The British dominate the 5th Avenue Mile in New York City

September 13, 2021

British athlete Jake Wightman won the 2021 New Balance 5th Avenue Mile Sunday in New York City in the time of 3:49.6. The performance represents a new personal best for the 27-year-old. It was a great result considering his previous best of 3:52.02 was run on the track in London two years ago. Performance-wise it is close to his 1500m best of 3:29.47.

Australian Oliver Hoare finished less than a second back in second place in the time of 3:50.4, while Englishman Jake Heyward took third finishing close behind in the time of 3:50.4. Sam Prakel was the first American in fourth position in 3:50.5. Charles Philibert-Thiboutot was the first Canadian clocking a 3:54.

.@JakeSWightman wins the #NB5thAveMile pro men’s race!

That’s his 2nd win on 5th Avenue! pic.twitter.com/Uu5aB6u7x1
— New York Road Runners (@nyrr) September 12, 2021

Fourteen men finished under the four-minute benchmark with American Matthew Centrowitz the last to do so in the time of 3:57 — apparently, he raced to the half-mile prime and therefore couldn’t hang on. Centrowitz earned a gold medal during the 1500m event at the 2016 Rio Olympics. His career has lost a little luster since having not made the final in the 1500m event in Tokyo. This was a shock as was his alleged relationship with two-time American record holder Shelby Houlihan. It was brought to the fore when she tested positive for the anabolic steroid nandrolone. His best in the mile is 3:49.26 from July 2021.

The women’s race

The Scottish dominated the day with Jemma Reekie taking the women’s race in the time of 4:21.6. The Tokyo Olympian timed her finishing kick well. Considering her heavy race schedule, it would be difficult to bet the over/under on her being fatigued or sharp. By appearances, she may have had more in her.

American Nikki Hiltz took second in the time of 4:23.3, which is a new personal best performance, as was fellow American Shannon Osika’s performance as she took third in the time of 4:23.2.

The first Canadian was Kate Van Buskirk who is credited with third place in the online results, as Hiltz came out recently as transgender or as the results indicate, “non-binary”.

Van Buskirk clocked a 4:23.9 performance. She has been pacing Diamond League races since the Tokyo Olympics, which is probably great sharpening work without the fatigue of racing.

Nine women finished sub-4:30.

Results are available here>>

Elsewhere…

Kenya’s Agnes Tirop took 28 seconds off the long-standing women-only world record for 10km*, while Ethiopia’s Senbere Teferi set an outright world 5km record of 14:29* at the adizero Road To Records event in Herzogenaurach on Sunday (12).

Tirop, the world 10,000m bronze medallist, put in a decisive surge with little more than two kilometres to go in the 10km, breaking away from fellow Kenyan Sheila Chepkirui before eventually winning in 30:01.

Teferi, the 2015 world 5000m silver medallist, ran away from her opponents after the first kilometre with an incredible solo effort, winning the 5km in 14:29.

Read the entire World Athletics report here>>

Results from Vienna City Marathon

Results, Men:

1. Leonard Langat KEN 2:09:25

2. Betesfa Getahun ETH 2:09:42

3. Edwin Kosgei KEN 2:10:10

4. Kento Kikutani JPN 2:10:37

5. Samwel Kiptoo KEN 2:11:16

6. Tadesse Abraham SUI 2:12:26

7. Yuta Koyama JPN 2:17:20

8. Edwin Kangogo KEN 2:17:37

Women:

1. Vibian Chepkirui KEN 2:24:29