Late Kick Lifts Lagat To Victory

USA Track & Field Championships--Men's 5K Final

Bernard Lagat breaks the tape in 13:23.06, only half a second ahead of second-place finisher Chris Solinsky. Photo: PhotoRun.net

USA Track & Field Championships--Men's 5K Final

Lagat took the lead for the first time coming into the home straight with just over 100 meters to go. Photo: PhotoRun.net

USA Track & Field Championships--Men's 5K Final

Galen Rupp, doubling back after winning the 10,000m on Thursday night, finished an impressive third in the 5,000, running 13:25.52. Photo: PhotoRun.net

USA Track & Field Championships--Men's 5K Final

Chris Solinsky moved to the front with three laps to go and continued to push the pace at close to 60 seconds per lap. Photo: PhotoRun.net

USA Track & Field Championships--Men's 5K Final

Matt Tegenkamp, leading here, also doubled back after his second-place finish in the 10,000m the night before. After a slow opening mile he moved to the front and set an honest pace. Photo: PhotoRun.net

USA Track & Field Championships--Men's 5K Final

Tegenkamp led the pack through 2 miles in just under 9:00. Photo: PhotoRun.net

USA Track & Field Championships--Men's 5K Final

Lagat qualified for yet another World Championships team with his victory on Friday night. Photo: PhotoRun.net

USA Track & Field Championships--Men's 5K Final

Solisnky, who was hampered with a hamstring injury in the weeks leading up to the race, stated afterward that his goal was to run for gold at the World Championships in Daegu. Photo: PhotoRun.net

USA Track & Field Championships--Men's 5K Final

Tegenkamp leads Oregon Track Club teammate Andrew Bumbalough, who finished a solid fourth in 13:39.94. Photo: PhotoRun.net

USA Track & Field Championships--Men's 5K Final

Tegenkamp, leading here, will represent the U.S. in the 10,000m at the world championships. Photo: PhotoRun.net

USA Track & Field Championships--Men's 5K Final

Galen Rupp, running behind Chris Solinsky here, ran the first half of the race wearing his trademark pollen-blocking mask. Photo: PhotoRun.net

USA Track & Field Championships--Men's 5K Final

Rupp announced after the race that he will run both the 10,000 and the 5,000 at the world championships in August. Photo: PhotoRun.net

USA Track & Field Championships--Men's 5K Final

Left to right: Chris Solinsky, Bernard Lagat, Galen Rupp. Photo: PhotoRun.net

USA Track & Field Championships--Men's 5K Final

Lagat said after the race: "Today was the most important race of the weekend. I’m really happy, I’m excited." Photo: PhotoRun.net

USA Track & Field Championships--Men's 5K Final

Fourteen men took to the starting line for the men's 5,000-meter final on Friday night. Photo: PhotoRun.net