Home Latest News Rowe and McSweyn Join the Mile Money Train

Rowe and McSweyn Join the Mile Money Train

September 7, 2017

The big names are continuing to role in for next week’s Lottoland Mitchell Street Million Dollar Mile in Darwin.

World Championship representative and man on the move Stewart McSweyn and Australian 800m record holder Alex Rowe are the latest announcements for the world’s richest road mile. The pair will join past two winners Ryan Gregson and Jordan Gusman.

McSweyn has been on fire in 2017, running a world championships qualifier in the 5000m, before ultimately being selected to represent Australia in the 3000m Steeplechase in last month’s championships in London.

Since June this year, he has set lifetime bests over 3000m, (7:47.65), 3000m steeplechase (8:34.25), 5000m (13:19.98) and a scintillating 3:55.97 for the mile in Cork as recently as 18^th July. All of them Tasmanian open men records.

“After breaking my PB for the mile less than two months ago in Ireland, I believe I’m on track to run a face paced race and I’m excited to run against some of the country’s greatest athletes to see how well I can perform. The large prize pool on offer has drawn the best of the best runners, and I think it’s going to be a very fast paced, high excitement race, which will have the audience on the edge of their seats,” he said.

Dubbed the ‘Mayor of King Island’, referencing the tiny Island he grew up on off the coast of Northern Tasmania, the 22-year-old has been one of the biggest movers of the year in Australian athletics.

“I’m looking forward to competing in the prestigious Lottoland Mitchell Street Million Dollar Mile. It will be my first time visiting Darwin and I’m thrilled that during my first trip I’ll get to race down the main street – what a great welcome to the city!

“The $1 million on offer from Lottoland for breaking the world record is incredible, as such prizes are unheard of for Australian athletics competitions. Although it will be a very tough task to break the world record, it would be fantastic to see one of the competitors take it home.

“I believe the prize has really helped create a buzz throughout the Darwin community, which will hopefully result in a large turnout of support for the event,” McSweyn added.

For Rowe, he will be returning to the Lottoland Mitchell Street Million Dollar Mile in search of more riches, following his 7^th placing last year.

“Last year was my first year up in Darwin, I thoroughly enjoyed. It was a fantastic race, running up and down the street, having all the locals support it. I’ll be looking to come and improve on my run last year, give it a good crack and see how many locals come out to support it.

Better known as an 800m runner, where he co-owns the Australian record and was a semi-finalist at the 2013 World Championships, Rowe is keen to test his form after shifting coaches from Justin Rinaldi to Mark Hipworth during the Melbourne winter.

“I’ve got a new coach in the last 8 weeks and looking forward to see how that translates in a race,” the medical student said.

While only establishing itself in 2014, the Lottoland Mitchell Street Million Dollar Mile is fast growing a reputation of being one of the biggest races of its kind in the world and Rowe admitted that its generating a lot of buzz in the running scene around Australia.

“I’ve noticed a lot more people talking about it this year than last. I’ve also heard the field this year is going to be even hotter than last year. That carrot of $15,000 first prize has definitely attracted more people,” he declared.

The Lottoland Mitchell Street Million Dollar Mile is on Sunday 17^th September and features 8 different categories, with an event for everyone.

Entries are open in all eight categories for the 2017 Lottoland Mitchell Street Million Dollar Mile, including;