(12/02/2005)

Kenya’s Bernard Lagat has posted the third-fastest time in the history of the men's Mile at the Powered by Tyson Invitational, Randal Tyson Track Centre, Fayetteville.

The World Indoor 3000m champion was ahead of Hicham El Guerrouj's 1997 world record pace of 1:53.7 at 800m with 1:51.8, but could not erase the Moroccan World Indoor Mile record at the end.

Lagat cross the finish line in 3:49.89 and only the Morrocan world record holder El Guerrouj (3:48.45, 1997) and Ireland’s Eamonn Coghlan ( 3:49.78, 1983), were ahead of him in the all-time greatest list.

Lagat, the two-time Olympic medallist, told the media: "The pace was fast, and I wanted the guys to get out fast and that happened.

"It's tough (being so far ahead), because I need someone to push me. It was better in the last 2 laps.

"It's nice to have the fans support you and get behind you. I thought I would come here and attempt to break the record and why not after what I had done in Boston and New York."

"I might as well try while I'm felling good, because I can't go at this pace forever," he added.

Compatriot Laban Rotich did not finish the race.