Running Master the Half, Laura Muir and Jake Wightman claimed wins at the 5th Avenue Mile on Sunday. For Muir, it was a record-setting run, while Wightman continued his terrific 2022 with a repeat 5th Avenue title.
Muir breaks Jenny Simpson’s meet record
Muir, a Scottish middle-distance runner, won her first 5th Avenue Mile title with a new event record of 4:14.8, breaking the 4:16 standard set by eight-time champion Jenny Simpson Races & Places.
The victory caps a standout year for the 29-year-old, who captured the bronze medal in the 1500 meters at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene before winning gold in the event at both the Commonwealth Games and the European Championships.
Muir took control of the stacked race, which included her training partner and last year’s champion, Jemma Reekie, just before 800 meters, splitting 2:09 to capture the halfway bonus.
“This was the last race of my season and it was hard, but I kept thinking to myself 200, then 100 meters to go to get to the line,” Muir said. “I did all I could to leave it all out there.”
Nikki Hiltz capped a strong summer of domestic miles wins with runner-up honors in 4:17.4, and Eleanor Fulton, who works full-time and is unsponsored, had a big personal best to finish third in 4:18.0. Defending champion Reekie was fourth in 4:18.3.
World champ Jake Wightman is the class of the men’s field
Wightman made it two-for-two for the United Kingdom at the 5th Avenue Mile in defending his title in 3:49.6 over countryman Jake Heyward (3:49.9) and American Sam Prakel (3:50.4).
The win caps a huge year for Wightman, who captured the surprise victory in the World Athletics Championships 1500 in Eugene. This was Wightman’s third career win on 5th Avenue. He also won in 2018.
“I couldn’t have asked for it to go any better, to finish my season here at my favorite meet of the year,” Wightman said. “The chance for me to be able to celebrate the end of my season here in New York is fantastic.”
Johanna Gretschel is a freelance writer and broadcaster living in Austin, Texas, who has covered elite track and field and running in all its forms. She contributes to Runner’s World, ESPN, Austin American-Statesman, FloTrack, MileSplit, Women’s Running and Podium Runner. Yes, she has run a marathon!
