Laros outleans Nuguse in thrilling Bowerman Mile
Record 13 men go sub-3:50 at the 50th Prefontaine Classic
From World Athletics with BBTM support
EUGENE, Ore. - For nearly four laps of the 25th Bowerman Mile at the 50th Prefontaine Classic on Saturday afternoon, it looked as though Yared Nuguse would become the first U.S. winner of the storied race since 2006. But the Paris Olympic 1500m bronze medalist was caught just before the line by a hard charging Niels Laros as the Dutch youngster, just 20, won by 0.01.
Nuguse had been followed closely by in-form Frenchman Azeddine Habz for most of the way. But just as Habz’s challenge faded in the closing stages, Laros broke free from the chase pack and came motoring down the home straight in lane 1 like a runaway train to catch Nuguse right at the line to win in a national record of 3:45.94, #7 all-time individual outdoors. The nipped Nuguse was runner-up in 3:45.95, followed by Habz (3:46.65, a national record) and reigning Olympic champion Cole Hocker (3:47.43, a PR) in a race where a record 13 men finished inside 3:50 (previous record, 11, twice).
“Winning this race meant even more to me than setting the national record,” Laros said. “Obviously, running a fast time gives me a lot of pride, but taking the win here, at this place, was what I’m most proud of.”
In addition, places 4-15 clocked the fastest times for their respective place in Mile history.
In the International Mile run earlier, recent North Carolina grad Ethan Strand won in 3:48.46, leading two other men under 3:50, Vince Ciattei (3:49.68) and Gary Martin (3:49.73). In 11th place was Owen Powell from Washington, who ended his high school career with his third sub-4 of the year, running 3:58.12.
The Bowerman Mile is traditionally the last event at the Prefontaine Classic, but this year, the women’s 1500 meters closed the golden edition headlined by 1500 and Mile world record holder Faith Kipyegon, and the finale did not disappoint. The three-time Olympic champion clicked off three consecutive 61-point 400s and cruised unchallenged to a world record time of 3:48.68, bettering her previous mark of 3:49.04. Overall, 11 women went sub-3:50.
