© Copyright – 2016 – Athletics Illustrated
Toronto’s Justyn Knight won the 5,000-metre race in the Stumptown Twilight High Performance meet tonight in Portland, Oregon.
“I felt great,” shared the 19-year-old.
Knight ran to a new personal best time of 13:26.36, narrowly missing the Canadian Rio Olympic standard of 13:25.00. His previous best was from May of this year run during the Payton Jordan Invitational track meet in Palo Alto, California where he finished in the time of 13:27.43.
Knight, who attends Syracuse University bettered Olympian Galen Rupp, who won silver in the 2012 London Olympic Games in the 10,000-metre event and finished seventh in the 5,000-metres. He owns a 5,000-metre best of 12:58.90.
Knight told Athletics Illustrated, “The race went out 10 seconds slower than it should have, however, I was more impressed with the way I finished.”
Knight demonstrated maturity in his patience, but suggests he could have done more.
“[This race] was really important for my confidence, but it was kind of bitter sweet. On the one side I raced smart and was able to compete against some of the top guys in the world. But on the other hand once again, I was shy of getting Olympic standard. I feel that if I went earlier that I would’ve got it because I felt like I had more in the tank after.”
Woody Kincaid finished second in the time of 13:27.32, while Rupp finished third in the time of 13:27.34.
Fellow Canadian Luc Bruchet of Vancouver was also in the race. Bruchet eclipsed the Olympic standard two weeks ago by finishing the Portland Track Festival race in the time of 13:24.10. Tonight he finished ninth in the time of 13:35.57.
Knight has steadily improved in nearly every race since high school, racing well in the NCAA championships in indoors, over cross-country and in outdoor track.
“At the end of the day I am 19, so I’m going to enjoy this experience and be thankful for all I was able to accomplish so far.”
