Wesley Hitt/University of ArkansasIn placing second in the 5, 000 meters today at the Tyson Invitational in Fayetteville, Ark., Oregon's Galen Rupp broke Doug Padilla's U.S. record of 13:20.55 set in 1982.
University of Oregon senior Galen Rupp claimed his first U.S. track and field record today at the Tyson Invitational in Fayetteville, Ark. - placing second in a fast indoor 5, 000 meters.
Rupp previously broke high school records, junior records and collegiate records.
This one is the biggest yet. The 22-year-old took down a record older than he is.
Rupp, who took the lead with 600 meters left and held onto it until about 200 left, was beaten to the finish line over the last lap by Ethiopian Bekana Daba. Rupp finished in 13 minutes, 18.12 seconds. That broke Doug Padilla's record of 13:20.55 set in 1982 in New York. It's also the NCAA record and the Oregon record.
Daba surged past Rupp to win in 13:17.89.
The race went out in a first mile of 4:18.9, and the second mile was run in about 4:16.
Wesley Hitt/University of ArkansasGalen Rupp (11) took the lead with 600 meters left, held it until about 200 left, then was beaten to the finish line by Ethiopian Bekana Daba (10) in their 5, 000-meter race at the Tyson Invitational.Daba, 20, has run 13:04.91 for 5, 000 meters outdoors. Rupp's previous best at the distance was 13:30 two years ago. But he was poised for a breakthrough in the event after lowering personal bests this winter in the 800, 1, 600 (on a relay) and 3, 000 meters.Third-place finisher Sam Chelanga of Liberty University finished in 13:19.79, also going faster than the previous U.S. collegiate record.