Lagat Wins 1500m Gold for US

Kenyan-born runner is first American to win the event
By Katherine Thompson,  Newser Staff
Posted Aug 30, 2007 8:53 AM CDT
Lagat Wins 1500m Gold for US
USA's Bernard Lagat reacts after crossing the finish line to win the gold medal in the Men's 1,500m final at the World Athletics Championships Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2007 in Osaka, Japan. (AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus)   (Associated Press)

Kenya native Bernard Lagat became the first US runner to win the 1,500 meters at the world track and field championships in Osaka last night, the AP reports. Lagat, who became a US citizen in 2004, broke away from the pack near the end of the race to defeat countrymen Rashid Ramzi, competing for Brunei, and Shedrack Kibet Korir.

Lagat's teammate Alan Webb, who had the world's top time in the event and led for most of the race, fell behind in the last 50 meters, finishing eighth. He described his performance as "just a colossal breakdown." Webb is finished at the worlds; Lagat will turn his focus to the 5,000, which begins tonight. (More Bernard Lagat stories.)

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