Dathan Ritzenhein had the race of his life tonight, running what was until tonight only 0.02 seconds behind the world’s leading 5k time of the year.
Cutting 20.3 seconds off of his personal best (set at the USA Outdoor Championships in 2006), he followed right on the heels of Kenenisa Bekele’s 12:52.32 and Edwin Cheruiyot Soi’s 12:55.03 to become only the 3rd American to run under 13 minutes in the 5k with his new American Record of 12:56.27.
Bob Kennedy’s American record of 12:58.21 had stood for 15 years. Ritzenhein finished 6th just over a week ago at the world championships in the 10000m, running 27:22.28, and was the first American in 11th place in the Olympic Marathon last Summer. His 3rd place finish was his first trip to the podium on the world track stage.
Congratulations, Dathan! Great run tonight!
(More Info: Men’s Results – Photo Credit: Jean-Pierre)
So awesome! I love this interview with him after:
http://www.flotrack.org/videos/coverage/view_video/235529-2009-weltklasse-zurich/199908-ritz-video-interview-after-breaking-the-american-record-in-the-5k