Press Release: Third time is the charm for Eccleston; Hunter outkicks Engels at the 2017 Sir Walter Miler

Third time is the charm for Eccleston; Hunter outkicks Engels at the 2017 Sir Walter Miler

August 6, 2017 – Raleigh, NC – In Amanda Eccleston’s third trip to the Sir Walter Miler, a late sprint down the homestretch, past 2015 Champion, Steph Garcia, was enough to secure her first victory in what was the largest crowd to date (4000+), in a winning time of 4:31.72. “I really wanted to win this year, after the last two years,” said Eccleston, after the race to FloTrack. Former Duke graduate, Kate Van Buskirk rounded out the Women’s podium.

In the Men’s race, a surge with 300 meters to go allowed Drew Hunter to defeat a strong Men’s field, including Pfafftown native, Craig Engels, in a winning time of 3:57.32. “It feels really good. Look at the field; there were some really good guys in there,” said Hunter, after his first big professional win. Izaic Yorks completed the Men’s podium, and was part of nine men to dip under the hallowed 4:00 barrier. Engels, Drew Piazza, Andrew Dusing, and Tripp Hurt became the 489th, 490th, 491st, and 492nd Americans to compete the feat, according to Track & Field News. Since the Sir Walter Miler’s first year in 2014, the meet has seen the mark broken 26 times. Before that, the most recent sub 4:00 mile in Raleigh was run in 1974.

Starting off the night, Heather Wilson ran a World Record (4:58.84) in the Citius Mag presents the Raleigh Denim Mile. She was the first female athlete ever to break the 5:00 barrier in the Blue Jeans Mile. Former Sir Walter Miler intern, Alex Boseman, won the Men’s race in 4:37.72. In the Triangle Clash Mile Relay, the Summer of Miles All Stars (3:58.42) held off Fleet Feet Raleigh (4:04.05), and in the Brewery Run Battle Mile Relay, the Nog Run Club defended their title in 4:10.15.

The event also included a pre and post race party at Raleigh Brewing Company. The party was highlighted by food trucks and donated beers from Raleigh area-based breweries (Bond Brothers Beer Company, Brewery Bhavana, Lynnwood Brewing Concern, and Neuse River Brewing Company), as well as a special beer that the Sir Walter team brewed with Wicked Weed brewing, the Summer of Miles Pale Ale, that raised funds for the East Coast Greenway Alliance.

Dan Nelson, the foremost “live painter” in the country, joined us to paint the scene and essence of the Sir Walter Miler! The painting is now up for auction on eBay. Dan is a lifelong runner, has a Personal Record of 4:20 in the mile. Part of the proceeds will go to put on the 2018 Sir Walter Miler!

Sponsors of the 2017 Sir Walter Miler are Great Outdoor Provision Co., Waverly Hematology Oncology, Trophy Brewing Co., Stiner Massage, USATF North Carolina, ElliptiGO, Arrow Haircuts, Shop Local Raleigh, Gregory Poole, and the Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance.

The Sir Walter Miler is directed and promoted by Sir Walter Running, a Raleigh-based USATF club. Sir Walter Running also produces the Pop Up Miles series every June, the Raleigh RunDown Downhill Mile, the upcoming Pop Up Cross Country series this October, and a series of Strava Challenges.

Women’s Elite Mile (Race Video)

1. Amanda Eccleston 4:31.72 ($1000)
2. Steph Garcia 4:31.87 ($700)
3. Kate Van Buskirk 4:32.11 ($500)
4. Emily Lipari 4:32.12 ($250)
5. Rachel Schneider 4:32.66 ($100)
6. Sara Sutherland 4:32.88
7. Heather Kampf 4:33.24
8. Megan Moye 4:34.54
9. Lauren Paquette 4:37.77
10. Katrina Coogan 4:39.67
11. Stephanie Brown 4:44.21
12. Sarah Rapp 4:45.62

Men’s Elite Mile (Race Video)

1. Drew Hunter 3:57.32 ($1000)
2. Craig Engels 3:57.67 ($950)*
3. Izaic Yorks 3:58.57 ($500)
4. Graham Crawford 3:58.60 ($250)
5. Trevor Dunbar 3:58.82 ($100)
6. Drew Piazza 3:59.03 ($250)*
7. Daniel Herrera 3:59.05
8. Andrew Dusing 3:59.10 ($250)*
9. Tripp Hurt 3:59.46 ($250)*
10. Donnie Cowart 4:00.37
11. Luis Vargas 4:00.60
12. Joe Stilin 4:00.78
13. Andrew Colley 4:09.52
14. Avery Martin 4:16.54

*First time Sub 4:00 Bonus

Citius Mag presents the Raleigh Denim Mile Results (Race Video)

Triangle Clash Run Mile Relay (Race Video)

Run Club Battle Mile Relay (Race Video)

Photos: Cheryl Treworgy / PrettySporty.com (More photos from Marc Ridel)

Social Media: #SirWalterMiler | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Snapchat
Podcast: Summer of Miles on Apple Podcasts | SoundCloud | TuneIn | Stitcher | Player FM
Video: Sir Walter Running YouTube Channel | 2017 Promo Video

For more information, sponsorship information, or interview requests, contact Pat Price via Singlet Public Relations at sirwalterrunning@gmail.com and 919.260.8013