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Bernard Lagat breaks American record in 5,000m as Jeshua Anderson finishes 6th in 400m hurdles

Bernard Lagat, left, set U.S. record at 5,000 meters in the Herculis Diamond League meet. (Associated Press)
Bernard Lagat, left, set U.S. record at 5,000 meters in the Herculis Diamond League meet. (Associated Press)

MONACO – Jeshua Anderson jumped into the deep end of the pool in his professional debut Friday.

But old veteran Bernard Lagat made the bigger splash among the two former Washington State runners at the Herculis Diamond League meet.

Though he narrowly lost a thrilling stretch sprint to Britain’s Mo Farah, Lagat broke his American record for 5,000 meters by a full second, clocking 12 minutes, 53.11 seconds.

Anderson, who won the USA championships last month but has been idle since, finished sixth in the 400-meter hurdles in a stacked field that included athletes with five world or Olympic gold medals among them. Anderson finished in 49.43 – well behind the winner, two-time Olympic champ Angelo Taylor (47.97).

“Thankful I’m healthy and got this experience in (before the) World Championships,” Anderson posted on his Twitter account after the race. “I’ll be ready!”