Annual Gazelle Sports/Adidas Elite Mile Race rescheduled for Jan. 31
Premier high school distance event will see up-and-coming elite runners toe the line
Gazelle Sports and Adidas will be hosting the fourth annual Elite Mile race at GVSU in Allendale, Mich. at 5:00 p.m. on January 31. In 4 short years, this race has quickly become one of the premier high school distance events in the country.
Race organizer, Ted Kushion of Gazelle Sports, attributes the success to the passion Michigan has for distance running.
“The event just has a great energy because so many people in this state are passionate about running," Kushion said. “We don't have a $100K plus budget like the Brooks PR Invite in Seattle or New Balance Nationals, but we have an amazing facility, some of the best high school talent in the country and incredibly passionate fans. That's a recipe for success."
The talent Kushion references is beginning to garner some attention nationally. Three-time Olympian and Rockford, Mich. native Dathan Ritzenhein has also taken notice since his return to the mitten state.
“High school running in Michigan is at an all-time high," Ritzenhein said. “I am very impressed with the depth we have in this state and can't wait to see what our young runners can do this winter and spring."
On the men's side, Grant Fisher is the favorite, coming in with a mile personal record (PR) of 4 minutes, 2 seconds. This will be his first competition back since capturing his second straight Foot Locker National Championship in cross country. Typically, Fisher isn't focused as much on time as he is executing a race strategy and winning. That said, all eyes are sure to be on the clock as this distance prodigy seems destined to be the next sub-four-minute high school miler.
Despite being the clear favorite, Fisher will have to work if he wants to win this one. Mid-distance speedsters Donovan Brazier, the 2014 800-meter NB Outdoor National Champ, and Logan Wetzel, second behind Donovan at Nationals, will also toe the line. Both Brazier and Wetzel are capable of pushing an uncomfortable pace at the start and can close with the best of them.
In the women's race, Audrey Belf will be looking for her second Gazelle Sports Elite Mile victory in a row. Belf's 4:45.0 at the Adidas Grand Prix last June was good enough for fifth place in a tight race. One month later, Belf won the 5K at the USATF Junior Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon at historic Hayward Field. Belf will be chased by a handful of other sub-5-minute milers who are poised to take that next step onto the national stage.
This year's Elite Mile will take place at the beginning of the GVSU Quad Meet, a collegiate scored track meet between GVSU, St. Joseph's College and Lewis University. Earlier in the day, GVSU will host the UofM/MSU Dual meet.
Come check out a great afternoon of track and field Saturday, January 31at the GVSU Kelly Sports Complex. For more information visit gazellesports.com/wp/elite-meet/.
Boys
Grant Fisher (4:00.62)
Logan Wetzel (4:13.23)
Anthony Berry (4:12.64)
Lucas Arrivo (4:13.76)
Donovan Brazier (4:15.25)
Luke Anderson (4:13.95)
Kennan Rebera (4:17.89)
Drake Gauthier (4:18.61 - this indoor season)
Keenan Jones (4:24.31)
Parker Eisengruber (4:24.74)
Jason Ferrante (4:27.34)
Nathan Mylenek (4:27.92)
Conor Naughton (4:28.13)
Ben Yagiela (4:28.15)
Bradley Mallory (4:28.73)
Zac Benham (4:30.39)
Girls
Audrey Belf (4:43.72)
Rachel DaDamio (4:51.15)
Karrigan Smith (4:51.53)
Lexa Barrot (4:57.10)
Lainey Studebaker (4:58.88)
Kenzie Weiler (4:59.38)
Sarah Kettel (5:01.46)
Rachel Bonner (5:01.58)
Kelli Jackson (5:05.65)
Emma Doorn (5:17.38)
Anne Forsyth (5:06.69 - this indoor season)
Tessa Fornani (5:08.08)
Allison Vroon (5:13.16 - this indoor season)
MileSplit will be on-site with race video coverage!