Jager Breaks American Record in Steeplechase
Now holds seven fastest U.S. times
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American Evan Jager, a runner based in Portland, Oregon, with the Bowerman Track Club, broke the national record for the 3,000-meter steeplechase on Saturday. His time of 8:00.45 was set at the Paris Diamond League, where he finished second to Kenyan Jairus Birech, according to the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAFF).
“I just couldn’t believe how fast I was running,” Jager told the IAAF. “I saw the clock said 7:41 with about 100 meters to go, and I thought, ‘I’m going to run an amazing time here.’”
Since transitioning to the event in 2012, the 26-year-old Illinois native has set and reset the American record in three of the past four years. He holds the seven fastest times for Americans and holds the second-fastest time in the world. In June, he ran 3:32.97 for 1,500 meters, becoming the 13th-fastest American ever for that distance.
