Mekonnen dethrones Lagat in Wanamaker Mile

By Christopher Hunt
photos by Don Rich

NEW YORK – Twice Bernard Lagat tried to make a surge to extend his run at history. Twice Ethophia’s Deresse Mekonnen slammed the door the on  greatest miler in Millrose Games history.

Lagat made one last push in the stretch but Mekonnen had already taken his place in front and ended the eight-time champion’s run of victories in the Wanamaker mile in 3:58.58. Lagat finished in 3:59.01.

 “I expected that Lagat would win,” Mekonnen said. “If he did, I expected that I would make second. Lagat is a great guy. I would have been happy if he won too.”

The 23 year-old Mekonnen said afterward, through an interpreter, that he had been battling stomach problems for six months and only had three months of training before racing. Lagat, at 36, was going for his ninth Wan...