Prefontaine Classic Press Conference: Interview with Bernard Lagat

Bernard Lagat kicks for the win at the
2011 USA 5000 Championships
(photo: TrackAndFieldPhoto)

The press conference for the 38th Prefontaine Classic was today at the Valley River Inn in Eugene. I was lucky enough to spend five plus minutes with one of the legends of our sport, Bernard "Kip" Lagat.

I asked him about three things:

1. His relationship with Augustine Choge (in reference to Choge's praise of him in his 5 Questions with feature)

"He is always there: when you're doing track workouts, when you need a guy to help you in a time trial or to run tempo. He's a nice guy. Down to earth and so disciplined."

2. How he and Coach Li select people for their training group

"It is the hardest process to get in. We have a unique way of training."

3. How he has helped mentor the younger Kenyans, in reference to the Kenyan 10,000 Trials tonight

"I remember Asbel Kiprop used to be so shy until I gave him a few tips. Silas Kiplagat and Asbel come for advice. I share with the American runners and the Kenyans."

Lagat also had a great line when meet director Tom Jordan asked him if he still enjoys running the 1500 and Mile (as he'll run the Bowerman Mile tomorrow):  "They’re always fun, because they’re not as slow as the 5000 meters"

Listen to my full interview by clicking here to download the mp3

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Battle Royale: Bernard Lagat takes on Silas Kiplagat in the inaugural US Open Men's Mile

The new "Chairman of the Boards"

Bernard Lagat will be at Madison Square Garden this Saturday for his annual mile trek around the boards, only this time, it won't be for the Wanamaker Mile. It will be for the inaugural US Open, which has stacked fields in every event, from Asafa Powell versus Justin Gatlin in the Men's 50 to the return of Lolo Jones in the Women's 50 meter hurdles.

In the Men's Mile, Lagat leads the field with Daegu Silver Medalist, Silas Kiplagat, being the top contender to try to take down one of the best indoors runners ever. Also in the field are Ethiopia's Henok Legesse, Kenya's Daniel Kipchirchir Komen and Americans, Anthony "Fam" Famiglietti and Matt Elliott.

In the Women's Mile, it's an All American showdown with Anna Pierce leading the way and Daegu-bound  steeplechaser (before injury), Stephanie Garcia, Lauren Hagans and Brenda Martinez giving chase.

High school phenom Ajee Wilson, who just committed to Florida State, leads the Women's 800 and Bershawn Jackson and Renny Quow face off in their annual dual in the 600 yard dash. 

Full start lists are available here and the event is the first of the four part Visa Championship Series, which will also include the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix next weekend in Boston, the USA Track and Field Classic, which is the following weekend in Fayetteville, AR and the USATF Indoor Championships, which will be held February 25-26 in Albuquerque, NM. Not in the Visa Championship Series, but equally exciting, the "new" Millrose Games (at the Armory), is putting together a nice field, especially in the Men's 5000. More on that next week.

The full schedule for the US Open is available here. The event will air on ESPN2 this Sunday (on tape delay), from 7-9pm eastern.

Below are the qualifying standards for the USATF Indoor Championships:

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