2018 HOKA ONE ONE Long Island Mile Returns September 5th

Circle the date! The 4th Annual HOKA ONE ONE Long Island Mile will be returning to St. Anthony’s High School in Huntington, NY on Wednesday, September 5th, 2018. The meet is now a mainstay at the end of the professional track calendar as the world’s top professionals draw their seasons to a close with one last fast track mile. Although the numerous Olympians, World Championship Qualifiers, and World Record Holders cap off the night, the program begins with an all-comers meet where athletes of all abilities are welcomed to chase mile personal bests themselves.

What has always made this event special are the large groups of enthusiastic fans who lined the track and cheered along the multiple men and women to break the historic 4-minute mile and elusive 4:30 barrier. Entire high school track teams show up to cheer their favorite professionals, and maybe get a few autographs.

The event was first held in 2015 when co-meet directors, Kyle Merber and Brendan Barrett aimed to tie together the local running community with the elite side of the sport. Merber who runs professionally for HOKA ONE ONE and went to high school down the road at Half Hollow Hills West, holds a personal best of 3:52 in the mile and will be competing for the 4th year in a row. Barrett is the owner of Sayville and Smithtown Running Company where he employed Kyle for many years.

“It wouldn’t feel like the end of the summer anymore without hosting the best runner’s in the world in our own backyard. The buzz leading into the event each year continues to amplify,” said Barrett

Last year was a particularly emotional night of racing. Just one week prior to the race, two-time champion and Peruvian Olympian, David Torrence, tragically passed away sending shockwaves across the running community. The men’s race was named in his honor and The David Torrence Mile will continue to be run in his memory.

Merber remembers, “It was truly a cathartic night. I was in tears on the starting line and hearing his name cheered for as the rain came pouring down. I’m excited to celebrate his life and career again.”

Emily Lipari, a native Long Islander from Roslyn, narrowly won the 2017 race in a time of 4:28.8 over Olympian Brenda Martinez. On the men’s side, Scotland’s Chris O’Hare took home the crown over two time Olympic medallist Nick Willis in a time of 3:56. The meet records are 3:53.91 by David Torrence in  2015 and 4:26.87 by Amanda Eccleston in 2016.

Leading into this year’s event, St. Anthony’s will be undergoing renovations and the race will be run on a brand new, state of the art, 400 meter Mondo track.  These facility upgrades bring the potential for even quicker times.

Once again, RunnerSpace.com will be on hand for race coverage and to LIVE stream the event for those unable to attend. They will be resuming their collaboration with Just-InTime-Racing, who will be in charge of timing and scoring.  Admission is only $5 to spectate, or $20 to race (kids 400m fun run is $10). Tickets, registration, and more information are available at LongIslandMile.com or by calling Sayville Running Company (631-589-5700).