Yared Nuguse and Gracie Morris powered their way to dominant wins in wet conditions at the Fifth Avenue Mile on Sunday in New York City, with an American sweep in both races.
The fields for both races were a stacked mix of runners who were likely ending their seasons in New York, with the attention of the sport shifting to Tokyo for world championships next week.
Prior to the race, Nuguse was clear that he wanted to end his season with a win and soared to the line in 3:47.7 in his debut at the race. The mark was shy of Josh Kerr’s event record of 3:44.3 from last year but Nuguse found room to separate from the pack in the closing stages to get the victory.
“I love the energy, there were so many people throughout the entire course,” Nuguse told media post-race. “I felt [that push] when Parker came on my side, around 200m to 100m to go–at that point, I was like ‘we have to do it now, this is it, this is the move.’”
Parker Wolfe took second in 3:48.1 and Drew Hunter finished third in 3:48.1 in a race where Nuguse, Hobbs Kessler, Parker Wolfe, Josh Hoey and Nick Griggs all flirted with the lead in the early stages.
For Nuguse, the win on Sunday closes his campaign out on a high note. But after not qualifying to Team USA’s roster in Tokyo during the USA Track and Field Outdoor Championships last month in Eugene, the pressure to grab a wild card in the 1,500m at the Diamond League finale in Zurich loomed heavily. A seventh place finish dashed his Tokyo hopes, but success in his Fifth Avenue debut ends the season with a highlight.
In the women’s race Morris navigated through a loaded group that included defending champion Karissa Schweizer. But Morris pushed the pace with 400m left and opened a gap as she cruised to the win in 4:15.5.
Kayley Delay finished second in 4:17.4 while Karissa Schweizer took third in 4:17.6 in her return to New York.
Morris’ win on Sunday was a huge upgrade over her fourth place finish from last year’s race. She entered the race riding high on a pair of wins in the mile in August at the Sir Walter Mile and Guardian Mile and admitted that she was in the midst of one of her best seasons.
Her late kick was crucial to get some distance away from Delay, Schweizer and several others who had enough powered to take the race.
“I knew there’s some sneaky people back there — like Krissy Gear,” she said. “I know I can’t let up because she can come out of nowhere.”
Professional Men
1. Yared Nuguse – 3:47.7
2. Parker Wolfe – 3:48.1
3. Drew Hunter – 3:48.1
4. Nick Griggs – 3:48.4
5. Festus Lagat – 3:48.4
6. Amon Kemboi – 3:49.1
7. Duncan Hamilton – 3:49.2
8. Cooper Teare – 3:49.3
9. Sam Prakel – 3:49.5
10. Hobbs Kessler – 3:49.6
11. Eric Holt – 3:50.8
12. Flavien Szot – 3:51.2
13. Josh Hoey – 3:51.9
14. Stewart McSweyn – 3:52.2
15. Waleed Suliman – 3:52.4
16. Brannon Kidder – 3:52.7
17. Kasey Knevelbaard – 3:52.9
18. Thomas Keen – 3:53.2
19. Evan Jager – 3:54.9
20. Henry McLuckie – 3:55.5
Professional Women
1. Gracie Morris – 4:15.5
2. Kayley Delay – 4:17.4
3. Karissa Schweizer – 4:17.6
4. Eleanor Fulton – 4:18.9
5. Laurie Barton – 4:20.6
6. Lindsey Butler -4:20.9
7. Raevyn Rogers – 4:22.2
8. Dani Jones – 4:22.5
9. Rachel McArthur – 4:22.7
10. Ella Donaghu – 4:23.1
11. Emily Richards – 4:23.9
12. Katelyn Tuohy – 4:24.5
13. Gabbi Jennings – 4:25.2
14. Val Constien – 4:25.3
15. Alex Millard – 4:25.5
16. Krissy Gear – 4:26.4
17. Olivia Markezich – 4:26.6
18. Alex Carlson – 4:29.5
19. Courtney Wayment – 4:29.5
20. Allie Wilson – 4:31.3
