On a sunny Sunday afternoon, Scotsman Josh Kerr of the Brooks Beasts Track Club set a new standard in American road racing. Kerr, the Olympic 1500m silver medalist, claimed victory at the 43rd New Balance Fifth Avenue Mile with an impressive time of 3:44.3, breaking Sydney Maree’s long-standing record from 1981 of 3:47.52.
“I told the meet director beforehand that I had taken Sydney Maree’s NCAA (1500m) record in 2018 while at the University of New Mexico,” Kerr said after the race. “It was a nostalgic moment going after his record again today. Maree is one of the greatest 1500m runners in history, and those are the kinds of times I’m aiming for.”
Kerr’s strategic race began with him positioning himself behind the early leaders. Eric Holt (Puma/Empire Track Club) set a fast pace to win the halfway bonus of $1,000, passing the first quarter (mostly downhill) in about 57 seconds. However, Cathal Doyle (Concliffe Harriers) narrowly beat Holt to the halfway mark. Kerr then surged ahead, leaving his competitors behind.
“I’m feeling fit and healthy,” Kerr said, reflecting on the victory, coming just days after placing fifth in the 1500m at the Zürich Diamond League. “I was really looking forward to this race, and the conditions couldn’t have been better — a sunny day with a tailwind in New York.”
Hobbs Kessler (adidas) initially chased Kerr, but by the three-quarter mark, reached in about 2:51, Kerr had extended his lead and continued to accelerate. Kessler, who finished fifth in the 1500m at the Paris Olympics, faded toward the finish line, placing ninth in 3:52.1.
Josh Hoey (adidas), an 800m specialist, claimed second place with a surprising performance of 3:48.9, while Amon Kemboi (Puma Elite Running) from Kenya finished third in 3:49.3. Vince Ciattei (Under Armour/Dark Sky Distance) and Robert Farken (On Running) rounded out the top five, posting times of 3:50.6 and 3:51.9, respectively.
Hoey, participating in the race for the first time, reflected on his experience. “I’ve come up from the Philadelphia area to watch this event many times, but this was my first time running it,” Hoey said. “When Kerr surged at the halfway point, I knew it was going to be tough. I just focused on covering him and giving my all in those last 400 meters.”
Of the 19 competitors, 17 broke the four-minute barrier. Cathal Doyle, who claimed the halfway bonus, finished eighth in 3:52.2.
Kerr’s record-breaking run solidifies his standing as one of the premier 1500m runners in the world, further adding to his growing list of accomplishments.
