Fast Times and Festive Atmosphere Define First-Year Event

By Scott Bush

A perfect evening for a mile race led to some very fast times at the HOKA ONE ONE Long Island Mile Wednesday evening. After a series of community mile races and a little kids 400 meters, the pros lined up in men’s and women’s races, with strong prize money up for grabs and fans crowding the outer lanes of the track.

From the start of the women’s elite mile, the pace was fast, but rabbit Rachel Schneider couldn’t keep the field at her pace. While the early couple laps were strong, it took a furious finish for the top finishers to challenge the 4:30 mile barrier they were hoping to break.

Once Schneider finished her pacing duties, Kerri Gallagher, fresh off her semi-final performance at the IAAF World Outdoor Championships took over. With two laps to go, Gallagher, Heather Kampf and Amanda Eccelston pulled ahead of then leader Heather Wilson.

With a lap to go, Gallagher and Eccelston started to take over the lead from Kampf. Into the final 150 meters, Gallagher and Eccelston had clearly pulled away and were charging home. It wasn’t until the final 50 meters, when Eccelston ran away from Kampf, taking home a mighty win.

Eccelston ran one of her finest races of the 2015 season, breaking the 4:30 barrier and taking home a 4:29.99 best. Gallagher was able to hold off Kampf over the final strides to place second in 4:30.24, while Kampf ran third in 4:30.37. Nike Oregon Project’s Treniere Moser finished fourth in 4:33.43, while Wilson closed well for fifth in 4:33.86.

Rounding out the evening of racing, the men’s elite mile got out fast, with race director Kyle Merber leading the charge behind the rabbit. With two laps to go, Merber, Garrett Heath and David Torrence broke away from the rest of the field.

With 400 meters to go, Heath and Torrence passed Merber, solidifying themselves as top two as Merber slid backwards. It looked as though Heath would hold on coming off the final turn, but as the finish lined neared, Torrence pulled past Heath, pulling away for the big win.

Torrence finished in 3:53.91, while Heath held on for second in 3:54.51, finishing with the #14 and #15 best time in the world in 2015. Torrence also go revenge on Heath, who beat him for fourth at the USATF Outdoor Championships in the 5,000m.

Merber placed a respectable third in 3:58.38, holding on just enough to keep new pro Cristian Soratos in fourth with a 3:58.70, while Heath’s Brooks Beast teammate Riley Masters placed fifth in 3:59.64.

Women’s Top Five Finishers

4:29.99 – Amanda Eccleston (Brooks)
4:30.24 – Kerri Gallagher (Oiselle/NYAC)
4:30.37 – Heather Kampf (Asics)
4:33.43 – Treniere Moser (Nike)
4:33.86 – Heather Wilson (Hoke One One)

Men’s Top Five Finishers

3:53.91 – David Torrence (Hoka One One)
3:54.51 – Garrett Heath (Brooks)
3:58.38 – Kyle Merber (Hoka One One)
3:58.70 – Cristian Soratos (adidas)
3:59.64 – Riley Masters (Brooks)