Comfortable mile victory for Alan Webb in New York (© Victah Sailer)
Alan Webb victoriously returned to New York City's famous New Balance Armory Center six years to the day after he became the first American high school student to break the four minute barrier indoors. This time he produced a career indoor best as well, clocking 3:56.70 en route to a comfortable win.
Closely following the rabbits through splits of 58.7 and 1.58.7, he took the lead with New York-based Kenyan Eliud Ngubi at the 1000m point. Looking extremely relaxed and strong, he breezed thru 1200m in 2.58.7 before closing with with a strong final 200m in 28 seconds flat. Webb glanced at the clock as he crossed the line, satified with the new personal best.
"The race went out a little slow, but it was even which set up well for a strong finish," said Webb, whose won an earlier low-key outing in 3:59.34 on 6 January.
Webb chose the Armory venue for his indoor PR, noting that it was at the same event six years that he become America's most famous miler since Jim Ryun.
"It's fun to run in this facility because everyone knows my history and I feel very welcome here." Webb is expected to run in all three of USA Track and Field's Indoor Visa Championship Series, which kicks off on Saturday in Boston.
On the women's side, Irishwoman Mary Cullen was a revelation in a rare mile appearance, showing a lot of strength with her 4:32.29 victory over a solid field.
A close pack throughout the race, Canada's fomer World indoor silver medallist Carmen Douma-Hussar assumed the early lead, followed by American Sara Hall, Canadian Hillary Stellingwerff and Cullen. With 400 metres to go, Cullen moved up from fourth and into the lead, and in the final pulsating 100 metres, held off the late rush of the other three.
"My goal was to finish in the top 5 here," she said, adding that her focus remains on the longer 3000 and 5000m events. "But it's nice to do the mile to get that sharpness. You need to run a good mile to run a good 3k and 5k."
The New Balance Games were once again sold out, with Webb producing the biggest buzz.
Victah Sailer for the IAAF
Results -
Mile:
MEN -
1. Alan Webb, USA 3:56.70
2. Eluid Ngubi, KEN 3:58.64
3. Adrian Blincoe, NZL 4:00.21
4. Josh McAdams, USA 4:00.59
5. Andy Baddeley, GBR 4:01.17
WOMEN -
1. Mary Cullen, IRL 4:32.29
2. Sara Hall, USA 4:32.68
3. Carmen Douma-Hussar, CAN 4:32.78
4. Hilary Stellingwerff, CAN 4:32.90
5. Marina Muncan, SRB 4:35.43
