Press Release: Olympians’ records go down as 2024 Sir Walter Miler won in record times

Olympians’ records go down as 2024 Sir Walter Miler won in record times

American women Sage Hurta-Klecker (4:19.89) and Heather MacLean (4:20.45) go to 7th and 9th on the all-time US list.

RALEIGH, N.C. –  Unseasonably cool weather spurred both the Men’s and Women’s fields to the fastest times in the meets 11-year history. A large crowd attended the annual event and lined the homestretch with signs and cheers, many for North Carolina-native, Craig Engels, who completed his fourth Sir Walter Miler in 3:53.99,  and then took photos with fans for nearly an hour.

In the Women’s race, coming off a recent streak of fast 800 meter races, Puma Elite’s Dorcus Ewoi stormed down the homestretch for the win in a Sir Water Miler-record time of 4:19.71, breaking Nikki Hiltz’s previous record of 4:21.89 from 2022. Ewoi was followed closely by On Athletics Club’s Sage Hurta-Klecker, whose personal record run of 4:19.89 was just under the recently announced 2025 World Championship Standard of 4:19.90. Hurta-Klecker’s time was the 7th fastest all-time by an American. Rounding out the podium was New Balance Boston’s Heather MacLean, who also ran a person best of 4:20.41. MacLean’s time was the 9th fastest all-time by an American.

“The crowd tonight was incredible. It really gives you the momentum to keep going,” said an excited Ewoi after the race to Runnerspace’s Chris Nickinson. Ewoi broke 4:30 in the mile for the first time in the process. “My goal was to stay with everybody and at the end, kick. And I won!”

In the Men’s race, Brooks Beasts Track Club’s Waleed Suliman took the win in a personal best time of 3:51.86, breaking Yared Nuguse’s previous record of 3:53.34 from 2022. Suliman was noticeably excited coming down the homestretch, once the win had been secured. “It feels really good. It’s my first win as a pro. I’ve been a pro for three years and you don’t get many chances to win at this level.”

Suliman was followed closely by Under Armour’s Festus Lagat, who repeated his runner-up finish from 2022 with a new personal best time of 3:52.63. Rounding out the podium was New Balance Boston’s Sam Gilman, who had the biggest improvement on his personal best in the field, running 3:52.81, improving on his previous mark of 3:59.21 by almost seven seconds.

“The electric environment yet again proved that this is one of the best places in the country to run a fast mile,” said C0-Meet Director, Sandy Roberts.

Sponsors of the 2024 Sir Walter Miler are Dr. Mark Graham & Dr. Laneta Dorflinger, Think Promotional Group, Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance, Nike, Maurten, Puma, Puma Elite, Arrow, On, Athletic Brewing Co., Sanctuary Vineyards, Trophy Brewing Co.,  ChicknLegs, LMNT, and Runologie.

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 (Holiday) Half Marathon, the Tour de Walter, and the aforementioned Summer of Miles podcast.

Women’s Elite Mile (Race Video on YouTube)

1. Dorcus Ewoi – Puma / Puma Elite – 4:19.71$*^ ($7200)
2. Sage Hurta-Klecker – OAC – 4:19.89 ($1700)
3. Heather MacLean – New Balance / New Balance Boston – 4:20.41 ($1400)
4. Eleanor Fulton – 4:24.87 ($850)
5. Christina Aragon – Nike Bowerman TC – 4:27.74* ($600)
6. Jenn Randall – Oregon Track Club – 4:28.18 ($300)
7. Abby Nichols – HOKA NAZ Elite – 4:30.59
8. Allie Buchalski – Brooks Beasts TC – 4:30.68
9. Lindsey Butler – 4:31.95
10. Flomena Asekol – 4:32.70
11. Alexina Teubel – 4:37.35
12. Amaris Tyynismaa – 4:39.75
13. Jess McGorty – Puma / Puma Elite – 4:47.16

*First time sub-4:30
$Meet Record
^State Record

Men’s Elite Mile (Race Video on YouTube)

1. Waleed Suliman – Brooks Beasts TC – 3:51.89$^ ($4600)
2. Festus Lagat – Under Armour – 3:52.63 ($1700)
3. Sam Gilman – New Balance Boston – 3:52.81 ($1400)
4. Sean McGorty – Nike Bowerman TC – 3:53.00 ($1100)
5. Paul Ryan – adidas – 3:53.57 ($900)
6. Kasey Knevelbaard – Under Armour – 3:53.64 ($800)
7. Jack Anstey – Under Armour – 3:53.84 ($500)
8. Craig Engels – Nike – 3:53.99 ($500)
9. Mick Stanovsek – Puma / Puma Elite – 3:54.11 ($250)
10. Athanas Kioko – On – 3:56.09
11. Amon Kemboi – Puma / Puma Elite – 3:58.94
12. Eric Holt – Puma / Empire Elite – 4:02.13
13. Tim Haughton – 4:03.97
14. Tanner Maier – Minnesota Distance Elite – 4:05.50

$Meet Record
^State Record

Full Results (courtesy of Blue Ridge Timing)

Finish photo courtesy of Jason Honeycutt