By Elliott Denman | The Oregonian
BOSTON – Designated pacesetter Haron Lagat pulled the nine-man 3,000-meter field through a 1:01.7 opening 800, a 2:01.7 800, and a 2:34.3 kilometer with Rupp tucked back safely in fourth. Another “rabbit,” Solomon Kandie, soon followed Lagat on the sideline.
With two 200-meter circuits left, it was a Bekana Daba-Rupp two-man battle.
And soon it became clear that the Ethiopian was too strong for the Oregon collegian.
As coach Alberto Salazar shouted “change your frequency” instructions from the sidelines, Rupp tried to make stride adjustments, but nothing worked.
Daba went on to a convincing 7:41.88 victory with Rupp a not-close second in 7:44.69 with another Ethiopian, Markos Geneti, third in 7:46.74.
“I heard Alberto and I was trying to loosen up, to relax, anything,” said Rupp. “But Daba was just out there, too far, there was no reeling him in.”
Next up for Rupp is the 5,000 meters in Fayetteville, Arkansas, next weekend.
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