Boston, MA -- The Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) announced today that some of the fastest milers in the world will be taking part in the second-annual B.A.A. Invitational Mile races on Sunday, April 18, 2010 at 9:30 a.m. on Boylston Street in Boston, at the finish line of the 114th Boston Marathon. The professional athletes will compete for a prize purse of $14,500, including $3,000 to the top male and female finisher.
The men's field is highlighted by defending champion Darren Brown (personal best of 3:58.35), American Garrett Heath (p.b. of 3:57.34), and Great Britain's top miler – Andrew Baddeley (p.b. of 3:49.38). In total, the men's field represents three countries, and presents a long resume of running accomplishments and honors. The women's field includes three top Americans: Erin Donahue (p.b. of 4:26.48), Sara Hall (p.b. of 4:32.24), and Morgan Uceny (p.b. of 4:31.70), as well as other top athletes from around the world. A partial list of athletes is included below. More participants will be added to the fields.
Sara Hall is the wife of marathoner Ryan Hall, who is attempting to become the first American male to win the Boston Marathon since 1983. He finished in third place last year.
Both professional mile races are held after the B.A.A. 5K and the B.A.A. Scholastic Mile races on the day before the Boston Marathon. The Sunday events are in their second year and provide an additional, exciting element to the prestigious weekend of road running. “The Invitational Mile races last year were a rousing success. Both the athletes and spectators really enjoyed the track-meet nature of the events. This year's fields are deeply talented, and the B.A.A. expects another competitive day of racing on Marathon weekend,” said Guy Morse, executive director of the B.A.A.
Participants of the 5K and the Boston Marathon are encouraged to watch all of the mile races, and bleacher seating in front of the Boston Public Library will be open. For more information on the Invitational Mile races, the 114th Boston Marathon, or the 2010 B.A.A. 5K, please visit www.baa.org.
Established in 1887, the Boston Athletic Association is a non-profit organization with a mission of managing athletic events and promoting a healthy lifestyle through sports, especially running. The B.A.A.'s Boston Marathon is the world's oldest annual marathon, and the organization manages other local events and supports comprehensive charity, youth, and year-round running programs. Since 1986, the principal sponsor of the Boston Marathon has been John Hancock Financial Services.
| Men's Elite Field* |
| Name (Age, Residence) | Personal Best (Location) |
| Andrew Baddeley (27, Great Britain) | 3:49.38 (Olso, NOR, 2008) |
| Juan Luis Barrios (26, Mexico) | 3:56.08 (New York, NY, 2007) |
| Darren Brown (25, United States) | 3:58.35 (Dublin, IRE, 2008) |
| Mark Draper (25, Great Britain) | 3:56.80 (New York, NY, 2010) |
| Garret Heath (25, United States) | 3:57.34 (Boston, MA, 2010) |
| Ricky Stevenson (21, Great Britain) | 3:56.31 (Boston, MA, 2010) |
| Women's Elite Field* |
| Name (Age, Residence) | Personal Best (Location) |
| Erin Donahue (26, United States) | 4:26.48 (Rieti, ITA, 2008) |
| Sarah Hall (27, United States) | 4:32.24 (Falmouth, MA, 2009) |
| Roisin McGettigan (29, Ireland) | 4:35.55 (Philadelphia, PA, 2004) |
| Marina Muncan (27, Serbia) | 4:33.16 (Toronto, ONT, 2009) |
| Morgan Uceny (25, United States) | 4:31.70 (Falmouth, MA, 2009) |
*as of 3/30/2010
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