Former Coug Bernard Lagat wins 5,000 meter, qualifies for Rio

Five Olympics, for anyone, is a special feat when you consider what age and decades of athletic competition can do for the body. So this year was former Coug Bernard Lagat's last shot at qualifying for the Olympic games. Sitting in sixth place on the bell lap of the 5,000 meters, the climb was going to be a steep one for Lagat to get to at least 3rd, the final qualifying spot.

He didn't just do that. He won the whole dang thing.

Lagat's late surge in the final 300 or so meters is stupendous and almost straight out of the distance race textbook. When you consider Lagat's age, the mileage he has on his legs, and the incredible competition at these trials, it's an even more magnificent accomplishment that he ran the final lap in just over 52 seconds.

Lagat has won medals in the Olympics before, taking bronze in Sydney and silver in Athens, both in the 1,500 meters. He has said previously this will be his final year of competition so he has one more shot to complete his collection next month in Rio de Janiero.

Congrats to Bernard on a pretty great accomplishment!