Several world-class middle distance runners took to the streets of New York this Sunday, September 10 for the prestigious 5th Avenue Mile, one of the last races of the summer season. The British Josh Kerr (3’47″90) and Jemma Reekie (4’19″40) won while Azeddine Habz placed fifth.
If American sports news is monopolized by tennis this Sunday with the grand final at the US Open 2023 between Daniil Medvedev and Novak Djokovic, running was also at the party. 5th Avenue in New York, the most chic and famous artery of the Big Apple which combines luxury boutiques and famous monuments, makes you want to spend more time on your credit card for a shopping trip than to heat up the asphalt in search of peak performance. But the tarmac magicians of course favored the second option and measured themselves against the mythical distance of 1,609 km, since it was here that the “5th Avenue Mile” event which was created in 1981 took place this Sunday .
The British have once again ruled the roost after the successes last year of Laura Muir, Olympic vice-champion in the 1500m in Tokyo, in 4’14″80 (event record), and her compatriot Jake Wightman, world champion in the 1500m in Eugene, in 3’49″60. Under continuous rain, it nevertheless went quickly since the fifth of the World Championships in Budapest over 800 m, Jemma Reekie, triumphed for the second time after his victory in 2021 (4’21″60), with a time of 4’19″40. The Irishwoman Sarah Healy (4’20″00) and another British woman, Melissa Courtney-Bryant (4’20″06), complete the podium.
A few moments later, the 1500m world champion in Budapest, before Jakob Ingebrigtsen, Josh Kerr, for his second participation in the event (10th in 3’52 in 2022), raised his hands first in the time of 3’47″90. The 25-year-old Briton came very close to seizing the course record which was owned by Sydney Maree during the inaugural edition in 1981, with a time of 3’47″52. Second place for his compatriot George Mills (3’49″90) and third place for the New Zealander George Beamish (3’50″00). Fifth place goes to Azeddine Habz, the only Frenchman in the running, in 3’50″50, who has long been in the fight for victory. His American adventure will continue next weekend with the final of the Diamond League over 1500 m in Eugene (Oregon). On the track, the current reference marks for the Mile are held by the Moroccan Hicham El Guerrouj (3’43″13 on July 7, 1999 in Rome) and by the Kenyan Faith Kipyegon (4’07″64 on July 21, 2023 in Monaco ).
All the results of the 5th Avenue Mile 2023, in clicking here.
Photo credit : Julie Fuster / STADIUM
2023-09-10 17:37:52
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