Press Release: Cory McGee, Chris O’Hare sprint to wins at the 2019 Sir Walter Miler

August 2, 2019 Sir Walter Running

August 2, 2019 – Raleigh, North Carolina – After an hour weather delay, in steady rain, the Meredith College track and Sir Walter atmosphere delivered yet again. In the Women’s race, a sprint finish between Cory McGee and Lauren Johnson resulted in sub 4:30 performances for both women, with McGee taking the victory in 4:27.87, followed by Johnson in 4:28.14.

“I’m really grateful for the Raleigh fans, and really the state of North Carolina for always making a track meet feel like a fun party,” said McGee, continuing “immediately I looked around at the crowd and it was as exciting as every year past. This was my third year here, and it didn’t feel that much different, even considering the weather.”

Taking a big swing at the 4:30 barrier, in third, was recent Notre Dame grad Jessica Harris, finishing in a personal best of 4:30.03. Harris was followed by Rebecca Mehra who ran her way to a seven second best of 4:33.42.

In the Men’s race, the fastest pace request in Sir Walter history resulted in fast times. Chris O’Hare and Sam Prakel battled the whole way, finishing 1-2 in 3:54.81 and 3:54.90, respectively.

“The crowds probably cancelled out the conditions, and it’s a bit easier for us to get after it when they are screaming in our face,” said O’Hare.

The pair led a total of eight men under the 4-minute barrier, including first timer, James Quattlebaum, the 2019 Pop Up Miles Champion.

“It validates a lot… my grandfather’s death inspired me a lot to go out and do what not many people have done,” Quattlebaum said, explaining the breakthrough over a year out of college. Quattlebaum’s time of 3:58.62 makes him the 12th first time sub-4 miler in Sir Walter Miler history. This follows a forty-year period featuring zero sub-four minute milers in Raleigh, dating back to 1974. Sir Walter Miler has now 47 sub-4 minute miles since its founding in 2014. Eric Avila took third in the race with a time of 3:55.75, completing an Adidas sweep of the podium.

“This was a world-class event, and it had a small town feel with that flair of being some of the best runners in the world – and the best fans in the world,” said Meet Announcer Carrie Tollefson, who was the 29th American female to break the 4:30 barrier.

The night started with the Croc-O-Mile and Run Club 4x400m Relay. First up in the Croc-O-Mile, where all athletes donned Crocs, AJ Tucker took the overall win, and Sarah Rapp took the Women’s win, in 4:35.53 and 5:12.38, respectively. In the Run Club 4x400m relay, the Bond Brothers Beer Co. team won with a time of 4:04.52. They were followed by Runologie and Life Time Cary to round out the podium.

The event also featured Pre and Post race parties hosted within walking distance of the track at Raleigh Brewing Company. Wicked Weed Brewing (Summer of Miles Pale Ale) and Raleigh Brewing (Sir Sandman Kolsch) which brewed exclusive, runner-friendly beers to raise money for the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. The event also featured Bo’s Kitchen and Tacos Mama Chava food trucks in the Raleigh Brewing parking lot as well.

On Saturday Morning, the “Rise and Run with the Pros” at Umstead Park will allow anyone to run a few miles with the Elite Athletes featured in the Sir Walter Miler. The event is free and Rise Cameron Village will be providing complimentary Biscuits and ElliptiGO will be offering demo rides. More information on these events can be found at SirWalterMiler.com

Sponsors of the 2019 Sir Walter Miler are Waverly Hematology Oncology, The Bone and Joint Surgery Clinic, USATF North Carolina, Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance, Wicked Weed Brewing, Athletic Brewing Co., Sanctuary Vineyards, ElliptiGO, Arrow Haircuts, Gregory Poole Equipment Company, JDL Fast Track, and Rise Cameron Village.

The Sir Walter Miler is directed and promoted by Sir Walter Running, a Raleigh-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to “bring the Greater Raleigh running community together through innovation, activation, and inclusivity.” Sir Walter Running is a USATF club that produces the Pop Up Miles series, the Raleigh RunDown Downhill Mile, the Raleigh Half Marathon, Pop Up Cross Country at Dix Park, a series of Strava Challenges, including the Tour de Walter, and the Summer of Miles podcast.