This was a tough environment to run fast in, just not enough energy, even the top elites would have struggled running fast here.
Here is my advice:
1. Have the race on a Friday night.
2. Get the fans into it the same way the Sir Walter Mile does. Beer, everyone on the track, music, fun atmosphere, get a big crowd.
3. Have the race on a track with wider turns. One of the reasons the Stanford track is so fast is because the track has wider turns than your standard track. Tracks like that are better for distance runners.
4. Have the guys who were well off the standard wait a lap and help pace the front guys when they get lapped.