Alan Webb Chases US Mile Record
By Doug Speck - Editor DyeStatCal

 
photos by John Dye
2001 Arcadia Invitational
Ryan Hall and Alan Webb roll along on Lap 3 at Arcadia Invite
Alan Webb at end of a 4:01.81 Mile (3:59.51 Nat'l Fed Record 1600 on the way)

Broadband needed for video links below

Alan Webb has been running very strong as of late, with a great late June USATF 1500m win over Bernard Lagat at 3:34.82 with the quick race including an impressive "pop" right at the end that showed the ability to be really successful on the international scene where the races often come down a final 150 meter sprint.  At Paris in the early July Meeting Gaz de France Alan upped the success level with a 3:30.54 1500m win over local hero Mehdi Baala, who was very hot this summer and was second at 3:31.01.  The 3:30.54 clocking equates to under 3:48 for a mile and if you had a chance to see the video of the race Webb looked super and capable of running quicker, with the former Virginia prep who was the winner of the Arcadia 1600/Mile from 2001 over Ryan Hall and a great field, ready for an attack on the American Mile Record.  The Mile Record for US folks is 3:47.69 by Steve Scott, the current Cal State San Marcos coach, who was a 1:52.4 State runner-up 880 runner at Upland HS in 1974 before a fine career at UC Irvine and Open/Olympic level career of great note with his best mile dating from 1982. 

For some reason a July 21st meet in Belgium was chosen as the chance for the record attempt, with Walt Murphy describing the record attempt on the Track and Field News Boards:

"Australian Youcef Abdi is scheduled to set the pace through 800-meters in 1.51, with Kenyan Samson Surum taking it through 1200m in 2.48.5. (slightly under 2:50 for 3/4-mile). Both have run under 3:37 for 1500-meters and have experience at "rabbiting". Others in the field are Mark Fountain(AUS,) Chris Lukezic(doubtful starter), Tasama Dame(BEL), and Boujamaa Stouti (MAR).

Webb's mile best is 3:48.92(2005), and his recent 1500 best of 3:30.54 is the equivalent of a sub-3:48 mile.

Video of the race, which is scheduled for 3pm (ET)/Noon(PT), should be available at flotrack.com by 3:30 pm ET (12:30 pm - PT)."

Atletiek Vlaanderen Meeting Web Site (Meet of record attempt)
Click on the English flag for the English language version of the site

 

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