Willis, Webb Begin Comebacks

Kiwi gets off to a fast start at the Falmouth Mile.

Nick Willis and Alan Webb, once teammates at the University of Michigan, both returned to the track this weekend after recent surgeries kept both middle-distance stars sidelined over the last year.

Willis, the silver medalist in the 1,500 meters at the Beijing Olympics, ran 3:59.73 to place second in Saturday’s Falmouth Mile behind New Hampshire native and Stanford graduate Russell Brown, who won the race in 3:59.61. It was the first race this season for the New Zealander, who underwent surgery for a torn meniscus in March.

Across the pond, Webb opened up in the 800 meters at a low-key British Milers meet in London on Saturday, running an unofficial time of 1:52 to place seventh in a nine-man field. It was the first since June 2009 for Webb, who underwent surgery on his achilles tendon earlier this year.

For more, including video of both races, visit letsrun.com.