Past Yakima Mile champions Prakel, DeLay do it again
Sixth edition draws event record 2,000 entrants; $39,200 overall prize purse awarded
By Scott Spruill, Special to the Yakima Herald-Republic with BBTM support
YAKIMA, Wash. - Sam Prakel remains the undisputed king of Yakima Avenue, Kayley DeLay can claim some hefty ownership as well, Jonas Price grew up on these streets.
Familiarity won the day at the 6th edition of the Yakima Mile.
With mercifully cooler temperatures engulfing downtown after sunset Saturday, Prakel made it 3-for-3 in Yakima, having won here in 2021 followed by a course-record victory in 2022, and just missed taking down that record with a late burst that carried him to a narrow win in 3 minutes, 52.02 seconds, followed closely by Lucas Bons from Provo, Utah and Canadian Aaron Ahls in 3:53.07 and 3:53.53.
“I missed coming here the last couple years because it overlapped with some track races I was trying to hit,” said the Seattle-based, 30-year-old who runs for adidas. “I got lucky this year and was glad to come back because Yakima does a great job with this event. It’s definitely a highlight.”
And a decent payday of $5000, although he just missed an extra $6000 bonus that comes with a course record. His 3:50.5 from three years ago remains intact while Saturday’s time is the event’s third-fastest ever.
“There were a lot of guys with me with a quarter-mile left and I know the buildings and landmarks now pretty well,” said Prakel, who competed in the 1500 at the World Indoor Championships in China last winter. “My speed workouts have been going better than ever lately so I felt good to go at the end. With about two blocks left (crossing First Street), that was the time for the top gear.”
A year ago, DeLay was a complete unknown as a Miler.
One visit to Yakima changed all that. And her return on Saturday confirmed it.
Leading from the start, the former steeplechaser from Yale stormed to victory in 4:23.62, earning $5000 as an additional celebration for turning 26 on Saturday. Jenn Randall from Eugene, Oregon was runner-up in 4:28.69.
Last year, DeLay stunned the field not only with the victory but with nearly breaking Nikki Hiltz’s course record of 4:21.5.
While a return visit was always on the radar, it wasn’t so easy.
“I did shock myself last year and I definitely wanted to come back, but I broke my arm in a biking accident a couple months ago, had to have surgery, and missed quite a bit of time,” said DeLay, who competed in last year’s Olympic Trials in the steeplechase. “That changed up my schedule and actually made a good opening for this, so I’m glad about that.”
Continue reading at: yakimaherald.com
6th Yakima Mile presented by Home2 Suites / Tru by Hilton - Yakima Airport
BBTM Featured Event
Yakima, WA, Saturday evening, June 7, 2025
MEN
1) Sam Prakel (WA), 3:53, $5000
2) Lucas Bons (UT), 3:54, $2500
3) Aaron Ahl (CAN), 3:54, $2000
4) Carter Cutting (OR), 3:56, $1000
5) Henry McLuckie (GBR), 3:56, $750
6) Jonas Price (WA), 3:58, $500
7) Clayton VanDyke (UT), 4:00, $250
8) Brennen Benson (UT), 4:00, $200
9) Macauley Franks (WA), 4:00
10) Trey Gannon (OR), 4:01
WOMEN
1) Kayley DeLay (WA), 4:24, $5000
2) Jenn Randall (OR), 4:29, $2500
3) Taryn Rawlings (AZ), 4:30, $2000
4) Annika Reiss (WA), 4:32, $1000
5) Allie Ostrander (CO), 4:32, $750
6) Cailee Peterson (MN), 4:33, $500
7) Julia Hawkins (CAN), 4:39, $250
8) Josephine Welin (WA), 4:43, $200
9) McKenna Ramsay (OR), 4:44
10) Megan Wagenaar (CAN), 4:44
Complete race results HERE.
CREDIT: Evan Abell / Yakima Herald-Republic
