TheFinalSprint.com - Track & Field, Marathons, Racing News, Training Advice, Elite Athlete Blogs, Interviews, Podcasts, Videos and More! - TheFinalSprint.com is the Premier Destination for Track & Field, Marathon, Cross Country, Olympic and Road Racing Enthusiasts.

TFS to Expand Writing Staff and Internship Program

Whether you are a seasoned veteran, an aspiring journalist, or even just a knowledgeable fan looking for a profitable hobby, we want to hear from you! Click here to apply today!

Bowerman Mile features fast field at Pre Classic

Posted June 4th, 2007 at 7:30 AM by Martin Kennedy

Section: News & Results, Track & Field

prefontaine classic 2007 poster Four of the world’s top ten men’s milers will toe the line June 10 at the 2007 Prefontaine Classic at the University of Oregon’s historic Hayward Field in Eugene.

The fourth event of USA Track & Field’s 2007 Outdoor Visa Championship Series, the Prefontaine Classic will be televised live on NBC, Sunday, June 10, from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

The field includes nine runners with lifetime mile bests under 4-minutes, which could jeopardize the Hayward Field and Prefontaine Classic record of 3 minutes 49.92 seconds set six years ago by Hicham El Guerrouj.

Americans leading the way include two-time Olympic medalist and defending Bowerman Mile champion Bernard Lagat, who ended the 2006 season ranked #3 in the world in the 1,500/mile by Track & Field News. Two-time U.S. Outdoor champion and reigning national indoor titlist Alan Webb returns to The Bowerman Mile, where he ran a 3:53.43 at the 2001 Pre Classic to set the national high school record.

Webb’s performance bettered the previous standard set by National Track & Field Hall of Famer Jim Ryun 36 years earlier. Webb’s win at the Drake Relays on April 28 in 3:51.71 is the fastest mile time in the world this outdoor season. Another American to keep an eye on is 2006 U.S. Indoor mile champion Chris Lukezic.

A strong international contingent will be led by Kenyan Alex Kipchirchir, who won the Bowerman Mile in 2005, was the runner-up to Lagat last year in Eugene and ended the 2006 season ranked #1 in the world. Also watch for Kenyan Daniel Komen, who ran the fastest 1,500m time in the world last year of 3:29.02, and ended the season ranked #5 in the world. Fellow Kenyan Shadrack Korir, who posted 1,500m wins at Lausanne and Madrid last season, also could be a factor.

The entrants, with lifetime bests in the mile (*converted from 1500m):
Bernard Lagat 3:47.28
Alan Webb 3:48.92
Alex Kipchirchir (Kenya) 3:50.25
Daniel K. Komen (Kenya) 3:48.49
Shedrack Korir (Kenya) 3:49.0*
Chris Lukezic 3:50.3*
Kevin Sullivan (Canada) 3:48.7*
Nicholas Kemboi (Kenya) 3:50.9* (age 17!)
Eliud Kipchoge (Kenya) 3:50.40
Said Ahmed 3:53.3*
Rob Myers 3:52.1*
Ryan McKenzie (Canada) 3:56.7*

Tickets are available at the Casanova Center ticket office in Eugene by calling 1-800-WEBFOOT, or online at www.goducks.com. USATF welcomes you to pay with your Visa.

For more information on the 2007 Visa Championship Series, visit www.usatf.org. For more information on the Prefontaine Classic, please visit: www.preclassic.com.