Two of the top American middle distance stars will meet Saturday afternoon for a stroll along Central Park. Except it won’t be a stroll. 

When Jenny Simpson and Mary Cain toed the line at the USATF Outdoor Track and Field Championships in the finals of the 1500m, Simpson was victorious, winning by almost 2 full seconds. But let’s not forget Cain’s 2014 indoor season, where she won a USATF indoor title and recorded several record-breaking performances. Now, Simpson holds a Diamond League title. Cain, a World Junior victory for 3000m.

They haven’t met since that race in June, but when the two best American middle distance runners of today meet on Saturday in New York City, it is guaranteed to be a great show.

The NYRR Fifth Avenue Mile takes place this Saturday afternoon and will be the cherry on top of the ice cream for most of these athletes, whose seasons are in the midst of winding down or ending on 5th Ave.

Brenda Martinez is fresh off a Diamond League 800m victory in Brussels, surprising favorites Eunice Sum and Ajee Wilson. She’s starting to show form that won her bronze at the 2013 World Championships, which makes her dangerous on 5th Ave. She won the road mile in 2012 and will challenge Simpson, who is going for her third Fifth Ave title.

Morgan Uceny and Heather Kampf have road mile wins to their name in 2014. Uceny took home the B.A.A. mile title in April, while Kampf is the reigning U.S. 1 Mile Road champion.

Can either of these players challenge Simpson or Cain? We’re not convinced. Perhaps someone from across the pond will push the pace. Great Britain’s Laura Weightman is coming off of a silver medal in the Commonwealth Games and bronze at the European Championships. Her fellow countrywoman Hannah England was the 2011 world silver medalist and returns for her sixth Fifth Ave appearance. It's been an American's race since 2008, but these women could be the ones to break the cycle.

Simpson’s winning time of 4:19.3 last year was one of the fastest marks since PattiSue Plumer's 1990 record of 4:16.68. By the looks of the performances these women put down this summer, we should see this record fall on Saturday. And why not? Simpson and Cain are looking to end their seasons on top and will be challenged by those looking for the same success, who will be the one to push the pace is the question.

There’s nothing like a stroll through Manhattan with 19 fast and fearless women.


Women’s Field 2014 NYRR Fifth Avenue Mile

Mary Cain, USA
Jenny Simpson, USA
Sarah Brown, USA
Brenda Martinez, USA
Sally Kipyego, KEN
Kate Van Buskirk, CAN
Ingvill Måkestad Bovim, NOR
Treniere Moser, USA
Violah Lagat, KEN
Morgan Uceny, USA
Heather Kampf, USA
Hannah England, GBR
Brie Felnagle, USA
Ciara Mageean, IRE
Justine Fedronic, FRA
Diane Cummins, CAN
Ashley Higginson, USA
Laura Weightman, GBR
Gesa Krause, GER