by Larry Eder
Bernard Lagat, photo by PhotoRun.net
TUCSON (USA): Bernard Lagat will retire from the track at the end of the summer, reports the IAAF. The 41-year-old is planning to contest the World Indoor Champs in Portland before attempting to make his fifth Olympic team for Rio this summer. After 2016, Lagat will switch his attention to the roads. “We have all these road races in America which I’ve always wanted to do. I still want to be competitive but I want to have fun also,” he said.
Editor’s note: Bernard Lagat has had a storied career. Unfortunately, all good things come to an end.
Bernard wants to make the World Indoors and the Rio Olympics. Bernard Lagat was and is a runner, with a fine set of skills. For me, watching how Bernard could hold it together and make his final move in the last fifty meters of a race was exciting. After the races, looking at the pictures by PhotoRun.net of the look of complete invovlement in his races, one sees how Bernard Lagat will be remembered as one of the great ones.
For the past decade or so, I would be fortunate to see Bernard, most years, racing indoors in Birmingham. One year, we shared a taxi back to the airport. A nice half hour chat with Bernard was fun, and relaxing. A genuine person, who enjoys his life and understands his fortune at doing the things that he loves.
Bernard Lagat is a talented athlete, husband, father, and good taxi partner.
