NEW YORK CITY (Jan. 16) – Alan Webb, who six years ago led the charge to revive American interest in the mile when he broke Jim Ryun’s 36-year-old national high-school record, will compete in the famed Wanamaker Mile at the 100th Millrose Games, organizers announced today.
Webb, 24, became a national celebrity in 2001 when he broke both the indoor and outdoor national high-school mile records, the former at the New York Armory track and the latter on national TV. He is a two-time U.S. outdoor champion at 1500 meters, and a 2004 Olympian. In 2005, he set the American Record for 2 Miles (8:11.48), and last spring ran the fastest 10,000-meter debut ever by an American (27:34.72). Webb is scheduled to run the mile at the New Balance Games at the Armory on Saturday, Jan. 20, six years to the day after setting the indoor high-school mark.
At Millrose, among those he will face are the previously announced American Record-holder Bernard Lagat, the defending champion of the Wanamaker Mile who will be seeking his fifth victory; and Australian Craig Mottram, the 2005 World Championships bronze medalist at 5000 meters who will be making his Millrose Games debut.