Press Release: Initial Elite Fields set for 2021 Sir Walter Miler

Initial Elite Fields set for 2021 Sir Walter Miler

July 16, 2021 – Raleigh, North Carolina – Sir Walter Running is excited to announce the initial Men’s and Women’s Elite Fields for the 2021 Sir Walter Miler, which will be held in its traditional First Friday spot of Friday, August 6, 2021. The event will move from Meredith College to Cardinal Gibbons High School for 2021; the place where the event got its start in 2013, with the Sandman Mile, an event where Sir Walter Running Co-Founder, Sandy Roberts, took aim at the sub 4:00 mile.

“It is with much anticipation that we return to the place where the Sir Walter Miler got its start. Cardinal Gibbons has a long tradition of great performances on its grounds, and we know this years Miler will be no different!,” said Roberts.

The 2021 Elite fields may have the strongest resumes to date, with past Olympians, National Champions, and Local Legends alike traveling to Raleigh for the event.

Elly Henes was the first Elite female athlete announced this year. Henes ran locally for Green Hope High School, and then NC State, where she just won the 2021 NCAA 5000 meter National Championship. Henes then competed at the Olympic Trials, where she finished 6th in the 5000 meters, and has since signed a professional contract to run for adidas. She will move to Flagstaff, Arizona to train under Coach Mike Smith after the Miler. She was recently on the Summer of Miles podcast to discuss that, and her impressions of the event, as an attendee, and now a participant.

“I love how personal it can be. And afterwards, you can meet the athletes. That’s been big for me in the past. My friends will be there and that means so much to me,” said Henes.

On the Men’s side, North Carolina fan favorite and 3:51 miler, Craig Engels, leads the strong field that will challenge Lopez Lomong’s 3:53.86 event record. 2015 Miler Winner Robby Andrews will pace the field, looking to pull as many men as possible under the 4:00 barrier, including high schooler Rheinhardt Harrison.

After being a big hit amongst fans and athletes alike in 2019, Sir Walter Running is excited to again announce Carrie Tollefson as the on-field announcer for the event. Tollefson represented the United States in the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece, and now hosts the popular C Tolle Run podcast, along with a busy broadcasting schedule.

The 2021 Sir Walter Miler weekend will again consist of events from Thursday through Saturday, starting with the “Eat with the Pros” Athlete Dinner on Thursday. On Friday, the Pre and Post Party will take place at Raleigh Brewing Company, then the Sir Walter Miler be at Friday night at Cardinal Gibbons High School. In addition to the Elite Miles, the Run Club 4×400 Meter Relay, as well as the debut of the COROS Coaches Clash, an event where local Coaches will represent their programs in a mile race. Saturday will bring the “Run with the Pros” at Umstead Park on Saturday Morning, and then the Raleigh RunDown Downhill Mile that evening on Centennial Parkway, followed by an afterparty and Men’s Olympic Marathon Watch Party at Trophy Brewing on Maywood.

Eat with the Pros and Very Important Spectator packages are available.

The Sir Walter Miler is free for the public to attend. More information is available at sirwaltermiler.com

2021 Initial Sir Walter Miler Elite Women’s Field

• Elly Henes, adidas
• Rebecca Mehra, Oiselle
• Gabbi Jennings, adidas
• Leah Falland, On Athletics Club
• Nikki Hiltz, adidas
• Sara Vaughn, &Mother
• Josette Norris, Reebok Boston TC
• Abbey Cooper, New Balance
• Sammy George, Tracksmith
• Sage Hurta, On Athletics Club
• Amanda Eccleston, Brooks Running
• Emily Infeld, Nike Bowerman TC
• Grace Barnett, Mammoth TC
• Eleanor Fulton
• Michaela Meyer
• Emily Richards, HOKA ONE ONE (Pacer)

2021 Initial Sir Walter Miler Elite Men’s Field

• Rheinhardt Harrison
• Eric Avila, adidas
• Isaiah Harris, NIKE
• Craig Engels, NIKE
• Johnny Gregorek, ASICS
• Waleed Suliman, Brooks Beasts
• Dan Michalski, NIKE
• Sam Prakel, adidas
• Geordie Beamish, On Athletics Club
• Charles Philibert-Thiboutot, New Balance
• Joey Berriatua, Tinman Elite / adidas
• John Reniewicki, Under Armour
• Ian Ritchie, Central Park TC Tracksmith
• Mick Stanovsek – Melbourne University TC
• Vincent Ciattei – NIKE Oregon Track Club Elite
• Robby Andrews, adidas (Pacer)

Sponsors of the 2021 Sir Walter Miler are Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance, COROS, North Raleigh Family Eyecare, ElliptiGO, Athletic Brewing Co., Arrow Haircuts,  JDL Fast Track, and LMNT.

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, the Greenway 20k, the Neuse River Relay, Pop Up Cross Country at Dix Park, a series of Strava Challenges, including the Tour de Walter, and the Summer of Miles podcast.

Contact: Pat Price sirwalterrunning@gmail.com 919-783-7660