The elite men’s and women’s fields of Sunday’s 5th Avenue Mile in New York City were announced on Tuesday, with 15 Olympians and 18 international medalists among a strong group that will join more than 8,600 participants set to lock in on their fastest mile.
A loaded men’s group will be headlined by Olli Hoare, who returns to the course after five years as he looks to upgrade his second place finish from 2021 in 3:50.3 when Jake Wightman narrowly edged past him in 3:49.5. Hoare will have plenty of competition as he lines up against Simon Koech, Leonard Bett, Adam Spencer, Stefan Nillessen and Cooper Teare.
“5th Avenue is as iconic as the city it runs through,” Hoare said. “Making my way down Museum Mile and soaking in the energy of the New York City crowd, I know that I am going to perform and enjoy the competition with such an elite field. Let’s rip.”
Jake Heyward, Drew Hunter, Marco Langon, Eric Holt, Luke Houser and Dylan Jacobs will also pull up for their shot at the title and all have made their case to not only take the win but also push the pace to challenge Josh Kerr’s 3:44.3 course record from 2024.
Meanwhile, the women’s race is far from a tale of who is the unanimous favorite even though Jemma Reekie returns on Sunday with plenty of experience tearing down 5th Avenue as she seeks a third title but will need to battle a stacked women’s group.
“As a two-time champion on 5th Avenue, I know what it takes to come out on top in this field of incredible runners,” Reekie said. “I’m thrilled to have another opportunity to race through the streets of New York and add a third win to my resumé.”
Reekie will face a women’s lineup that should make the last 400 meters interesting based on whoever decides that could be the moment to make their move. Courtney Frerichs, Melissa Courtney-Bryant, Susan Ejore-Sanders, Heather MacLean and Elise Cranny will all make sure they are all in the conversation of who will make a late dash to the line in a final kick.
Sunday’s pro races will be two of 30 trips down the line for local runners taking part in age group, youth or specialty event on the schedule.
Men’s Elite Field
Ben Allen (USA) – 3:52.08 / 3:33.97
Jack Anstey (Australia) – 3:51.51i / 3:33.36
Leonard Bett (Kenya) – NA / 3:43.79
Davis Bove (USA) – 3:51.08i / 3:33.49
Jake Heyward (Great Britain) – 3:46.73 / 3:31.08
Olli Hoare (Australia) – 3:47.28 / 3:29.41
Eric Holt (USA) – 3:51.46 / 3:32.95
Luke Houser (USA) – 3:51.14 / 3:33.93
Drew Hunter (USA) – 3:51.72 / 3:33.41
Dylan Jacobs (USA) – 3:56.10 / 3:36.10
Brannon Kidder (USA) – 3:53.09i / 3:33.47
Simon Koech (Kenya) – NA / NA
Marco Langon (USA) – 3:54.59 / 3:32.69
Titouan Le Grix (France) – 3:51.90i / 3:31.46
Foster Malleck (Canada) – 3:51.39 / 3:32.78
Gary Martin (USA) – 3:48.76 / 3:32.03
Romain Mornet (France) – 3:54.68i / 3:31.62
Stefan Nillessen (Netherlands) – 3:49.02 / 3:29.23 NR
Sam Prakel (USA) – 3:49.63 / 3:32.76
John Reniewicki (USA) – 3:51.72i / 3:33.58
Aidan Ryan (USA) – 3:53.62i / 3:35.39
Keita Sato (Japan) – NA / 3:37.18 NJR
Pieter Sisk (Belgium) – 3:50.31i / 3:31.85
Adam Spencer (Australia) – 3:49.21 / 3:31.81
Flavien Szot (France) – 3:52.67i / 3:30.74
Cooper Teare (USA) – 3:50.17i / 3:32.16
Abel Teffra (USA) – 3:51.13 / 3:33.84
Women’s Elite Field
Josette Andrews (USA) – 4:20.81i / 3:59.72
Margot Appleton (USA) – 4:22.94i / 4:04.72
Ellie Baker (Great Britain) – NA / 4:03.95
Lindsey Butler (USA) – 4:24.18 / 4:02.29
Sarah Calvert (Great Britain) – 4:27.30 / 4:02.25
Bérénice Cleyet-Merle (Frane) – 4:26.06 / 4:03.58
Melissa Courtney-Bryant (Great Britain) – 4:26.06 / 4:03.58
Elise Cranny (USA) – 4:16.47 / 3:57.87
Kayley DeLay (USA) – 4:23.77 / 4:04.64
Susan Ejore-Sanders (Kenya) – 4:20.61i / 3:56.07
Courtney Frerichs (USA) – 4:34.75 / 4:07.39
Jessica Kain (USA) – 4:47.55i / 4:03.11
Kimberley May (New Zealand) – 4:27.36 / 4:04.04
Heather MacLean (USA) – 4:17:01 / 3:57.79
Rachel McArthur (USA) – 4:23.98 / 4:02.90
Taryn Parks (USA) – 4:23.10i / 4:05.14
Laura Pellicoro (Italy) – 4:25.60i / 4:04.55
Simone Plourde (Canada) – 4:22.47i / 4:02.91
Jemma Reekie (Great Britain) – 4:17.88i NR / 3:58.65
Annika Reiss (USA) – 4:24.21 / 4:03.54
Emily Richards (USA) – 4:33.41 / 4:10.56
Teagan Schein-Becker (USA) – 4:30.29i / 4:04.91
Adelle Tracey (Jamaica) – 4:30.17i NR / 3:58.77 NR
