# @pdxtrack on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/CQrHYgEnDVP
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/16383141-pdxtrack-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/thumbnails/d9d44b8a44.jpg
- **Posted:** 2021-06-28T18:19:38.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Portland Track (@pdxtrack) — https://gondola.cc/pdxtrack

## Caption

The line it is drawn. The curse it is cast

The reigning Olympic Champion got himself into perfect position in the front, on the pole, controlling the race into the final lap- a move perfected by Sir Mo Farah in his heyday and then added to the quiver of Centro, himself. The field bunched behind him, the champ let’s on no sign of stress as he sits on a land mine with full confidence in his ability to diffuse it, holding the line to 200m to go, fending off attacks around the bend and injecting a final deadly burst down the homestretch. Masterfully executing every move, the savviest tactician on the planet occupied the prime position for success at every point in the race, setting himself up for a gap on the field worthy of celebration antics, probably easing up at the line to stare convincingly up into the stands at those who both believed and doubted, closing the final circuit in 52 seconds to round out a 3:35. If the race was a DDR foot pad, it would have lit up all greens. The Collegiate record holder, Yared Neguse closed behind him and the 2019 US Champion Craig Engels chased. The strategy, execution, talent level of the field and ruthless precision by which he dispatched with them dictate that this is one of the greatest victories in one of the greatest American miler’s storied career.
 
But that’s not exactly what happened.
 
As the champ made his burst onto the homestretch, running clear of the field, energy was building behind him on the curve. The shifting of bodies opened a window in the pack, releasing a 19-year-old Oregon freshman like he was shot out of a cannon. There was no wind-up, no measurement of speed or calculation of ground to make up, just an explosion of raw power careening down the straight to overtake the Olympic Champion. What happened does not compute. The numbers don’t make sense. Cole Hocker broke brains and left people cross-eyed last night. Fans left Tomorrowland Hayward Field with their hair smoking, dazed and walking into the future.
 
We’re in a new world. Time to learn the language and the customs. 

From tracklandia 

📷: howlaophotography 

#Tracklandia
#TheTrials

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## Tags

thetrials, tracklandia

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