RIETI, Italy--It was a week later than he wanted, but reigning IAAF world indoor champion and Washington State University graduate Bernard Lagat (left/photo by Paul Merca) finally took down Bob Kennedy's 1998 American record of 7:30.84 in the 3000 meter run at the Rieti 2010 meeting Sunday afternoon.

Tariku Bekele from Ethiopia improved his own world seasonal best, set in last week's ISTAF meet in Berlin for 3000m from 7:28.99 set in Berlin last week to 7:28.70 holding off Lagat who smashed the American record dipping under 7:30 for the first time in his career with 7:29.00. Edwin Soi from Kenya also went under 7:30 finishing third in 7:29.75 in another great race for depth with John Kipkoech, fourth in 7:32.72 and the Oregon Track Club/Portland's Chris Solinsky, fifth in 7:34.32.

On his Twitter page, Lagat wrote after the meet, "Today was a productive day at the office. Love it when I can check things off my 'to do' list."