The comeback continues for Eric van der Els. After missing 2023 entirely due to injury, Eric has run his 2nd personal best in 4 races this outdoor season after his 13:31 performance at the LA Grand Prix last Friday.
Eric and teammate Dan Schaffer set out on pace to run 13:25 (automatic qualifying time for the Olympic Trials next month), and through the opening 2k Eric was right on pace. Then he began to feel like he was laboring at that rhythm and he slowed. Dan continued to press forward, staying spot on 64.5 laps, passing the opening 2 miles in 8:36. Eric was a few ticks back in 8:40.
The both lost a bit of ground on the pace heading into the final K, and Eric was able to close hard, running nearly 2:00 for his final 800m to shave 5 seconds off his personal best and 6 seconds off his time from 3 weeks ago. Dan, running tough through the middle to stick with that 13:25 pace group, slowed slightly over the final kilometer to finish in 13:39, the 3rd fastest performance of his career and 2nd consecutive sub-13:40 performance.
As the duo closes in on the final stretch of racing before the Olympic Trials they are both hopeful for opportunities to improve their personal bests at both 1500m and 5000m. Eric 1500m PR from earlier this spring is 3:41 while Dan has run 3:39 for 1500m and 13:36 for 5000m. Stay tuned for updated racing information!
You can find the full results from the LA Grand Prix here, Eric and Dan both competed the Friday night 5000m B race.