2016 Festival of MilesJun 1, 2016 by Meg Bellino
Top 4 Events to Watch at the Festival of Miles
Top 4 Events to Watch at the Festival of Miles
The Festival of Miles in St. Louis will be a short, but oh so sweet evening of fast races at St. Louis University High School.You can watch LIVE on FloTrack
The Festival of Miles in St. Louis will be a short, but oh so sweet evening of fast races at St. Louis University High School.
You can watch LIVE on FloTrack starting at 6:30PM CT on Thursday, June 2.
The best milers and 800m runners from across the U.S. will clash for bragging rights and a chance to etch their names in history. Don’t believe me? Last year’s professional mile saw Grant Fisher become the seventh prep runner to break four minutes.
Check out the fields assembled for 2016:
PROFESSIONAL
When: 8:50PM CT
Why: The event has produced 19 sub-four minute miles since 2009, including Fisher’s historic run in 2015. Event record-holder Jordan McNamara is no stranger to the meet and will look for his third consecutive Festival of Miles win. He opened up his 1500m campaign this year with a 3:38.26 section victory at the Hoka One One Middle Distance Classic—his fastest opener since 2012. Cristian Soratos will aim for his first pro win since bursting onto the scene last season at Montana State. His season best of 3:40 was only good enough for 11th at the Ostrava Golden Spike Challenge, but it’s a step in the right direction and only a fraction off his PB.
When: 8:30PM CT
Why: Since adding a professional women’s 800m in 2011, this Festival of Miles race keeps getting faster. LaTavia Thomas’ 2:00.99 meet record from last year will be the target as Lea Wallace (2:00), Helen Crofts (2:01), Megan Malasarte (2:02) and Rebecca Tracy (2:04/4:09) battle with Thomas over two laps. Tracy has the slowest 800m PB but brings the 1500m strength. She most recently ran broke 4:10 for the first time with her 4:09.75 on May 20.
HIGH SCHOOL
When: 8:40PM CT
Why: Three high schoolers enter the field with 1600m PBs faster than 4:10. Last year’s champion, Jon Davis, ran 4:05 on May 6 and 8:51 earlier this season at Arcadia. Conor Lundy of Fordham Prep in New York ran 4:08 for the full mile this indoor season at the New Balance Games, and Georgia’s Frank Pittman ran a 4:08 1600m on April 30. All three will travel to St. Louis with the hopes of replicating 2014’s race, when seven studs broke 4:10.
Related: Jon Davis Overcomes Flu to Win State
4. Girls Championship Mile
Who: Stephanie Jenks, Cailie Logue, Anna West, Judy Pendergast
When: 8:20PM CT
Why: Iowa prep star and future Cal Bear Stephanie Jenks will attempt to win her fourth-straight Festival of Miles championship in this event. After winning last year in 4:47, can Jenks break her 4:46 meet record? Or better yet, will Anna West (4:45 1600m) and Cailie Logue (4:44 1600m) push Jenks closer to her 4:42 PR? Illinois’ Judy Pendergast could make waves—she ran a 10:07 3200m and took eighth at last fall’s Nike Cross Nationals.
CLICK HERE FOR A FULL LIST OF ENTRIES
All races from the Festival of Miles will be live-streamed and archived on FloTrack on Thursday, June 2.
You can watch LIVE on FloTrack starting at 6:30PM CT on Thursday, June 2.
The best milers and 800m runners from across the U.S. will clash for bragging rights and a chance to etch their names in history. Don’t believe me? Last year’s professional mile saw Grant Fisher become the seventh prep runner to break four minutes.
Check out the fields assembled for 2016:
PROFESSIONAL
1. Men’s Elite Mile
Who: Jordan McNamara, Cristian Soratos, Jake Hurysz, Frezer LegesseWhen: 8:50PM CT
Why: The event has produced 19 sub-four minute miles since 2009, including Fisher’s historic run in 2015. Event record-holder Jordan McNamara is no stranger to the meet and will look for his third consecutive Festival of Miles win. He opened up his 1500m campaign this year with a 3:38.26 section victory at the Hoka One One Middle Distance Classic—his fastest opener since 2012. Cristian Soratos will aim for his first pro win since bursting onto the scene last season at Montana State. His season best of 3:40 was only good enough for 11th at the Ostrava Golden Spike Challenge, but it’s a step in the right direction and only a fraction off his PB.
2. Women’s Elite 800m
Who: LaTavia Thomas, Lea Wallace, Helen Crofts, Megan Malasarte, Rebecca TracyWhen: 8:30PM CT
Why: Since adding a professional women’s 800m in 2011, this Festival of Miles race keeps getting faster. LaTavia Thomas’ 2:00.99 meet record from last year will be the target as Lea Wallace (2:00), Helen Crofts (2:01), Megan Malasarte (2:02) and Rebecca Tracy (2:04/4:09) battle with Thomas over two laps. Tracy has the slowest 800m PB but brings the 1500m strength. She most recently ran broke 4:10 for the first time with her 4:09.75 on May 20.
HIGH SCHOOL
3. Boys Championship Mile
Who: Jon Davis, Conor Lundy, Frank PittmanWhen: 8:40PM CT
Why: Three high schoolers enter the field with 1600m PBs faster than 4:10. Last year’s champion, Jon Davis, ran 4:05 on May 6 and 8:51 earlier this season at Arcadia. Conor Lundy of Fordham Prep in New York ran 4:08 for the full mile this indoor season at the New Balance Games, and Georgia’s Frank Pittman ran a 4:08 1600m on April 30. All three will travel to St. Louis with the hopes of replicating 2014’s race, when seven studs broke 4:10.
Related: Jon Davis Overcomes Flu to Win State
4. Girls Championship Mile
Who: Stephanie Jenks, Cailie Logue, Anna West, Judy PendergastWhen: 8:20PM CT
Why: Iowa prep star and future Cal Bear Stephanie Jenks will attempt to win her fourth-straight Festival of Miles championship in this event. After winning last year in 4:47, can Jenks break her 4:46 meet record? Or better yet, will Anna West (4:45 1600m) and Cailie Logue (4:44 1600m) push Jenks closer to her 4:42 PR? Illinois’ Judy Pendergast could make waves—she ran a 10:07 3200m and took eighth at last fall’s Nike Cross Nationals.
CLICK HERE FOR A FULL LIST OF ENTRIES
All races from the Festival of Miles will be live-streamed and archived on FloTrack on Thursday, June 2.