WSU hall of famer Bernard Lagat owns every American masters distance record from 1500 on up...

GOLD COAST, Australia—Washington State University hall of fame member and two-time Olympic 1500 meter medalist Bernard Lagat (left/photo courtesy James Templeton) set a new American masters (40+) record Sunday in finishing seventh at the Gold Coast Marathon Sunday morning.

The 44-year old shaved over five minutes from his debut marathon time of 2:17:20 set at last November’s New York City Marathon, crossing the line at 2:12:10.

While he set a huge personal best, the time was 40 seconds short of the Olympic Games qualifying standard of 2:11:30, which only two Americans currently have—Scott Fauble and Jared Ward, both on the basis of a top 10 finish at the Boston Marathon.

Since the Gold Coast Marathon was considered an IAAF Gold Label race, had Lagat finished fifth or higher, he would have been credited with an Olympic Games qualifying standard.

Despite missing the standard, Lagat was pleased overall with his performance.

In a text to publisher Paul Merca, he was especially happy that he ran a negative split, running 66:26 for the first half, and 65:44 over the second half, with his fastest 5k split 15:15 between 30 and 35 kilometers.

In breaking Men Keflezighi’s American masters record of 2:12:20 set at the 2016 US Olympic Trials marathon, Lagat now holds every American masters record from 1500 meters up to the marathon.

“I didn’t hit my goals of 2:11:30 or the top 5 finish, but I was equally successful at GCM,” he said.

“I thank everyone who helped, encouraged and supported me in whatever way to get here.”

Japan’s Yuta Shitara, the national record holder in this event at 2:06:11 set at last year’s Tokyo Marathon, took the win in 2:07:50 over Kenya’s Barnabas Kiptum (2:08:02), and New Zealand’s Zane Robertson’s national record of 2:08:19.

Over 6600 runners entered the Gold Coast Marathon, with 5769 finishing.

Complete results of the Gold Coast Marathon are available here.