Four of the world's top ten men's milers will toe the line
June 10 at the 2007 Prefontaine Classic at the University of
Oregon's historic Hayward Field in Eugene. The fourth event of USA Track & Field's 2007 Outdoor Visa
Championship Series, the Prefontaine Classic will be
televised live on NBC, Sunday, June 10, from 4:00 - 6:00
p.m. Eastern Time.
The field includes nine runners with lifetime mile bests
under 4-minutes, which could jeopardize the Hayward Field
and Prefontaine Classic record of 3 minutes 49.92 seconds
set six years ago by Hicham El Guerrouj.
Americans leading the way include two-time Olympic
medalist and defending Bowerman Mile champion Bernard
Lagat, who ended the 2006 season ranked #3 in the world
in the 1,500/mile by Track & Field News. Two-time U.S.
Outdoor champion and reigning national indoor titlist Alan
Webb returns to The Bowerman Mile, where he ran a
3:53.43 at the 2001 Pre Classic to set the national high
school record. Webb's performance bettered the previous
standard set by National Track & Field Hall of Famer Jim
Ryun 36 years earlier. Webb's win at the Drake Relays on
April 28 in 3:51.71 is the fastest mile time in the world this
outdoor season. Another American to keep an eye on is
2006 U.S. Indoor mile champion Chris Lukezic.
A strong international contingent will be led by Kenyan Alex
Kipchirchir, who won the Bowerman Mile in 2005, was the
runner-up to Lagat last year in Eugene and ended the 2006
season ranked #1 in the world. Also watch for Kenyan
Daniel Komen, who ran the fastest 1,500m time in the world
last year of 3:29.02, and ended the season ranked #5 in the
world. Fellow Kenyan Shadrack Korir, who posted 1,500m
wins at Lausanne and Madrid last season, also could be a
factor.
Tickets are available at the Casanova Center ticket office in
Eugene by calling 1-800-WEBFOOT, or online at
www.goducks.com . USATF welcomes you to pay with your
Visa.
For more information on the 2007 Visa Championship
Series, visit www.usatf.org.