Bernard Lagat Can't Be Counted Out, On His Upbringing in Kenya and Recent Return

Bernard Lagat was the subject of a Sports Illustrated story that I wrote this week titled: "Before Attempt at History, Bernard Lagat Returned to His Roots in Kenya." The story shares how Lagat returned home to Kenya to train for the 2020 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials, where he will be vying to make his sixth Olympic team at age 45. He holds a marathon personal best of 2:12:10 from last year's Gold Coast Marathon and enters as one of the most intriguing dark horses in the men's elite race.

The story and conversation also examine how Lagat has made himself one of the faces of American distance running when it's less than 20 years since he made the allegiance switch from Kenya. He's the second-fastest 1,500 meter runner in history and owns two Olympic medals from his time competing as a Kenyan. He switched in 2004. What was the reaction by Kenyans? How was he received by Americans? And what was the importance and role of immigrants in the revitalization of U.S. distance running?

More also on: Growing up in a family with 12 siblings, his first running shoes, when he first returned to Kenya in 2007, training with Eliud Kipchoge, AlphaFlys and shoe technology and much more.

Read the story on SI here: https://www.si.com/olympics/2020/02/25/bernard-lagat-us-olympic-marathon-trials

Support for this episode comes from Stryd. They’re helping ensure that you nail the perfect pacing strategy so you can keep a consistent effort in challenging conditions - all in real-time. I’m digging all the data that it’s collecting and you’ll see a bunch of people wearing them on their shoes at the US Olympic Marathon Trials. Learn more by visiting STRYD.COM/CITIUS

ATL LIVE SHOWS INFO

FRIDAY - 9 a.m.

Guests: Keith and Kevin Hanson

Where: Switchyards Downtown - 151 Ted Turner Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30303

We'll discuss their influential work with elite U.S. distance runners and their team over the past 20 years.

FRIDAY - 11:15 a.m.

Guests: Matt McDonald, Alyssa Bloomquist, Ann Mazur and Duriel Hardy

Where: America’s Marathon Weekend Experience - Georgia World Congress Center, Hall A3

We'll meet these 9-5'ers and talk about how they have found ways to run fast while being full time workers and students.

All CITIUS MAG in Atlanta information here: http://citiusmag.com/2020-us-olympic-marathon-trials-events-schedule/

▶ Follow us: twitter.com/CitiusMag | instagram.com/citiusmag | facebook.com/citiusmag

✩ Connect with Chris via Email: chris@citiusmag.com | twitter.com/ChrisChavez | instagram.com/chris_j_chavez