Brasov, 5 September 2023 (for immediate release): Some of Europe’s top men’s middle-distance runners will be in action and chasing a European record at the Brasov Running Festival’s European Road Mile this coming Saturday (9 September).
The road mile became an official record event at the start of 2023 and the fastest European time on a record-legal course dates back to 1975 when Sweden’s Ulf Hogberg ran 3:57.1 in London.
However, this could be within the grasp of the fastest man in the men’s field is Andrew Coscoran, who reduced the Irish 1500m record to 3:30.42 in July.
Also looking to become Ireland’s first European record holder for more than 22 years – Sonia O’Sullivan having held the women’s 3000m record between 1994 and 2002 – will be Coscoran’s compatriot and Irish 5000m record holder Brian Fay, who ran a 3:52.03 mile indoors (on an oversized track) in January,
Italy’s Mohad Abdikadar Sheik Ali, who reduced his 1500m personal best to 3:33.79 in Padova on Sunday, will also be one to watch.
Considerable interest will also be generated by the presence of the Netherlands’ 20-year-old Stefan Nillessen, who was an impressive winner of the European U23 1500m title last month.
In addition to a first prize of US$1000, there is a European record bonus of US$2000 on offer to the first man across the line.
The European Road Mile elite field with 1500m (and, where relevant, mile) personal bests is:
Men
Andrew Coscoran (IRL) 3:30.42 NR / 3:53.64i Mohad Abdikadar Sheik Ali (ITA) 3:33.79
Robin Van Riel (NED) 3:37.17
Giovanni Filippi (ITA) 3:37.50
Maximilian Feist (GER) 3:37.82
Brian Fay (IRL) 3:38.39 / 3:52.03i (oversized) Sam Blake (AUS - guest) 3:38.43
Ibrahim Erata (TUR) 3:38.53
Garrett O' Toole (USA- guest) 3:39.23
Stefan Nillessen (NED) 3:39.34
Yervand Mkrtchyan (ARM) 3:39.35 NR
Stephen Masindet (KEN - pace) 3:40.85
In addition, there will be an international women’s race as part of the Brasov Running Festival on Saturday evening.
“With the Road Mile becoming a recognised record event, we have deliberately constructed a fast, record-eligible course and have brought many of Europe’s top middle-distance runners to Brasov because they want to write their name in the history books,” commented Race Organiser Daniel Santa.
The European Road Mile will take place in the heart of Brasov, a historic and picturesque Transylvanian city which can date its origins back to the 13th century, and which is widely considered to have some of the most beautiful architecture in central Europe.
All the races at the Brasov Running Festival over the weekend of 9- 10 September 2023 will take place against a backdrop of the nearby towering Carpathian Mountains,