Nuguse Takes Down Lopez Lomong's Meet Record At Sir Walter Miler With 3:53.34, Hiltz Moves Up A Spot From 2021 With No. 2 In The World 4:21.89

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

The fastest miles on North Carolina soil have fresh tracks after Friday night's racing at the Sir Walter Miler in Raleigh, N.C. 

First, Nikki Hiltz ran away took over the lead in the final 250 meters and charged to the finish line in 4:21.89 for the second-fastest mile in the world this year. 

And then, Yared Nuguse of On Athletics came off the final corner of the men's race to overtake Sean McGorty, representing Nike Bowerman Track Club, and cruised through the finish line in 3:53.34 and led four men under 3:55 and 12 athletes to sub-4 performances. 

That meant state record bonuses of $5,000 each for Hiltz and Nuguse. That was on top of the $1,500 prizes for winning the races.

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Eleanor Fulton helped make the record possible, pushing the pace in the middle until Hiltz took over with a strong kick late at Cardinal Gibbons High School. Hiltz, representing Lululemon, was second in the 2021 race.

Fulton, competing unattached, was second in a lifetime-best 4:23.65. Elly Henes was third in a personal-best 4:27.66 and fellow adidas athlete Gabbi Jennings took fourth in 4:31.78, also lowering her fastest time from last year's event, when she clocked 4:32.19 in her professional debut representing Team Boss.

McGorty, who competed in the 10,000 meters for the U.S. at the World Athletics Championships, showed his versatility by going for it in the mile. He moved into second place with 600 meters to go and was leading at 2:56.6 at the bell. 

Nuguse got past McGorty with 100 meters to go and charged down the middle of the homestretch with a corridor of screaming fans on either side of the track. 

Behind him, Festus Lagat was closing hard but a little bit too late to catch Nuguse, who broke Lopez Lomong's 2018 meet record and North Carolina soil record (3:53.86). 

Lagat, representing Under Armour, was second in 3:54.02 and McGorty took third in 3:54.51. Vince Ciattei, competing for Nike Oregon Track Club Elite, finished fourth in 3:54.79.