August 8, 2025 – Raleigh, North Carolina – Gracie Morris took 5.29 seconds off her personal best while leading nine women under 4:30 with a winning time of 4:23.74 before Ky Robinson broke the North Carolina state record in 3:50.80 in front of a record-setting crowd on Friday night at the 2025 Sir Walter Miler at Meredith College.
It was a historic moment on the track as the women’s field kicked off the elite races. On her way to victory, Morris ran from the front and paced nine women under 4:30. All nine runners were Americans, an all-time record—besting the prior high of eight from the 2021 Miler. Nine runners also tied the record all-nationalities Sir Walter Miler total set at that same race.
“I don’t think I’ve been in the race that’s been this electric,” said Morris. “It definitely helps you push. It was a great field and I just tried to get to the front—I definitely run better when I’m up there, so I just started pushing probably 700 [meters] out and then at that point I was like, I’ve led most of it, I’m going to win it.”
Morris was joined on the podium by Rachel McArthur and Angel Piccirillo—racing her third Sir Walter Miler—in times of 4:23.98 and 4:25.13, respectively.
Lindsey Butler was the lone debutant breaking through with her first-ever sub 4:30 mile. In her second crack at Sir Walter, Butler broke through in a big way with a time of 4:25.85 to finish fifth overall.
“I am so glad I broke it here [at Sir Walter],” said Butler. “It was so special. So many people I had never even met before were so excited for me. It was a great experience. I love this race. I am so grateful to be here year two.”
In the men’s race, Robinson led a group of 11 men under four minutes. His time of 3:50.80 is the new fastest ever on North Carolina soil. Both Robinson and Olli Hoare (3:50.96) bested the previous mark of 3:51.89 set just a year ago at the 2024 Miler by Waleed Suliman.
“Coming down from the 5K and I get through halfway of the race and I realize there’s only two laps to go and I’m think, wow, this is great,” said Robinson. “There’s none of that hurt in the middle of a 5K where you really have to have to grind. With 600 meters to go, I want to get around—I wanted to be in first, that was kind of the goal. I realized that if I can hang on for all of that, I can win the race and thankfully, I was feeling good the whole way through and managed to get to win in front of the electric crowd.”
Sean McGorty joined Robinson and Hoare on the podium with a time of 3:52.39.
On the men’s side, Clayton VanDyke broke four for the first time with a finish of 3:59.37.
“It’s just been such a long journey for me,” said VanDyke. “I ran the four flat like three years ago, and I’ve just been like on the nine-to-five dreamer grind since. So, it’s like nice to finally come out here and get it done. I’m from the West Coast, so it’s a long travel trip, but made it all worth it tonight doing that.”
With nine women and 11 men breaking the 4:30 and 4:00 barriers, the Sir Walter Miler has now seen 49 women and 87 men under the respective barriers. Prior to the race’s inception in 2014, there had never been a sub 4:30 on North Carolina soil and had not been a sub-four mile since 1974.
The night’s festivities kicked off with the Run Club Mile in which Ian Johnson and Maddie Merna were the top man and woman with impressive times of 4:40.30 and 5:12.18, respectively. The Run Club 4x400m followed with Runologie taking the win in 4:08.73.
Sponsors of the 2025 Sir Walter Miler are Trail Ridge Financial, Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance, Think Promotional Group, ChicknLegs, LMNT, Arrow, Trophy Brewing, Athletic Brewing and adidas.
The Sir Walter Miler is directed and promoted by Sir Walter Running, a Raleigh-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to “bring the Greater Raleigh running community together through innovation, activation, and inclusivity.” Sir Walter Running is a USATF club that produces the Pop Up Miles series, the Raleigh RunDown Downhill Mile, the Raleigh (Holiday) Half Marathon, the Tour de Walter, and the Summer of Miles podcast.
Social Media: #SirWalterMiler | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube
Podcast: Summer of Miles
Women’s Elite Mile (Race Video on YouTube)
Gracie Morris – Puma / Puma Elite – 4:23.74 ($1850)
Rachel McArthur – ASICS – 4:23.98 ($1450)
Angel Piccirillo – Puma / Puma Elite – 4:25.13 ($1150)
Christina Aragon – Nike Swoosh TC – 4:25.30 ($850)
Lindsey Butler – 4:25.85* ($750)
Olivia Markezich – On Athletics Club – 4:26.82 ($300)
Sadie Engelhardt – New Balance – 4:27.13
Krissy Gear – HOKA – 4:28.94
Laurie Barton – Atlanta Track Club Elite – 4:29.65
Jess McGorty – Puma / Puma Elite – 4:30.90
Colleen Quigley – lululemon / Meridia – 4:32.94
Allie Wilson – Nike Swoosh TC – 4:39.17
Hannah Ballowe – adidas – 4:43.72
*First time sub-4:30
Men’s Elite Mile (Race Video on YouTube)
Ky Robinson – On Athletics Club – 3:50.80%^ ($4600)
Olli Hoare – On Athletics Club – 3:50.96 ($1700)
Sean McGorty – Nike Swoosh TC – 3:52.39 ($1400)
John Reniewicki – Under Armour – 3:52.81 ($1100)
Sam Prakel – adidas – 3:53.12 ($650)
Carson Williams – Furman Elite – 3:53.61 ($550)
Yasin Sado – ASICS – 3:53.80 ($250)
Mario Garcia Romo – On Athletics Club – 3:56.12
Eric Holt – Puma / Empite Elite – 3:57.63
Sam Gilman – Nike / WCAP – 3:59.15
Clayton VanDyke – ChicknLegs – 3:59.37* ($100)
Michael Spragley – ChicknLegs – 4:09.14
*First time sub-4:00
$Meet record
^State record
Photos: Joshua Dwight | John Nepolitan | Michael Delavore | John Ruggero
Finish photo courtesy of Jason Honeycutt
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