Ben Blankenship and Emily Lipari show good form with wins at Medtronic TC Mile

By Chris Lotsbom, Dyestat Editor

Ben Blankenship and Emily Lipari took home wins at Thursday's Medtronic TC Mile in Minnesota.

Blankenship defended his title, breaking away to win in 4:01.0, with Lipari narrowly edging Sara Vaughn in a photo-finish 4:34.8 to 4:34.9. Beyond the results, it shows that Blankenship and Lipari are rounding into form at the right time.

Although it's still early in the season, both Blankenship and Lipari's wins could propel them to even more success on the track in the coming months. Blankenship rebounded well from a tough 3:42.20 1,500 last week at the IAAF Diamond League in Doha to win. Lipari ran 4:14.19 at Stanford's Payton Jordan Invitational a week ago, finishing sixth.

On the roads of Minneapolis, both won tactical contests. According to race organizers, Blankenship ran away from the field that included Nick Willis (10th in 4:11.6).

"Anytime I come back home, I really want to dominate, that’s my only concern,” Blankenship said. “It’s really how big a margin can I win by and how can I conduct that. We played a little cat and mouse at the beginning – Nick Willis and I go way back – so we know a little bit about each other, and I know I don’t want to be in the last 10 meters shoulder to shoulder with him."

The women’s race was much closer with Lipari and Vaughn battling to the very end.

"I’m happy to come off with a win and be really competitive, and use this race to propel me into the track season,” Lipari said.

We already know where to watch out for Blankenship and Lipari in the coming week: Blankenship will be part of a star-studded Bowerman Mile at the Prefontaine Classic on May 27. Lipari is entered in the USATF Distance Classic 1,500 on May 18 (Broadcast info here).