Outdoor Champions here at Hayward Field will be to tinker with his speed training. The base is there, but the wheels need a bit more work. He has until June 28 --the day of the 5000m final-- his first of two fitness peaks for the summer (his other would come at the IAAF World Championships).

"I realized I'm in good shape, the only thing that I need to do is fine tune it so that when I go to my next competition before U.S. Nationals, I'll be back here feeling strong and fresh," he said. Reflecting on his final lap here, Lagat felt good though just didn't have the lift in his legs to match winner Kejelcha, Kenyan Edwin Soi, or Rupp. "When you are not sharp race-wise, that's how I feel. You always feel like you are not going fast enough. The body feels like it is fresh but the turnover is not there."

In the mixed zone, an American reporter asked if Lagat's focus has shifted at all from contending for a World Championships medal in Beijing to setting masters records. In so many words, he asked if Lagat was questioning if he could still keep up with the younger competitors. Lagat smiled his usual smile and gave a poignant and meaningful response.

"I have [the masters records] as a focus, yes," he began. "If I aim for a good time and end up not doing so well, I hope I can break [those] records. The [media] attention has been, yes, 'Bernard Lagat is 40, what is he going to do?' I still feel like I can perform at the highest level. 13:14 most of the time wins World Championships. That's all I can say. I just need to prepare really well with Coach James Li, train hard and come back here sharper in June to make the team."

Bernard Lagat has already achieved the 2015 World Championships and 2016 Olympic Games qualifying standards of 13:23 and 13:25, respectively. Now he just has to worry about finishing in the top three at the USA Championships this year and Olympic Trials the next.

The odds are in his favor: in eight of the past nine years, Lagat has placed in the top three in the 5000m at the national meet.

The only missing year? That was 2009, when he had an automatic qualifying birth into the World Championships and wound up taking home a silver medal.

WORLD LEADS, FIERCE BATTLES HIGHLIGHT SECOND DAY OF PREFONTAINE CLASSIC

By Chris Lotsbom, @ChrisLotsbom

(c) 2015 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved - Used with permission.

EUGENE, Ore. (30-May) -- As is tradition here at the Prefontaine Classic, records were shattered in bunches and world leading times were run in bulk at Historic Hayward Field, providing a memorable close to the 41st edition of this IAAF Diamond League meeting. Ethiopian Genzebe Dibaba became the fourth-fastest woman in 5000m history, just the tip of the iceberg on what was a perfect day of distance racing.

DIBABA RACES ALONE INTO 5000M HISTORY

At the pre-meet press conference on Friday, Ethiopian Genzebe Dibaba spoke confidently of chasing her sister Tirunesh's world record for 5000m (14:11.15). To come close to the mark, Dibaba would have to run well faster than her 5000m personal best of 14:28.88. That she did, chasing the clock as hard as possible in a largely solo run.

Despite a field that was perhaps the strongest in event history, Dibaba made 12 and a half laps look like a cakewalk, breaking away from the pack with ease and completing circuit after circuit in solitary. By 3000 meters, reached in 8:33.33, the 24-year-old was in front by 40 meters. Her split time at 3000 meters was announced as a facility record, bringing the sell-out crowd of 13,278 into a frenzy.

Though not quite on world record pace, Dibaba continued to press on, hoping to crack the 14:20 barrier. Doing so would put her among a very elite group of Tirunesh Dibaba, Meseret Defar, and Almaz Ayana.

Dibaba quickened her cadence with a lap to go, flying past the East Grandstands, around the Bowerman Curve, and down the homestretch with a determined look. To a roaring standing ovation she'd break the tape in 14:19.76, the fastest time every on U.S. soil.

"It was very fast and I am very happy today," said Dibaba. "I was very happy, under 14:20. It was good. My best time, I am very happy."

Clutching a bouquet of flowers, it was announced Dibaba had set a meet record, facility record, and was now the fourth fastest woman in history. After apologizing for not speaking much English, Dibaba smiled and said, "the last K was very hard, but my time was fast."

And about her goal, to break her sister's world record? "Next time, yes, next time I will chase the world record."

Well behind Dibaba, Faith Kipyegon took second in 14:31.95, in her debut at the distance, followed by Vivian Cheruiyot in 14:46.69 and Sally Kipyego in 14:47.75.

MEMORABLE DUEL BETWEEN KENYAN FOES KEMBOI AND BIRECH

For much of the past two years, Kenyans Ezekiel Kemboi and Jairus Birech have been the class of the world in the 3000m steeplechase. Kemboi is the two-time Olympic champion, while Birech won Commonwealth Games silver and was the African Champion in 2014. Here today, the pair quickly found their familiar spots at the head of the field.

Battling like two prize fighters, blow for blow and leap for leap, Kemboi and Birech rounded the oval with a familiar rhythm. Neither wanted to be the Kenyan to fold.

WORLD LEADS, FIERCE BATTLES HIGHLIGHT SECOND DAY OF PREFONTAINE CLASSIC

It would take the final water jump to truly decide a winner, as Kemboi cleared the barrier with ease while Birech had a slight miss-step.

By Chris Lotsbom, @ChrisLotsbom

(c) 2015 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved - Used with permission.

"I had to slow down the last 600 meters to get the strength for the final push," said Birech. "The last jump was the one."

EUGENE, Ore. (30-May) -- As is tradition here at the Prefontaine Classic, records were shattered in bunches and world leading times were run in bulk at Historic Hayward Field, providing a memorable close to the 41st edition of this IAAF Diamond League meeting. Ethiopian Genzebe Dibaba became the fourth-fastest woman in 5000m history, just the tip of the iceberg on what was a perfect day of distance racing.

Breaking the tape in 8:01.71 to Birech's 8:01.83, Kemboi took the win, pocketed four IAAF Diamond League race points, and then entertained the Hayward Field faithful with his traditional dance moves. Kemboi's time was a world lead, meet record, and facility record.

DIBABA RACES ALONE INTO 5000M HISTORY

"I still have a small problem with my jumping," Kemboi admitted, saying he wasn't as sharp as usual because this was his first steeplechase of the season. "I have the tactics and my training is very good. I like dancing and my dance, I just like the people here... I wanted a chance for them to be as happy as me."

At the pre-meet press conference on Friday, Ethiopian Genzebe Dibaba spoke confidently of chasing her sister Tirunesh's world record for 5000m (14:11.15). To come close to the mark, Dibaba would have to run well faster than her 5000m personal best of 14:28.88. That she did, chasing the clock as hard as possible in a largely solo run.

Behind Kemboi and Birech, American Evan Jager made a valiant attempt to better his own American record, coming up less than a second short. Still, the 26-year-old was very pleased with his 8:05.28 performance, especially considering the fact that he battled bravely with World Championships silver medalist Conseslus Kipruto.

Despite a field that was perhaps the strongest in event history, Dibaba made 12 and a half laps look like a cakewalk, breaking away from the pack with ease and completing circuit after circuit in solitary. By 3000 meters, reached in 8:33.33, the 24-year-old was in front by 40 meters. Her split time at 3000 meters was announced as a facility record, bringing the sell-out crowd of 13,278 into a frenzy.

"Everyone really came and brought their 'A' game," said Jager. "It stung a little bit the first couple laps but I was able to keep myself under control... I felt good the last lap and I was happy to see 8:05. It sucks, it was just off the record but it's early in the season."

Though not quite on world record pace, Dibaba continued to press on, hoping to crack the 14:20 barrier. Doing so would put her among a very elite group of Tirunesh Dibaba, Meseret Defar, and Almaz Ayana.

SIMPSON HOLDS STEADY IN WOMEN'S 1500M

Dibaba quickened her cadence with a lap to go, flying past the East Grandstands, around the Bowerman Curve, and down the homestretch with a determined look. To a roaring standing ovation she'd break the tape in 14:19.76, the fastest time every on U.S. soil.

Jenny Simpson, the reigning IAAF Diamond League champion at 1500m, had said on Saturday that the 2015 season was all about staying competitive at the front of the field. In her first metric mile of the outdoor season, Simpson executed a flawless strategy, remaining close to the front before sprinting powerfully to victory.

"It was very fast and I am very happy today," said Dibaba. "I was very happy, under 14:20. It was good. My best time, I am very happy."

While American compatriot Shannon Rowbury went with rabbit Phoebe Wright for the race's opening half, Simpson sat meters back leading the chase pack. Through 800 meters, Rowbury, Simpson, and Dutchwoman Sifan Hassan were in fine form for podium finishes.

Clutching a bouquet of flowers, it was announced Dibaba had set a meet record, facility record, and was now the fourth fastest woman in history. After apologizing for not speaking much English, Dibaba smiled and said, "the last K was very hard, but my time was fast."

A lap and a half later, it was Simpson, Hassan, and Kenya's Mercy Cherono going three wide entering the homestretch, all fighting for the win. Simply put, Simpson had the best strength and sprint on the day, holding steady in the front and breaking the tape with a pump of the fist in 4:00.98, the second-fastest time in the world this year. Cherono took second in 4:01.26 with Hassan third in 4:01.65. Rowbury wound up fourth in 4:02.28.

And about her goal, to break her sister's world record? "Next time, yes, next time I will chase the world record."

Well behind Dibaba, Faith Kipyegon took second in 14:31.95, in her debut at the distance, followed by Vivian Cheruiyot in 14:46.69 and Sally Kipyego in 14:47.75.

"I got to just kind of feel out the race for 800 meters and that was really fun to do," said Simpson. "There's not going to be a single race this year that's easy to win, so it really feels good to start off with a win and a good time.

MEMORABLE DUEL BETWEEN KENYAN FOES KEMBOI AND BIRECH

Outside of the top four, high school senior Alexa Efraimson drew a loud applause from the knowledgeable crowd, setting a new national junior and high school record with her 4:03.39, seventh place performance. The 18-year-old, who will graduate from Camas High School in Washington in two weeks, time hung tough in the pack, not relenting in the homestretch.

For much of the past two years, Kenyans Ezekiel Kemboi and Jairus Birech have been the class of the world in the 3000m steeplechase. Kemboi is the two-time Olympic champion, while Birech won Commonwealth Games silver and was the African Champion in 2014. Here today, the pair quickly found their familiar spots at the head of the field.

"I was hoping for a really big PR today knowing it was a really stacked field," said Efraimson, taking down Mary Cain's previous record of 4:04.62. "I think over this past year I've progressed a lot not only physically, but mentally and psychologically. It's been a really good year of training coming up to this and I knew that I wanted to run fast today."

Battling like two prize fighters, blow for blow and leap for leap, Kemboi and Birech rounded the oval with a familiar rhythm. Neither wanted to be the Kenyan to fold.

Efraimson's performance even drew a congratulations from Simpson, whom Efraimson considers a role model.

It would take the final water jump to truly decide a winner, as Kemboi cleared the barrier with ease while Birech had a slight miss-step.

"Wow! I think that's really impressive," said Simpson. "That's a really impressive run for her, her age, and her development."

"I had to slow down the last 600 meters to get the strength for the final push," said Birech. "The last jump was the one."

Breaking the tape in 8:01.71 to Birech's 8:01.83, Kemboi took the win, pocketed four IAAF Diamond League race points, and then entertained the Hayward Field faithful with his traditional dance moves. Kemboi's time was a world lead, meet record, and facility record.

SOULEIMAN DEFENDS BOWERMAN MILE CROWN

Minutes after Simpson gave America a win in the women's 1500m, it was up to compatriot Matthew Centrowitz to give the red, white, and blue a sweep of the meet's two iconic middle distance events. In his way, though, was reigning Bowerman Mile champion Ayanleh Souleiman.

"I still have a small problem with my jumping," Kemboi admitted, saying he wasn't as sharp as usual because this was his first steeplechase of the season. "I have the tactics and my training is very good. I like dancing and my dance, I just like the people here... I wanted a chance for them to be as happy as me."

Souleiman entered today's race with the sole purpose of winning, earning coveted IAAF Diamond League race points and protecting his title of Bowerman Mile champion. Facing a stellar field that included Kenyans Asbel Kiprop, Silas Kiplagat, and James Magut, Souleiman made sure to stay close to the lead pack.

Behind Kemboi and Birech, American Evan Jager made a valiant attempt to better his own American record, coming up less than a second short. Still, the 26-year-old was very pleased with his 8:05.28 performance, especially considering the fact that he battled bravely with World Championships silver medalist Conseslus Kipruto.

Through the half mile in a modest 1:59.64 (well behind the pacemakers), Souleiman and Centrowitz found themselves leading. The University of Oregon alum Centrowitz had came into the race wanting to stick as close to Souleiman's shoulder as possible. In the final lap, there wasn't even a foot separating the pair.

"Everyone really came and brought their 'A' game," said Jager. "It stung a little bit the first couple laps but I was able to keep myself under control... I felt good the last lap and I was happy to see 8:05. It sucks, it was just off the record but it's early in the season."

SIMPSON HOLDS STEADY IN WOMEN'S 1500M

Jenny Simpson, the reigning IAAF Diamond League champion at 1500m, had said on Saturday that the 2015 season was all about staying competitive at the front of the field. In her first metric mile of the outdoor season, Simpson executed a flawless strategy, remaining close to the front before sprinting powerfully to victory.

While American compatriot Shannon Rowbury went with rabbit Phoebe Wright for the race's opening half, Simpson sat meters back leading the chase pack. Through 800 meters, Rowbury, Simpson, and Dutchwoman Sifan Hassan were in fine form for podium finishes.

A lap and a half later, it was Simpson, Hassan, and Kenya's Mercy Cherono going three wide entering the homestretch, all fighting for the win. Simply put, Simpson had the best strength and sprint on the day, holding steady in the front and breaking the tape with a pump of the fist in 4:00.98, the second-fastest time in the world this year. Cherono took second in 4:01.26 with Hassan third in 4:01.65. Rowbury wound up fourth in 4:02.28.

"I got to just kind of feel out the race for 800 meters and that was really fun to do," said Simpson. "There's not going to be a single race this year that's easy to win, so it really feels good to start off with a win and a good time.

Outside of the top four, high school senior Alexa Efraimson drew a loud applause from the knowledgeable crowd, setting a new national junior and high school record with her 4:03.39, seventh place performance. The 18-year-old, who will graduate from Camas High School in Washington in two weeks, time hung tough in the pack, not relenting in the homestretch.

"I was hoping for a really big PR today knowing it was a really stacked field," said Efraimson, taking down Mary Cain's previous record of 4:04.62. "I think over this past year I've progressed a lot not only physically, but mentally and psychologically. It's been a really good year of training coming up to this and I knew that I wanted to run fast today."

Efraimson's performance even drew a congratulations from Simpson, whom Efraimson considers a role model.

"Wow! I think that's really impressive," said Simpson. "That's a really impressive run for her, her age, and her development."

SOULEIMAN DEFENDS BOWERMAN MILE CROWN

Minutes after Simpson gave America a win in the women's 1500m, it was up to compatriot Matthew Centrowitz to give the red, white, and blue a sweep of the meet's two iconic middle distance events. In his way, though, was reigning Bowerman Mile champion Ayanleh Souleiman.

Souleiman entered today's race with the sole purpose of winning, earning coveted IAAF Diamond League race points and protecting his title of Bowerman Mile champion. Facing a stellar field that included Kenyans Asbel Kiprop, Silas Kiplagat, and James Magut, Souleiman made sure to stay close to the lead pack.

Through the half mile in a modest 1:59.64 (well behind the pacemakers), Souleiman and Centrowitz found themselves leading. The University of Oregon alum Centrowitz had came into the race wanting to stick as close to Souleiman's shoulder as possible. In the final lap, there wasn't even a foot separating the pair.

Down the homestretch as if attached at the hip, Souleiman held the slightest advantage, with Kiprop a step further back. Despite a late challenge by Centrowitz, the IAAF World Indoor Champion in Souleiman was able to maintain his lead and successfully retain his crown, stopping the clock in a new world lead of 3:51.10.

"This year, I want the points and Diamond League. I am happy to have a good run and get those," said a relaxed Souleiman, the first repeat Bowerman Mile champion since Kiprop in 2009/2010. "I want the points, not the time. I knew Centrowitz was coming back and he was fast last year. He was pushing. I win, I am happy, and next week I will go to Rome 800m and see you on TV!"

Centrowitz was a tenth of a second back in 3:51.20, followed by the fast-closing Kiprop third in 3:51.25.

"It's the best place I've finished in any Diamond League 1500m or mile. Even though I was close to the win, I was definitely happy with how I finished and it's a good step in the right direction," said Centrowitz. Interestingly, all 13 runners in the Bowerman Mile field finished under 3:57.34.

SUM AND WILSON BATTLE FOR 800M SUPREMACY

As favorite, reigning world champion Eunice Sum had to work very hard to secure a win in the women's 800m. A tightly bunched affair through one lap, American Brenda Martinez opened the race up with a strong surge less than 300 meters from the finish. Stringing the field into single file, Martinez charged on until Sum and Ajee' Wilson came up on her shoulder as they approached the final homestretch.

While Martinez tightened up slightly and faded, Sum and Wilson went stride for stride until only five meters remained, when the Kenyan gained a step's advantage. She'd win in a world-leading 1:57.82 to Wilson's 1:57.87.

"The last 200m, you know, I was just like 'I messed it up, so now I just got to give it all I got the last 200m,'" said Wilson. "I just think I would have had a better shot of winning had I put myself in a better position."

AMAN REBOUNDS WITH WIN FOR ADOPTED HOMETOWN

Oregon Track Club member and reigning IAAF World 800m Champion Mohammed Aman rebounded from a rough 1:47.38 season opener to win here today in front of his adopted home crowd. Racing in a retro Oregon Track Club singlet, Aman took the lead with 250 meters to go and rounded the Bowerman Curve with confidence. He'd win in 1:44.92, with Botswana's Nijel Amos second in 1:45.06 and Olympic 1500m champion Taoufik Makhloufi third in 1:45.17.

"My focus was to run here in my hometown and it made me happy," he said. "You feel relaxed. I am so strong, I train with coach [Mark] Rowland, and I was ready."

Aman wasn't the only Oregon Track Club member to win today. Ben Blankenship dug deep to match Jonathan Sawe and Timothy Cheruiyot's kicks in the homestretch of the International Mile, ultimately passing the pair of Kenyans on the inside to win in 3:55.72.

The next stop of the IAAF Diamond League will be in Rome on June 4.

FARAH THRILLS CROWD WITH 10,000M VICTORY ON DAY ONE OF PREFONTAINE CLASSIC

By Chris Lotsbom, @ChrisLotsbom

(c) 2015 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved - Used with permission.

EUGENE, Ore. (29-May) -- On a crystal clear night perfect for racing, Great Britain's double Olympic champion Mo Farah electrified the Hayward Field faithful, fighting tooth and nail to win the 10,000m here at the Prefontaine Classic's opening day of competition. Farah, 32, prevailed in a time of 26:50.97, the fourth fastest 10,000m ever run at Hayward Field and the fastest time so far in the world this year.

"My aim was to definitely run faster," Farah told members of the media, slightly frustrated with the final time. "It's one of those things where you just might as well go for it while it's still early on [in the season]. That was the aim, but you know, it was pretty difficult."

From the opening kilometers, one could sense the 10,000m was going to be a barn-burner. At halfway, hit in approximately 13:21, Farah held a step lead on a group of five which included Paul Tanui, Geoffrey Kamworor, Geoffrey Kirui, and Emmanuel Bett, all from Kenya. Pressing on, Farah looked like a man on a mission, often trading the lead with Tanui. The pair had talked among one another early in the race, and agreed to share leading duties hoping to run a fast time.

With two miles remaining, the pack had dwindled down to three: Farah, Tanui, and Kamworor. Still, Farah and Tanui did a majority of the leading.

Antsy for a faster time, the Hayward Field faithful kept their traditional rhythmic clap going, amplified a notch when Farah surged to the lead with three laps to go. However, the fans weren't just cheering for Farah -- they were roaring for his Nike Oregon Project teammate Cam Levins, who'd moved up very well from well back at halfway to fourth position in the final kilometer.

For a moment it looked as if Farah was starting to fade up front, as Tanui fought his way into the pole position with 700 meters to go. But Farah --who hasn't lost a 10,000m competition since 2011-- wasn't going to go down without a fight.

After taking the bell, Farah moved into the lead and went to his trademark finishing kick, opening up his stride hoping to get to the Bowerman Curve in front. That he did, using the standing ovation and roars from the crowd to power home through the line in 26:50.97. Tanui was second in 26:51.86, followed by Kamworor, the world cross country champion, in third (26:52.65).

"I was hoping to run a lot faster, I was hoping to run 26:30-something," Farah again reiterated. "You try these things. That was today's aim, and I've never run that fast. My aim is to give it a go."

Down the stretch, Farah knew he could get the win in front of his adopted hometown fans.

"I was just thinking push all the way to the end," Farah said. "I was quite pumped up at the start. It was good. I like Hayward Field and it is a good crowd and they love distance. There's great history."

Levins, 26, wound up finishing fourth, shattering Simon Bairu's Canadian national record of 27:23.63. Levins's time of 27:07.51 was a personal best by more than 20 seconds.

"Oh my gosh it was amazing," said an exuberant Levins, talking fast with excitement. "It was a huge push. They kept me going, kept me going, and kept me strong. I was telling Simon [Bairu] before the race 'Hey it's going down.' All he said was 'I'm surprised you hadn't got it already.' It was kind of his push back on me, like 'What took you so long.'"

With it being the 40th anniversary of Steve Prefontaine's final race, many in attendance had hopes that an American --especially homegrown talent Galen Rupp-- would cap off the anniversary in style with a victory. However, it simply wasn't to be. The men's 5000m looked more like an 800m, as nearly the entire field stayed bunched together until there was a mere two laps to go.

With 600m left, Rupp had had enough. Surging to the lead, the 29-year-old Olympic silver medalist took control, pushing the pace with a sudden change of pace.

Matching Rupp stride for stride was Kenya's Albert Rop and Ethiopia's Yomif Kejelcha, the latter a 17-year-old who won the IAAF World Junior Championship 5000m title on this very track last year.

As the Hayward Field faithful's cheers got louder for Rupp, the wheels on the father of twin girls began to slowly fade. Kejelcha came up on Rupp's shoulder with 300 meters remaining and swiftly went by, completing what the public address announcer said was a 55.2-second lap from 4400 to 4800 meters. For the final half lap, the youthful Kejelcha was alone in front, breaking the tape in 13:10.54.

Behind, Rupp and Soi battled for second, with the Kenyan prevailing in 13:11.97 to Rupp's 13:12.36. Forty year-old Bernard Lagat was fourth in 13:14.97, smashing the masters (40+) world record.

The day belonged to Kejelcha, however, whose previous personal best was a mediocre 13:25.19. Entering the mixed zone with a very big smile and sporting a new Nike shirt, Kejelcha stopped in front of a throng of reporters. All he could say in between smiles was "No English! No English! No English" before scampering off to the athlete recovery area without further comment.

Rupp did stop and speak with reporters after Farah's win, pleased with his season opening performance.

"It was pretty tactical, so I knew that I had to try to make a longer run with a lot of the guys having good kicks," said Rupp. "I did my best to do what I thought I needed to do to win. I just got to make the right adjustments in training and go from there."

He continued: "I really wanted to see how I stacked up against these guys. It's been a while since I've raced that hard and I'm happy with how it went... I know my strength is good right now so it's good practice for the big meets coming up which are probably going to be tactical too. I was really pleased with the way it turned out and I know where I'm at now."

In the USATF High Performance Women's 800m, Maggie Vessey claimed the win in a season best 2:00.07. Vessey created a five meter gap out front after the pacer stepped off and never let go, keeping her foot on the gas pedal all the way through the tape.

Vessey told reporters she is very confident with how training has gone, and did not taper coming into this meet. She will taper for the USA Championships here later next month.

"The strength is there, the speed is there," she said. "I feel fantastic. It's just a matter of being relaxed when I go to the starting line, getting out of my own way, saddling up and going for the ride and seeing what happens."

Phoebe Wright was second in 2:00.79, while last year's IAAF World Junior Champion Margaret Nyairera Wambui of Kenya was third in 2:01.32.

Throughout last indoor season, North Carolina's Ryen Frazier dominated the high school mile scene, winning invitationals across the country. Here, she'd have to rely on a hard sprint for the line to take home the crown, winning the girls' high school mile by a mere four-one hundredths of a second.

The entire 10-girl field was bunched at the bell, when Frazier and Danielle Jones of Arizona separated from the pack. Neck and neck down the homestretch, the pair went stride for stride all the way to the line before Frazier gained a step. Unsure of who won, both Frazier and Jones embraced shortly after the finish. The scoreboard revealed that Frazier had indeed taken first, 4:39.84 to 4:39.88.

"I don't like to celebrate, especially when it's that close!" said Frazier, reflecting on the moments after her win. "I was glad I could get a step. I thought I had a step and I'm glad I did."

Minutes later, another close race played out in the Boys' High School Mile. Mikey Brannigan of Northport, N.Y., led coming down the homestretch, out in front by five meters. As it looked like Brannigan, who has Autism, was going to win and complete his dream of finishing first at Hayward Field, Arizona's Carlos Villareal appeared out of nowhere in lane four, sprinting hard for the line.

Making up ground with ease, Villareal raised his arm in celebration as he crossed the line, 4:05.25 on the clock. Brannigan was second in 4:05.78.