Ciattei, representing Under Armour Mission Run Dark Sky Distance, clocks 3:56.97 to eclipse 2017 mark of 3:59.96 in Des Moines achieved by Murphy; McArthur of Bandit Racing prevails in first road mile in 4:32.20, following U-20 national crown in 1,500 meters in 2018

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

Photos courtesy of Drake Relays

DES MOINES, Iowa – Vincent Ciattei captured his second crown in three years Tuesday at the USATF 1 Mile Championships and Rachel McArthur made an impactful road mile debut to secure her first national title as a professional athlete, following an Under-20 victory in the 1,500 meters six years ago, highlighting the annual Grand Blue Mile event in Des Moines, Iowa.

Ciattei, representing Under Armour Mission Run Dark Sky Distance, triumphed in a course-record 3 minutes, 56.97 seconds, leading three competitors to sub-4 performances, including Under Armour Mission Run Baltimore Distance teammates John Reniewicki (3:58.48) and Alec Basten (3:59.88).

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Ciattei just missed the recognized road mile world record of 3:56.13 produced by fellow American athlete Hobbs Kessler in October at the World Athletics Road Running Championships in Riga, Latvia.

Ciattei also joined David Torrence (2009-11), Garrett Heath (2013 and 2015), and Sam Prakel (2020 and 2023) in capturing multiple national road mile championships.

Ciattei, who prevailed in 4:03.20 in 2022 and took third last year in 4:02.91, along with Reniewicki and Basten – a former Drake standout – benefited from a 1:57.71 split at the midway point Tuesday to all run faster than the previous all-time effort in Des Moines of 3:59.96 in 2017 by Clayton Murphy.

McArthur, representing Bandit Racing, triumphed in 4:32.20, with adidas athlete Anna Camp-Bennett placing runner-up in 4:33.67 and PUMA professional competitor Micaela DeGenero taking third in 4:34.20.

McArthur produced a strong surge in the final 500 meters after the race came through the halfway point in 2:16.69 to become the first competitor to win the women’s title in her road mile championship debut since Nikki Hiltz in 2019.

DeGenero elevated from a ninth-place finish last year, with Northern Iowa coach Alex Teubel placing fourth in 4:34.52, following a sixth-place effort last season and a third-place performance in 2022.

McArthur, who recovered from surgery on her right Achilles’ in January to repair Haglund’s Deformity, opened her season Friday with a victory in the 1,500 in a personal-best 4:07.28 at the Wake Forest Invitational.

DeGenero and McArthur finished first and fourth, respectively, in the mile as Colorado teammates at the 2022 NCAA Division 1 indoor final by clocking 4:33.92 and 4:35.66 in Alabama.

McArthur triumphed in 4:25.70 in the 1,500 in the 2018 USATF U-20 final in Bloomington, Ind.

Angelina Ellis from Under Armour Mission Run Dark Sky Distance placed fifth in her road mile debut in 4:35.31, Anna Gibson of Brooks secured sixth in 4:36.12, Emma Grace Hurley from Heartland Track Club finished seventh in 4:36.78, early leader Annie Frisbie of PUMA and Minnesota Distance Elite earned eighth in 4:36.90, Allie Wilson of Heartland Track Club grabbed ninth in 4:39.44 and Oiselle athlete Melissa Tanaka achieved 10th in 4:41.78.

Abraham Alvarado helped Under Armour athletes take the top four spots and five of the top six overall, as the Dark Sky Distance competitor clocked 4:00.29 to finish fourth. Ben Veatch, also representing Dark Sky Distance, secured sixth in 4:02.90. 

Macauley Franks of Club Northwest placed fifth in 4:02.16, Shane Streich from Atlanta Track Club Elite took seventh in 4:03.30, Illinois State coach Jake Gillum was eighth in 4:03.73, Big Bear’s Caleb Webb captured ninth in 4:04.96, with former UC Santa Barbara standout Nick Randazzo grabbing 10th in 4:07.32.

Ciattei and McArthur both received $5,000 in prize money, along with commemorative Drake Relays watches. They are both scheduled to race again Saturday in the elite 1,500 competitions as part of the 114th edition of America’s Athletic Classic at the Blue Oval at Jim Duncan Track inside Drake Stadium.