Bernard Lagat runs world leader in the mile..

Washington State graduate Bernard Lagat (left/photo by Paul Merca) won his third straight indoor meet this season, clocking a 2009 world best in the mile in winning at the 20th Meeting Pas de Calais in Liévin, France.

In an event that's rarely run indoors on the European circuit, Lagat beat home country favorite Mehdi Baala who, remarkably, was making his debut at the distance, 3:51.34 to 3:52.51. That's the 9th fastest time ever posted indoors, a meet record, and the fastest in the world since Lagat's own American record 3:49.89 recorded in Fayetteville, Ark., in 2005. Baala's mark was a French indoor record.

Lagat's indoor season continues in Birmingham, England, on Feb. 21, where he'll run the 1500m, then conclude by running the 1500 at the USA Indoor Championships a week later in Boston.

Here's a link to a story written by Bob Ramsak of TRACK PROFILE Report on Lagat posted on media partner Trackshark.com.