Shannon Rowbury Runs 4:22.69 In Women’s Mile, Becomes 5th Fastest Performer Ever

by LetsRun.com
January 31, 2015

2014 was a special year for Shannon Rowbury as for the first time in her career, she broke 4:00 in the 1500, 8:30 in the 3000 and 15:00 in the 5000. 2015 may be even more special as she showed today at the Camel City Elite Races in Winston-Salem, North Carolina that she’s in supreme early season shape as she destroyed the field and facility record by winning the women’s Mellow Mile in 4:22.66, a new world leader.

Rowbury’s time makes her the fifth-fastest indoor miler in history (9th-fastest indoor performance ever), with two of the women ahead of her confirmed dopers and the other two suspicious in many people’s minds given their Eastern European origin.

The 5 Fastest Indoor Milers In History

1. 4:17.14 Doina Melinte (Romania, 1990)
2. 4:18.99 Paula Ivan (Romania, 1990)
3. 4:20.5h Mary Slaney (USA, 1982) later busted for drugs
4. 4:21.79 Regina Jacobs (USA, 2000) later busted for drugs
5. 4:22.69 Shannon Rowbury (USA, 2014)

While the rest of the world normally runs the 1500, Rowbury’s time is still quite fast. It converts to about 4:03.2 in the 1500 which would have been the indoor world #3 in 2014 and 2013 and world #2 in 2013.

Former world #1 Morgan Uceny was the best of the rest as she won the three-way battle for second in 4:30.90 to Heather Kampf’s 4:31.24 and Stephanie Garcia’s 4:33.23. Heidi See was the only other woman under 4:40 in 4:34.69. High schooler Ryen Frazier was fifth in 4:41.56, a time which we believe moves her to #10 all-time in US indoor HS history.

The rabbit went close to 800 meters in this one running nice, fairly even splits (409 in 67, 809 in 2:14) but Rowbury clearly didn’t need any help today as once the rabbit was gone, Rowbury picked up the pace. Her last 200 was roughly a 32-low. Rowbury was clearly happy with her run as she gave high fives with fans during her victory lap before getting a warm hug from Cheryl Treworgy, Shalane Flanagan‘s mother.

Quick Take #1: Jenny Simpson, start training. You were the world #1 in 2014 but you are going to be totally on top of your game to be the US #1 in 2015.

Results

Event 40  Women 1 Mile Run Mellow Mile
=======================================================================
    Name                    Year School                  Finals  Points
=======================================================================
Finals                                                                 
  1 Rowbury, Shannon             Nike Oregon Project    4:22.66        
  2 Uceny, Morgan                Adidas                 4:30.90        
  3 Kampf, Heather               Asics/Team Usa MN      4:31.24        
  4 Garcia, Stephanie            New Balance/Furm       4:33.23        
  5 See, Heidi                   Furman Elite           4:34.69        
  6 Frazier, Ryen                Unattached             4:41.56        
  7 Staker, Ellie                Embry-Riddle           4:44.37        
  8 Hamilton, Carly              Georgia                4:49.27        
  9 Morton, Shannon              Virginia Tech          4:50.34        
 10 Rempel, Karley               North Carolina         4:51.39        
 11 Whelan, Elizabeth            North Carolina         4:54.03        
 12 Paddon, Sarah                Davidson               4:55.84        
 13 Wright, Megan                Toledo                 4:55.88        
 -- Salerno, Melissa             Furman Elite               DNF

Discuss this race in our forum: MB: Shannon Rowbury runs 4:22.69 at Camel City!! Moves to #5 all-time in world!!.

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