Nate nails it! Brannen blazes to new Canadian 2000m record of 4:59.66

Nate Brannen became the first Canadian to crack 5 minutes for 2000m, setting a new national record of 4:59.66 at the York University Twilight Meet in Toronto on Tuesday night.

With the help of pacers for almost four of the five laps in the race, Brannen surpassed the previous mark of 5:01.57, held by Taylor Milne.

Averaging about 60 seconds per lap for the first 1600m, Brannen poured it on for a last lap of about 58 or 59 seconds to dip under the 5-minute barrier, according to track fan Lisa Bradley of Toronto who was at the meet.

Appearing fully mentally and physically recovered from a devastating fall in the 1500m semifinal of the 2012 Olympics in London, Brannen is coming into form for next month’s world championships in Russia.