by Larry Eder
German Fernandez after breaking Jeff Nelson’s iconic 2 Mile HSR, at the Nike Outdoor 2 Mile, June 20, 2008, Photo by Victah Sailer/Photorun.net
Walt Murphy’s News and Results Service
(c)Copyright 2008-all rights reserved. May not be reprinted or retransmitted without permission
California’s German Fernandez ran 8:34.40 for 2-miles tonight at the Nike Outdoor Nationals to smash Jeff Nelson’s 29-year old National H.S. record of 8:36.3. He got another record en-route by running 7:59.38 for 3000-meters to break Galen Rupp’s previous mark of 8:03.67.
The video of the race can be viewed now at: http://track.flocasts.org/videos/coverage/view_video/234026/66551
top 8 finishers and Fernandez’s splits at: http://www.trackandfieldnews.com/display_article.php?id=23730
Jeff Nelson’s American record for two miles was considered sacrosanct, until German Fernandez did his double at CIF State meet, version 90. I remember watching Nelson
run the race on TV those twenty-nine years ago. It was quite impressive. The race did not bode well for Nelson, who was hit with many injuries and much bad luck.
Watching German on the Flo Track tape ( nice job, Flotrackkers!), it was fascinating to
see how strong German’s pace judgement is but also how long the other athletes stayed with him!
If we are not seeing a true group of young, tough American distance runners coming through the ranks, then I am in the middle of a dream. This is due to many things,
among them, the chance for elite preps to race, ability to get information, times,
stats, coaches who are in it for the long term, and the kids themselves. Juggling
school, pressure from parents and self to excel, attractions of the world today, it is amazing that we have the kids that we do, focusing on the sport.
Credit needs to be given to NSSF, dyestat, flotrack.com, the various sponsors (Nike, Reebok,adidas, New Balance, ASICS, PUMA), coaches and informed media, USATF. The process needs to continue and these exceptional kids need to be looked after and nurtured.
