Torrence Wants To Go Fast In Falmouth

The miler is hoping for a low-3:50s race on Saturday night. 

(c) 2013 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved. Used with permission. 

CAPE COD, Mass. — David Torrence expects something special from Saturday night’s Falmouth Mile. Speaking with Race Results Weekly on July 27 at the Sainsbury’s Anniversary Games in London, Torrence said that a fast time, perhaps as low as 3:51, could be run on the James Kalperis Track at Falmouth High School.

“I wouldn’t doubt it if we end up going just as fast, if not faster, in Falmouth where it’s a more controlled meet,” said Torrence, referring to a mark matching those run at London’s IAAF Diamond League meeting. At the Olympic Stadium, Torrence timed 3:52.74 for eighth in a field that included IAAF Diamond League 1500m points leader Ayanleh Souleiman and Olympic silver medalist Galen Rupp.

Torrence, 27, won the 2012 edition of the Falmouth Mile with a time of 3:55.79, leading a total of six men under four minutes.

The mile — held on the eve of the New Balance Falmouth Road Race — is known for fast times despite it’s casual atmosphere. Nestled behind a high school and surrounded by trees, one wouldn’t expect world class times to be run on the multi-colored track. The opposite is true.

In the last three years, 18 finishers have run under four minutes, including ten in 2011 (Editor’s note: included among those breaking four minutes in 2011 was Christian Hesch, who subsequently received an IAAF performance enhancing drugs ban for EPO in 2012). In 2012, the women’s mile world leader was run on the track by Brenda Martinez; her winning time was 4:26.76.

“It is pretty fast,” said Torrence, commenting on the track’s characteristics. The Falmouth High School track surface is noted by organizers as being “the fastest ‘Mondo’ track facility on the East Coast.”

Saturday’s race falls at a crucial point in Torrence’s season. Having not made the United States’ team for the IAAF World Championships — which start Saturday in Moscow — Torrence has returned to America after competing on the European circuit for part of the summer. The Falmouth Mile is a chance for Torrence to see where he stands fitness-wise heading into the latter stages of the 2013 track season.

“It’s kind of a mid-break check-up, you know?” he said. “I’m really preparing for any Diamond League meets I can get into or any World Challenge meets.”

In order to retain his title, Torrence will have to deal with the likes of Jordan McNamara, Garrett Heath, Matt Elliot, and Will Leer. McNamara and Heath each set personal bests over the mile in London.

Torrence noted that if conditions are right, then the field should surpass McNamara’s event record of 3:54.89, set in 2011.

“I really think so,” he said.

A prize purse of $3,750 await the top four finishers, with added incentive bonuses given to those who run under 3:58 or set a meet record.

“Many of the guys who are running Falmouth were right here running this mile,” he said in London. “It’s going to be fast.”