What's Holding Back a New U.S. Mile Record?

[Steele]

Article on front page by Ian O'Riordan lamenting(?) the 40th anniversary of the Irish men's mile record by Ray Flynn. One could pose the same question about the U.S. men's mile. If not for one A. Webb in 2007, the U.S. men's mile record would date from the exact same race as the Irish record, that race being won by Steve Scott in 3:47.69, wherein he could almost reach out and proverbially touch Seb Coe's jersey in Coe's WR race if the two were overlaid.

40 years and only one U.S. athlete ran faster one time? Six of the top ten times are from the 80s. Yes, the 1500 has displaced the mile on the world scene. Is that the reason?

In the U.S. men's 1500 list, the first three times are by transplanted citizens, and only four U.S. born runner have ever broken 3:31, none under 3:30. Heck, Steve Scott is 66, and owns the # 2 time in U.S. history!

Shoes-better. Tracks-better. Nutrition-better. Training/knowledge-better. Money-better. So, what's holding a new record back?

[DET59]

When I was a kid Jim Ryan was a big deal, nationally, as a sportsman. Almost a household name like Willie Mays, Johnny Unitas, Arnold Palmer. A gsneration that includes Steve Scott were inspired.

Then T&F imploded in a drug-induced suicide attempt.

Probably the best potential miler/1500 runner for '32 Olympics is playing soccer or another sport, He sure isn't going to be discovered in Middle School PE as most kids never "suit up" in full gym clothes and go out to do something strenuous like run all-out and be timed.

[NotDutra5]

That's true but ARs have been set in the surrounding men's events. Maybe it's simply having the one athlete that has the ability to do so get through enough healthy to get it done as guys such as Fisher, Jager, Brazier, Rupp have done in the other events.

[Atticus]

So, what's holding a new record back?

Just time. It will come when it's ready.
[How's that for Zen?]

[gh]

..... So, what's holding a new record back?

as much as anything, a dearth of high-end mile competitions.

[NotDutra5]

gh makes a good point. When was the last time anyone ran under Webb's AR? I'm not sure anyone has and most of the performances which are under Webb's records are from the late1990's/early 2000's.

[Davidokun]

When was the last time anyone ran under Webb's AR? I'm not sure anyone has and most of the performances which are under Webb's records are from the late1990's/early 2000's.

Since Webb set the AR, only one faster performance: Ingebrigtsen 3:46.46 in Oslo this year. The other 15 faster performances occurred between 1985 and 2001.

[bad hammy]

as much as anything, a dearth of high-end mile competitions.

Usually at least once a year at Pre, which is normally early in the year. Maybe they'll run the mile or the 1500 at next year's Pre - the 2023 DL Final.

[Bruce Kritzler]

One positive is the number of high schoolers running sub 4 (1600/mile).

[Trickstat]

as much as anything, a dearth of high-end mile competitions.

Outside of Oslo and Eugene, there is a real lack of top-end meets nowadays that include a mile. In the past, there have been mile records set at meets in Brussels, Zurich and Rome. Maybe you might see a few more mileraces if the WR is considered to be under threat but the most likely candidate is Ingebrigtsen, who presumably would prefer to do it in Oslo anyway.

[gh]

Outside of Oslo and Eugene, there is a real lack of top-end meets nowadays that include a mile. In the past, there have been mile records set at meets in Brussels, Zurich and Rome.......

and Koblenz and Rieti, in the sub-3:50 era

[TN1965]

Maybe Americans are finally joining the civilized world and focusing on the right distance. (i.e. 1500m)

[Steele]

...who presumably would prefer to do it in Oslo anyway.

He could do a lot worse.

[Trickstat]

and Koblenz and Rieti, in the sub-3:50 era

Yes, but I was focusing on places that have Diamond Leagues.

[bobguild76]

Maybe Americans are finally joining the civilized world and focusing on the right distance. (i.e. 1500m)

Unfortunately, the high school sub-4's and the pros running 1500 have not yet translated into Americans running sub 3:30 in the 1500. Our best this year was Jonathan Davis at 3:33, 19th on the yearly list. As has been pointed out many times, they need to train for and run more DL type races, and get used to going out hard and still finishing well.