New mile champions crowned again in Raleigh

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

Amanda Eccleston and Drew Hunter produced thrilling victories Friday at the fourth annual Sir Walter Miler at Meredith College in Raleigh, N.C.

Eccleston, second the past two years, won the women’s mile race in 4 minutes, 31.73 seconds, rallying past 2015 champion Stephanie Garcia (4:31.87). Eccleston was in third at the 1,500 mark in 4:15.25, before surging ahead of Garcia and third-place Kate Van Buskirk (4:32.11).

Hunter prevailed by a 3:57.32 to 3:57.67 margin over Craig Engels to secure his first outdoor mile victory since his senior year at Loudoun Valley, Va., at the 2015 Penn Relays. Hunter came through the 1,500 in 3:42.71 and was able to hold on down the stretch against Engels and third-place Izaic Yorks (3:58.57).

The victories by Eccleston and Hunter ensured there wouldn’t be a repeat or two-time champion in meet history. Ford Palmer won the inaugural men’s race in 2014, followed by Robby Andrews and Kyle Merber, with Heidi See, Lauren Johnson and Garcia securing the past three women’s titles.

Eccleston ran a personal-best 4:25.64 last year to finish runner-up to Johnson (4:25.04). Hunter placed sixth last summer in 3:57.15 – with Merber capturing the men’s title in 3:54.57 – and lowered his personal best July 12 to 3:56.79 at the Dublin Morton Games in Ireland.

It marked the third year in a row that Eccleston, representing Brooks, won an outdoor mile race. Hunter followed his first outdoor victory as an adidas professional – winning the 3,000 race July 7 at the Letterkenny International Meeting in Ireland – by leading nine individuals under the 4-minute barrier in the mile.