Great Britain's Elliot Giles made history at the New Balance KO Meile in Düsseldorf on Sunday afternoon, setting a new world road mile record with a remarkable time of 3:51.3. This extraordinary achievement shattered the previous mark of 3:54.6, set by Kenya's Emmanuel Wanyonyi, the soon-to-be Olympic champion, back in April.
Giles' record-breaking performance in Düsseldorf is a testament to his exceptional form and determination. Known primarily as a middle-distance runner, Giles has been a prominent figure on the athletics circuit. His previous accolades include a bronze medal in the 800m at the European Championships. This latest feat adds another prestigious accomplishment to his name, demonstrating his versatility and endurance in both track and road racing.
The road mile, a relatively new event in the athletics calendar, was officially recognised for world record status only last September. The record was up for grabs, and Giles seized the opportunity in emphatic style. From the outset, he set a blistering pace, maintaining his lead throughout the race and crossing the finish line in a time that rewrote the history books.
Close on his heels was the Olympic 1500m bronze medallist, Yared Nuguse from the United States. Nuguse also finished under the previous world record, clocking 3:51.9 to take second place.
Giles' achievement comes on the back of a successful season where he reached the 800m final at the Roma 2024 European Athletics Championships and advanced to the 800m semifinal at his third consecutive Olympic Games in Paris 2024. His road mile victory marks a significant milestone in his career and provides a glimpse into his potential for future successes in middle-distance and road racing.
New Balance KO Meile Men's Pro Mile Results:
Pos | Name | Mark |
---|---|---|
1. | GILES Elliot (GBR) | 3:51,3 |
2. | NUGUSE Yared (USA) | 3:51,9 |
3. | KETER Vincent (KEN) | 3:54,9 |
4. | KOECH Jonah | 3:58,0 |
5. | EL KABBOURI Osamma | 3:58,0 |
6. | FOKKENROOD Jesse | 3:58,8 |
7. | BUSSOTTI NEVES Joao | 3:59,0 |
8. | MORNET Romain | 3:59,4 |
9. | VAN NOPPEN Thomas | 4:01,7 |
10. | TOBLER Marcel | 4:01,9 |