Reekie Breaks Event Record as Langon Wins Thrilling 2026 Fifth Avenue Mile
Jemma Reekie delivered a record-breaking performance and Marco Langon announced himself with a debut victory at the 2026 New Balance 5th Avenue Mile in New York on Sunday, September 13. Reekie claimed her third women’s title in 4:13.8, while Langon won a closely contested men’s race in 3:45.0—the second-fastest men’s performance in the event’s history.
Reekie’s winning time erased the previous women’s event record of 4:14.8, set by Laura Muir in 2022 and equalled by Karissa Schweizer in 2024. Racing on a road still wet after morning rain, the Scot finished comfortably clear of Americans Josette Andrews and Rachel McArthur.
Andrews secured second in 4:16.1, with McArthur completing the podium in 4:17.7. France’s Bérénice Cleyet-Merle placed fourth in 4:18.3, followed by Lindsey Butler in 4:19.1.
Already the champion in 2021 and 2023, Reekie returned after a two-year absence to add another victory. Her third title moved her behind only eight-time winner Jenny Simpson on the women’s all-time winners list. It also completed consecutive weekends of road-mile success following her victory in Düsseldorf.
Langon’s late finishing speed proved decisive in the men’s race. The New Jersey native held off Britain’s Jake Heyward and Australia’s Adam Spencer to win on his first appearance at the event, less than a second ahead of both rivals.
Heyward took second in 3:45.8, edging Spencer, who was credited with the same time to one decimal place. Only Josh Kerr’s 3:44.3 from 2024 remains faster than Langon’s winning mark.
Drew Hunter finished fourth in 3:46.5, followed by Flavien Szot in 3:46.9 and Cooper Teare in 3:47.3. The first eight men finished within three seconds, underlining the depth of a race decided by a sharp final kick.
Like Reekie, Langon arrived in Manhattan after winning in Düsseldorf the previous weekend. His New York victory gave him another significant result early in his professional career.
Men’s Top Ten
| Place | Name | Country | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marco Langon | USA | 3:45 |
| 2 | Jake Heyward | GBR | 3:46 |
| 3 | Adam Spencer | AUS | 3:46 |
| 4 | Drew Hunter | USA | 3:47 |
| 5 | Flavien Szot | FRA | 3:47 |
| 6 | Cooper Teare | USA | 3:48 |
| 7 | Sam Prakel | USA | 3:48 |
| 8 | Gary Martin | USA | 3:48 |
| 9 | Romain Mornet | FRA | 3:49 |
| 10 | Abel Teffra | USA | 3:50 |
Top Three Ten
| Place | Name | Country | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jemma Reekie | GBR | 4:14 |
| 2 | Josette Andrews | USA | 4:17 |
| 3 | Rachel McArthur | USA | 4:18 |
| 4 | Bérénice Cleyet-Merle | FRA | 4:19 |
| 5 | Lindsey Butler | USA | 4:20 |
| 6 | Susan Ejore-Sanders | KEN | 4:21 |
| 7 | Adelle Tracey | JAM | 4:21 |
| 8 | Elise Cranny | USA | 4:21 |
| 9 | Melissa Courtney-Bryant | GBR | 4:21 |
| 10 | Jessica Kain | USA | 4:24 |
