Jenny Simpson Extends Winning Record to Eight-Straight on 5th Avenue, Nick Willis Wins a Record Fifth

By Adam Kopet

Jenny Simpson and New Zealand's Nick Willis won Sunday at the New Balance 5th Avenue Mile, both of them setting records for their number of victories at the event.

RESULTS

Simpson extended her win streak at the 5th Avenue Mile to eight. She also broke the event record with her 4:17 clocking.

Not that Simpson's victory was easy. She was pushed all the way to the line by Elinor Purrior, who finished just behind in an identical time of 4:17.

Early in the race, Nikki Hiltz and Great Britain's Jessica Judd figured prominently, but they faded over the final half mile. Rebecca Mehra moved up to finish third in 4:22. Hiltz and Judd finished fourth and fifth in 4:26 and 4:27, respectively.

The men's race saw Great Britain's Chris O'Hare leading for much of the race after a slow opening. Australia's Morgan McDonald appeared to challenge with a quarter-mile to go, but O'Hare held firm at the front.

Sam Prakel moved up to challenge O'Hare, but it was the fast-finishing Willis who took the victory. Willis seemed to come out of nowhere to nip O'Hare and Prakel at the line in a thrilling finish. All three runners were clocked in 3:52. Willis was the winner, with O'Hare finishing just ahead of Prakel for second and third.

McDonald finished fourth in 3:53. Andy Bayer was fifth in 3:54.

For Willis, this was his fifth 5th Avenue Mile victory, breaking the record he had previously co-owned at four. The race may mark the high point of the season for the 36-year old as he has experienced an up and down year as he tried to make the New Zealand team for the IAAF World Outdoor Championships.