Sixth edition attracts eight sub-4 minute men’s milers and nine sub-4:30 minute women’s milers for Friday evening, July 28 downtown event; $30,000 prize purse presented by GNC Live Well; 3rd stop on Bring Back the Mile Grand Prix Tour 2017
The 6th GNC Live Well Liberty Mile on Friday, July 28 will host its deepest field to-date with eight sub-4 minute men’s milers and nine sub-4:30 minute women’s milers expected to compete for the $30,000 prize purse in the City of Champions. The star-studded line-up includes 4-time race champion Heather Kampf and 2016 U.S. Olympian and defending champion Ben Blankenship.
“We are proud to sponsor the Liberty Mile and are thrilled that it continues to attract the best American runners of all ages and abilities,” said Bob Moran, GNC CEO. “At GNC, our focus every day is to provide products that help our customers Live Well and it’s exciting to be a part of events that not only bring the community together, but also promote and encourage healthy lifestyles.”
For the women, defending champion Kampf, 30, who also holds the event record of 4 minutes, 32 seconds, will face tough competition from rising mile stars Emily Lipari (4:27.19 mile personal best) and Lauren Johnson (4:25.04 mile PB).
On the men’s side, Blankenship, 27, who won last year’s race in 4:02 in his Pittsburgh debut will compete against a deep field of sub-4 minute milers including Riley Masters (3:55.80 mile PB) and Kyle Merber (3:52.22 mile PB). Full field list below.
This year’s American Development Pro Mile offers $25,000 in guaranteed prize money with each race champion awarded $5000. The GNC Live Well Liberty Mile is also the third stop on the Bring Back the Mile Grand Prix Tour 2017. For more event information including course map, visit: LibertyMile.org.
2017 Men’s Field
Name | Affiliation | Personal Best |
Ben Blankenship | NIKE Oregon Track Club | 3:52.70 |
Colby Alexander | HOKA ONE ONE NJ*NY Track Club | 3:50.30 |
Kyle Merber | HOKA ONE ONE NJ*NY Track Club | 3:52.22 |
Pat Casey | NIKE Oregon Track Club | 3:52.62 |
Riley Masters | NIKE | 3:55.80 |
Daniel Herrera | Unattached | 3:56.13 |
Eric Avila |
Team Run Eugene
|
3:56.50 |
Brannon Kidder | Brooks Beasts Track Club | 3:59.48 |
Nick Harris | Unattached |
1:47.80 (800m)
|
2017 Women’s Field
Name | Affiliation | Personal Best |
Heather Kampf | ASICS | 4:19.70 |
Stephanie Garcia
|
New Balance | 4:24.68 |
Lauren Johnson
|
BAA Elite | 4:25.04 |
Shannon Osika | Saucony |
4:25.10
|
Rachel Schneider | Under Armour |
4:25.62
|
Emily Lipari |
BAA Elite
|
4:27.19
|
Lianne Farber |
NorCal Distance Project
|
4:27.39 |
Kaela Edwards
|
adidas | 4:28.75 |
Stephanie Brown
|
Unattached
|
4:29.06
|
Eleanor Fulton |
Saucony
|
4:30.34 |
Hannah Fields
|
Brooks Beasts Track Club
|
4:31.40 |
Katrina Coogan | New Balance | 4:33.00 |
Angel Piccirillo
|
Unattached | 4:34.67 |
Tori Gerlach |
Unattached
|
4:37.83
|
* = 1500 meters