Grand Blue Mile announces 2018 USATF 1 Mile Road Championships results / April 24, 2018
More than 3,500 runners took part in the 9th Annual Grand Blue Mile on April 24 in Downtown Des Moines’ Western Gateway. This year’s event included the prestigious Men’s & Women’s USATF 1 Mile Road Championships along with the Grand Blue Mile’s recreational and competitive divisions and the Mascot Madness Charity Challenge.
Spectators also witnessed 96-year-old Mike Fremont set the American road mile record. His time was 13:55.82. He will now attempt to break the World Record for the 95-plus age category in the men’s masters 800 meters at the 109th Drake Relays presented by Hy-Vee on Friday, April 27, at approximately 10:21 a.m. The current record, 6:02.94, was set by Herb Kirk in 1991.
USATF 1 Mile Road Championships
More than 40 elite milers from across the country traveled to Des Moines to vie for a national title and a share of the championship prize purse.
- 2018 Men’s USATF 1 Mile Road Championship
Riley Masters finished on top out of the 20 men’s competitors, with a time of 4:03.12. Eric Avila and Nick Harris finished in second and third place, in 4:03.90 and 4:04.31, respectively. - 2018 Women’s USATF 1 Mile Road Championship
Emily Lipari finished first in the group of 15 professional milers, with a time of 4:32.87. Brenda Martinez and Rachel Schneider finished in second and third place, in 4:33.07 and 4:33.77, respectively.
A total of $30,000 in prize money was up for grabs among the top USATF 1 Mile Road Championship participants, with each men’s and women’s champion receiving $5,000*. The prize breakdown:
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th | 9th | 10th |
| $5,000 | $2,500 | $1,500 | $1,250 | $1,000 | $500 | $300 | $200 | $150 | $100 |
* An additional $2,500 is awarded in both the men’s and women’s championships for establishing a new course record.
Mascot Madness Charity Challenge
Maniac with the Des Moines Menace and Cy from Iowa State University were the winners of the annual Mascot Madness Charity Challenge and each took home the $1,000 prize for their charitable foundation. The Maniac edged out Billy with Iowa Barnstormers and Viktor with Grandview University in the “fastest” division who finished second and third place, respectively. Cy bested Spike from Drake University and Herky from the University of Iowa in the “furriest” division who finished second and third, respectively.
The 10th Annual Grand Blue Mile is scheduled to take place on April 23, 2019.