Professional Track Returns to Long Island

By Scott Bush

It started as a dream for professional distance runner Kyle Merber. Bringing the nation’s best middle distance talent to Long Island, New York to compete in a mile race, it seemed possible but the groundwork needed to be laid down.

On Wednesday, September 9, Merber’s vision comes to life at the HOKA ONE ONE Long Island Mile, where eleven men and eight women will square off in one last track battle and $14,000 in prize money is on the line.

Merber, along with sponsors HOKA ONE ONE and Sayville Running Company, have compiled strong fields, led by IAAF World Championship qualifiers, USATF Outdoor finalists and NCAA All-Americans and fans can watch live Wednesday, as the elite races are set to be streamed live on RunnerSpace.com.

Heath, Merber Ready to Compete in Deep Men’s Field

It’s been a season to remember for Garrett Heath. The Brooks Beast star continues to put himself in contention to make U.S. national teams, while dropping his times. Earlier this season, Heath won the USATF One Mile Road Championships, then came back to run a big new 1,500m best of 3:34.13 at the Portland Track Festival. The veteran followed that up with a fourth place 5,000m showing at the USATF Outdoor Championships, nearly earning a spot on Team USA. Heath heads into Wednesday’s contest as the pre-race favorite, but he’ll have plenty of competition.

Heath’s strongest competition could very well come from race director Merber. The NJNY Track Club standout finished sixth at the USATF Outdoor Championships in the 1,500m and has run as one of the best 1,500m and mile runners all season long. Throw in his runner-up finish at the USATF Indoor Championships over 1,000m and Merber clearly has the form this season to contend.

Experienced veterans David Torrence and Jack Bolas are two others who’ve put up big results this season and seem ready for a fine mile race on Long Island. Torrence placed fifth in the 5,000m at the USATF Outdoor Championships, while Bolas finished third at the GNC Liberty Mile last month.

Some successful young pros are entered, too. Peter Callahan, Daniel Winn and Cristian Santos are all coming off All-American seasons at the NCAA level. Callahan placed fourth in the NCAA 1,500m final this outdoor season, while Santos and Winn placed seventh and ninth. Winn continued his fine racing by finishing seventh at the USATF Outdoor Championships.

IAAF World Championship qualifier Hassan Mead is entered. The 5,000m/10,000m specialist drops down in distance. While he seemingly lacks the speed to truly contend, do not discount the Oregon Track Club Elite runner from lowering his mile best and putting himself in content for top five.

Merber’s teammate Ford Palmer, who finished eleventh at the USATF Outdoor Championships in the 1,500m, Riley Masters and Brandon Hudgins round out the field, while NJNY Track Club’s Declan Murray will rabbit the men’s race.

Gallagher, Kampf Look to Continue Impressive Seasons

No athlete surprised more at the USATF Outdoor Championships than Kerri Gallagher, who placed third in the 1,500m final, and eventually earned her ticket to the IAAF World Championships, where she advanced to the semi-final. Not a bad season at all. Gallagher extends her triumphant season Wednesday, clearly marked as one of the top athletes to watch and coming off the high of her experience in Beijing.

Gallagher finds challengers in notable veterans Treniere Moser of the Nike Oregon Project and Heather Kampf of Team USA Minnesota. Moser and Kampf placed sixth and seventh respectively in the 1,500m final at the USATF Outdoor Championships, while Kampf won the USATF One Mile Road Championships earlier in the year. Both have run exceptionally well this season and look to continue their winning ways.

Amanda Eccleston and Heather Wilson are two others fully capable of challenging for top three finishes. Eccleston placed third to Kampf at the USATF One Mile Road Championships, while Wilson has been a top ten 1,500m runner much of the past two years.

Rounding out the field are Charlotte Browning, Lennie Waite and Laura Nagel. Each looks to challenge their mile personal bests, while challenging for top five finishes and breaking into the prize money. Rachel Schneider, who placed fifth in the 1,500m at the USATF Outdoor Championships, will rabbit the field.