Karissa Schweizer breaks the finish line tape at the 5th Avenue Mile. She tied Laura Muir’s 2022 course record of 4:14.8 (Photo by Da Ping Luo for NYRR)
5th Avenue Mile

Soaring Down the Fastest 20 Blocks in The City

September 9, 2024
The 5th Avenue Mile is the yearly test of speed in New York City and Sunday's race did not disappoint, as Josh Kerr (3:44.3) broke the 43-year pro men’s course record and Karissa Schweizer (4:14.8) tied the pro women’s event record.

They were joined by over 8,800 adult runners and 1,000 youth runners who took on the fastest mile stretch in the city as part of 30 individual heats and speciality races.

For many of the professional runners at the race, a long season comes to an end following the Paris Olympics and conclusion of the Diamond League schedule. But for some local runners in the city, fall major marathon season comes into focus with Berlin, Chicago and New York on the horizon in the in the next two months.
With 30 race heats, the action at the 5th Avenue Mile was constant and fast-paced.  (Photo by Carla G. Torres for NYRR)
More than 8,000 adult runners and 1,000 youth runners lined up for a trip down the straight — and fast — course.  (Photo by Carla G. Torres for NYRR)
The start of the professional women’s race as Karissa Schweizer and Emily Mackay bolted ahead early to take the lead.  (Photo by Carla G. Torres for NYRR)
The professional men’s race was the final heat of the day after a morning of age group heats, specialty races and youth events. (Photo by Carla G. Torres for NYRR)
Just before the halfway point, the lead pack of professional women’s race stuck close together as the downhill portion approached. (Photo by Scott McDermott for NYRR)
Eric Holt darted to the front of the pack in the men’s professional race, holding off the group until the halfway point.  (Photo by Scott McDermott for NYRR)
The top finishers of the women’s professional race address the media as Karissa Schweizer surged ahead for the win (4:14.8) with Dorcas Ewoi (4:17.3), right, and Susan Ejore (4:19.0), left, taking second and third.  (Photo by Da Ping Luo for NYRR)
Youth events were part of the 30 heats on the schedule as several individual children’s race were staged before the specialty events.  (Photo by Carla G. Torres for NYRR)
Josh Kerr was victorious in the men’s professional race, breaking the course record in , well head of Sydney Maree’s record (3:47.5) when the event was first held in 1981.  (Photo by Da Ping Luo for NYRR)
The race is a yearly test of speed in the mile and a popular event for local run clubs.  (Photo by Carla G. Torres for NYRR)
Josh Kerr celebrates his win — and course record — in the men’s professional race, the final event of the day.  (Photo by Da Ping Luo for NYRR)
Karissa Schweizer takes a victory lap after her record tying win in the event.  (Photo by Da Ping Luo for NYRR)

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