RIO DE JANEIRO — Bernard Lagat advanced through the first round of the men’s 5,000 meters and into the final, once again running nearly neck and neck with runners half his age.
Lagat, 41, finished with a time of 13:26.02, only 17th overall but good enough to advance. Kenyan by birth, Lagat became a naturalized citizen of the USA in 2004 and first represented the country on the Olympic stage at the 2008 Beijing Games.
The USA’s Paul Kipkemoi Chelimo (13:19.54) posted the best time among all runners. Among others who advanced to the final were Great Britain’s Mo Farah (13:25.