- published: 15 Dec 2015
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The 5000 metres (approximately 3.1 mi or 16,404 ft) is a popular running distance also known as 5 km or 5K ("five-K"). It is one of the track events in the Olympic Games and the World Championships in Athletics. "5000 metres" refers to racing on a track and "5K" usually refers to a roadrace or cross country event. While mainly run as an outdoor event, the 5000 m is sometimes run on an indoor track. Official records are kept for both outdoor and indoor 5000 m track events, but not for 5 km road races.
Much of the distance's popularity is due to the challenge it offers to both novices and accomplished professionals. It is a distance race that demands a great deal of aerobic endurance whilst speed is necessary. Tactics also play a key role, and the combination makes it attractive to many.
(Updated July 2011)
(Updated September 2011)
The first world record in the men's 5000 metres was recognized by the International Association of Athletics Federations in 1912.
As of June 21, 2009, 35 world records have been ratified by the IAAF in the event.
Peter Sagan (born January 26, 1990 in Žilina) is a Slovak professional road bicycle racer for UCI ProTour team Liquigas-Cannondale. Sagan had a successful junior mountain bike racing career, winning the Junior World Championship in 2008, before moving to road racing.
At the age of 22 Sagan is considered to be one of cycling's most promising talents, having won two stages at Paris–Nice, one at the Tour de Romandie, two and the overall classification at the Tour de Pologne, a record eight at the Tour of California, two at the Tour de Suisse, three at the Vuelta a España as well as the overall classification and three stages of the Giro di Sardegna.
Sagan is the youngest child among three brothers and a sister. He was brought up by his sister as his parents spent most of the day taking care of a small grocery shop they own in his hometown. His brother Juraj Sagan is a cyclist with Liquigas-Cannondale.
Sagan started to ride bikes at the age of nine when he joined Cyklistický spolok Žilina, a small local club in his home town. Throughout his junior age Sagan rode both mountain bikes and road bikes, and was well known for his unconventional style to ride in tennis shoes and t-shirts, drinking just pure water. Sagan drew a significant attention when he appeared at the Slovak Cup with a bicycle borrowed off his sister after he had mistakenly sold his own and the one from Velosprint sponsor was delayed. Riding the supermarket bike with poor brakes and limited gear, he won the race.