World Champions To Watch At The New Balance 5th Avenue Mile
There will be four medalists and 17 finalists from August’s IAAF World Championships toeing the line at the 5th Avenue Mile.
The 2017 New Balance 5th Avenue Mile on Sunday, Sept. 10, is sure to leave every running fan on the edge of their seats. Why? Well, the stacked field is the main reason, with 11 countries representing—including four medalists and 17 finalists from August’s IAAF World Championships—and both defending champions set to return.
Stretching 20 blocks down Manhattan’s most famous thoroughfare, the race will feature 23 heats throughout the day, featuring Emma Coburn, Courtney Frerichs, Jenny Simpson (returning in search of her record-extending sixth title for this race) and Filip Ingebrigtsten, all who had podium finishes at the World Championships.
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“I’m excited to be returning to the New Balance 5th Avenue Mile for the chance to claim a sixth victory,” Simpson said via press release. “It’s an honor to win each time because it’s never easily done. The simplicity of the race, a straight mile, combined with the level of talent the event draws, makes it the most deserving road mile in the world to be broadcast live on NBC. I am so grateful to NYRR and NBC for bringing the best of running to the widest audience possible.”
Additionally, Team USA member Eric Jenkins will look to become the first men’s repeat victor in the event since 1998.
“I’m really looking forward to coming back to New York to defend my 5th Avenue Mile title,” shared Eric Jenkins, 2016 New Balance 5th Avenue Mile champion, via press release. “Winning last year’s race got the ball rolling for me on one of my most successful years of competition yet. This race means a lot to me. New York Road Runners always features top-notch competition, so I’m going to need to bring it if I want to walk away with another victory.”
Additional notables competing in the professional athlete field include Kenya’s Edward Cheserek, New Zealand’s three-time Olympian Nick Willis, USA’s Team New Balance Olympian Brenda Martinez and Spain’s Team New Balance Olympian Adel Mechaal.
The 37th running of the world’s most iconic road race will be aired live on NBC at 1:30 p.m. ET and streamed via authentication on NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports App, as well as with a subscription to NBC Sports Gold’s “Track and Field Pass.” The broadcast will feature live coverage of the men’s and women’s professional athlete races, in addition to a recap of the rest of the day’s heats.
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