Some of Europe’s top men’s middle-distance runners will be in action Saturday, September 9. They will be chasing a European record at the Brasov Running Festival’s European Road Mile. The road mile became an official record event at the start of 2023
and the fastest European time on a record-legal course. The event dates back to 1975 when Sweden’s Ulf Hogberg ran 3:57.1 in London.
However, this could be within the grasp of the fastest man in the men’s field Andrew Coscoran, who reduced the Irish 1500m
record to 3:30.42 in July.

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Also looking to become Ireland’s first European record holder for more than 22 years. Sonia O’Sullivan having held the women’s
3000m record between 1994 and 2002 – will be Coscoran’s compatriot and Irish 5000m record holder Brian Fay, who ran a
3:52.03 mile indoors (on an oversized track). In January, Italy’s Mohad Abdikadar Sheik Ali, reduced his 1500m
personal best to 3:33.79 in Padova. On Sunday, will also be one to watch. Considerable interest will also be generated by the presence of
the Netherlands’ 20-year-old Stefan Nillessen, who won the European U23 1500m title last month.
In addition to a first prize of US$1000, there is a European record bonus of US$2000 on offer to the first man across the line.

Men’s elite entries 1500m

Andrew Coscoran (IRL) 3:30.42 NR / 3:53.64i
Mohad Abdikadar Sheik Ali (ITA) 3:33.79
Robin Van Riel (NED) 3:37.17
Giovanni Filippi (ITA) 3:37.50
Maximilian Feist (GER) 3:37.82
Brian Fay (IRL) 3:38.39 / 3:52.03i (oversized)
Sam Blake (AUS – guest) 3:38.43
Ibrahim Erata (TUR) 3:38.53
Garrett O’ Toole (USA- guest) 3:39.23
Stefan Nillessen (NED) 3:39.34
Yervand Mkrtchyan (ARM) 3:39.35 NR
Stephen Masindet (KEN – pace) 3:40.85v

In addition, there will be an international women’s race as part of the Brasov Running Festival, on Saturday evening.

“With the Road Mile becoming a recognised record event, we have deliberately constructed a fast, record-eligible course. Also, we
have brought many of Europe’s top middle-distance runners to Brasov because they want to write their name in the history
books,” commented Race Organiser Daniel Santa.

The European Road Mile will take place in the heart of Brasov, a historic and picturesque Transylvanian city that can date its
origins back to the 13th century. And is widely considered to have some of the most beautiful architecture in central Europe.
All the races at the Brasov Running Festival over the weekend of September, 9-10 2023 will take place against the backdrop of the
nearby towering Carpathian Mountains.

The Festival also features the Trunsylvania 10km – a World Athletics Elite Label Race and the only road race of this status in Romania –
on the Sunday.

The race made headlines around the world in 2022 with super-fast times. Kenyan Weldon Langat is determined to go one better than his second-place finish last year. The 26:55 runner has his target the course record of 26:51 set by his compatriot Nicolas Kimeli when winning in 2022.

Agnes Ngetich (KEN) finished sixth in the World Athletics Championships Budapest in the 10,000m event on Saturday night
in a personal best of 31:34.83. She heads the women’s contenders for the Trunsylvania 10km.

In addition to the Trunsylvania 10km and European Road Mile – the latter believed to be the first-ever road mile race in Romania. The Brasov Running Festival will engage and involve non-elite runners of all age groups and abilities.

On Saturday, Sept. 9 there are 800m, 1200m and 3000m children’s races while Sunday, Sept. 10 sees mass participation 5km and 10km races.

Further details of all the Brasov Running Festival races, including the Trunsylvania 10km and European Road Mile, can be found on
the event website: www.brasovrun.ro