Galen Rupp Breaks Steve Prefontaine's Olympic Trials Record in the 5000 Meters

It took 13 minutes and 22.67 seconds to break an Olympic Trials record in the 5000 meters that stood for 40 years but this record is going to stay in the University of Oregon family. Galen Rupp shattered Steve Prefontaine's Olympic Trials meet record in the 5000 meters by .13 second on Thursday on the very track that Rupp called home during his college career.

Bernard Lagat was the heavy favorite going into the race and looked to be in line to win going into the final lap when Rupp made his charge, edging Lagat at the line by .15 of a second to take the victory. Late heroics that will forever enshrine Galen into Track Town USA lore and Olympic Trials history.

Paul Swangard summed up the feeling of a magical, historic event at the hollowed grounds of Hayward Field.

"Meet Galen Rupp - sprinter".

NY Times Coverage | Reuters