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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Lagat breaks American mark in indoor 2-mile

Ex-Cougar now holds five indoor U.S. records

Bernard Lagat accepts congratulations from fans after he set the American record for the indoor 2-mile run at the Armory in New York on Saturday, Feb. 12, 2011. (Henny Abrams / Fr151332 Ap)
Associated Press
NEW YORK — Bernard Lagat has set a new U.S. indoor record in the two-mile run, breaking a 21-year old mark to become the American record-holder at the five distances from 1,500 meters to two miles. Lagat finished in 8 minutes, 10.07 seconds during a college meet at the Armory on Saturday night, beating the mark of 8:15.02 that Doug Padilla set on Feb. 16, 1990, in Los Angeles. The 36-year-old Lagat now holds the U.S. indoor marks in the mile and 2 mile, and 1,500, 3,000 and 5,000 meters. He is also the U.S. outdoor record holder for the 1,500, 3,000 and 5,000. It was the first time the seven-time Olympic and world championship medalist had run 2 miles indoors as a professional. He earned a $10,000 bonus for winning the race and setting a new record.