FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Call it the "Fabulous 5,000" part two.
Oregon's Galen Rupp ran 13:18.12 in the 5,000 meters Friday night at the Tyson Invitational to break four decades-old records held by some of the great names in the sport of running.
The senior from Portland broke Doug Padilla's American indoor 5,000 meter record of 13:20.55 set 27 years ago at the 1982 Millrose Games in New York City.
"It was a fun race today," said Rupp. "Everyone got into it. Awesome atmosphere. We talked about the possibility of getting (a record), but you never want to get too focused on a time."
Rupp also bettered the collegiate indoor 5,000 meter record, just eclipsing the 1981 time of 13:20.4 by Suleiman Nyambui' of Texas-El Paso. Nyambui's mark came in a race better known as the "Fabulous 5,000," where the great Tanzanian runner outlasted Oregon's Alberto Salazar, who until Friday night held both the American collegiate and Oregon indoor 5,000 meter records, with a time of 13:22.6 from his Millrose Games' race with Nyambui'.
"I was really happy with my finish. I kept my form," said Rupp. "I think we were a little slow at the beginning. Nobody wanted to lead."
Friday evening at the Randall Tyson Track Center, it was a three-way contest between Rupp, Ethopia's Bekana Daba, and Sam Chelanga of Liberty. All three runners shattered the stadium record, 13:28.93 by Arkansas' Alistair Cragg in 2003.
"Chelanga and I had a great race in cross county and I knew he was gong to be there," Rupp said. "And Daba is such a great runner."
Daba went on to win in 13:17.89, with Rupp less than a second back and Chelanga, from Nairobi, Kenya, a stride back in third at 13:19.79. The three stayed in the lead pack the entire race, and Rupp and Daba took turns leading in the final laps before Daba took the lead late for the win, pulling Rupp along with him into second and into the record books.
"The coaches were great. They just told me to stay relaxed, stay relaxed. The kick is going to come," said Rupp.
Posted in College on Saturday, February 14, 2009 12:00 am Updated: 12:57 am.
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