Bernard "Kip" Lagat after finishing second at the NYRR 5th Avenue Mile in 2012. (Photo by Arun Kristian Das)
NEW YORK (MYFOXNY) -
Four-time Olympian Bernard "Kip" Lagat will run farther than he's ever run in a race when he laces up for the NYC Half on March 17, 2013, the New York Road Runners announced.
Lagat represented his native Kenya at the 2000 and 2004 Olympic Games and the United States at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics.
"I'm excited to be running a half-marathon," Lagat said in a statement. "It's a big step up in distance, but I think I'll be well prepared. Of course, there's a bit of uncertainty, but that makes it exciting; the challenge is what really appeals to me."
Lagat, 38, has had a lot of success in New York City. He won the 2011 Fifth Avenue Mile and several Wanamaker Miles, and just last weekend reclaimed the American indoor record for a two-mile track race at the Millrose Games with a time of 8:09.49.
"We are simply thrilled to host Bernard Lagat, one of the greatest runners our sport has ever seen, in his debut at the half-marathon distance," NYRR CEO Mary Wittenberg said in a statement. "Bernard already has a storied history in New York City; he's inspired us with his dominance at the Wanamaker Mile and his perseverance at the Fifth Avenue Mile, racing year after year until he finally captured the crown.
Lagat has two Olympic medals in the 1,500-meter race: bronze at the Sydney Games in 2000 and silver in Athens in 2004. At the 2012 London Olympics, Lagat finished fourth in the 5,000-meter race.
At the 2012 5th Avenue Mile, Lagat, the defending champion, came in second to Matt Centrowitz.
The NYC Half is the Road Runners' flagship half-marathon. The race begins with one full loop of Central Park, heads south into Times Square, then shoots down the West Side Highway, and ends in Lower Manhattan.
"I'm really looking forward to the half-marathon next month," Lagat said. "I've been planning for it during all my training this season."
Wednesday, June 19 2013 8:37 AM EDT2013-06-19 12:37:39 GMT
The cast of an Atlanta sports radio show has been fired after mocking a former NFL player who has Lou Gehrig's disease, a station official said Monday.
The cast of an Atlanta sports radio show has been fired after mocking a former NFL player who has Lou Gehrig's disease, a station official said Monday.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 9:03 PM EDT2013-06-19 01:03:21 GMT
Police in Massachusetts investigating a possible homicide questioned New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez on Monday, according to a Sports Illustrated report.
Police in Massachusetts investigating a possible homicide questioned New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez on Monday, according to a Sports Illustrated report.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 10:05 AM EDT2013-06-18 14:05:52 GMT
They lost three times in three months in one of the most overpowering stretches the NBA has ever seen.Now the Miami Heat have lost three times in five games.
They lost three times in three months in one of the most overpowering stretches the NBA has ever seen.Now the Miami Heat have lost three times in five games.
Monday, June 17 2013 12:20 PM EDT2013-06-17 16:20:15 GMT
lie Hermann has started her first full day as Rutgers' athletic director. A university spokesman tweeted late Monday morning that Hermann was on campus.
lie Hermann has started her first full day as Rutgers' athletic director. A university spokesman tweeted late Monday morning that Hermann was on campus.
Monday, June 17 2013 9:39 AM EDT2013-06-17 13:39:47 GMT
Jason Kidd has had one of the most impressive careers in basketball history. He's now adding another chapter to the story as the new head coach of the Brooklyn Nets. Kidd visited the set of GDNY on Monday and spoke about his new role and what is was like hanging up his jersey for good.
Jason Kidd has had one of the most impressive careers in basketball history. He's now adding another chapter to the story as the new head coach of the Brooklyn Nets. Kidd visited the set of GDNY on Monday and spoke about his new role and what is was like hanging up his jersey for good.
Sunday, June 16 2013 11:08 PM EDT2013-06-17 03:08:43 GMT
Manu Ginobili had 24 points and 10 assists in a surprise start to spark the San Antonio Spurs to a 114-104 victory over the Miami Heat in Game 5 of the NBAFinals on Sunday night, pushing the Spurs one victory away from their fifth championship.Danny Green scored 24 points and broke Ray Allen's finals record for 3s in a series with 25.
Manu Ginobili had 24 points and 10 assists in a surprise start to spark the San Antonio Spurs to a 114-104 victory over the Miami Heat in Game 5 of the NBAFinals on Sunday night, pushing the Spurs one victory away from their fifth championship.Danny Green scored 24 points and broke Ray Allen's finals record for 3s in a series with 25.
Sunday, June 16 2013 4:56 PM EDT2013-06-16 20:56:33 GMT
Kirk Nieuwenhuis hit a three-run homer that capped a four-run rally in the bottom of the ninth inning and the New York Mets salvaged what had been shaping up as another sorry afternoon, startling the Chicago Cubs 4-3 on Sunday.Matt Garza pitched seven scoreless innings and the Cubs scored twice on a madcap play that featured three bad throws by Mets infielders, giving Chicago a 3-0 lead.
Kirk Nieuwenhuis hit a three-run homer that capped a four-run rally in the bottom of the ninth inning and the New York Mets salvaged what had been shaping up as another sorry afternoon, startling the Chicago Cubs 4-3 on Sunday.Matt Garza pitched seven scoreless innings and the Cubs scored twice on a madcap play that featured three bad throws by Mets infielders, giving Chicago a 3-0 lead.
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