The date was May 1, 2010, the place Stanford and on the track running the race of his life was Chris Solinsky

“I just watched the video of this race again on Flo Track.  Wow, what an amazing race it was,” says Bob Anderson. On May 1, 2010, Chris Solinsky ran his first 10,000 meter race at the Payton Jordan Invitational in Stanford, California. Although the race was marketed as an American record attempt by fellow American Galen Rupp, Solinsky finished first and set the American Record of 26:59.60 (bettering Meb Keflezighi's 2001 mark of 27:13.98 by fourteen seconds).  His last 800 meters was timed at 1:56.  He looked so strong the entire race and passed Galen with a little more than two laps to go.  Galen faded to fourth but still clocked 27:10.  Solinsky was the first non-African to break the 27-minute barrier for the 10,000 meters.  At 6'1" and 165-pounds, Solinsky was also the first man over 6 feet or over 141 pounds to break the 27-minute barrier. Beginning in 2011, Solinsky suffered a series of injuries. He developed a chronic left hamstring strain, which became an avulsion after Solinsky tripped over his dog. The injury required surgery, making it impossible for him to compete in the 2012 US Olympic Trials. In 2015, Solinsky suffered from an injury to his Achilles tendon, which led to a calf problem which interfered with his ability to train for the 2016 US Olympic Trials. Solinsky chose to retire from professional running in April 2016.

posted Thursday May 3rd