The 12th annual Cigna/Falmouth Mile at Falmouth High School saw 2 fantastic finishes for 2 Osaka World Osaka World p hopefuls.

In a prelude to tommorrow’s historial 35th running of Cape Cod’s Cigna/Falmouth Road Race, tChampionshihe 12th annual Cigna/Falmouth Mile at Falmouth High School saw 2 fantastic finishes for 2 Osaka World p hopefuls.
The men’s mile saw erratic pacing on a cloudless perfect New England Summer day(72F/22C). Anticipating a 2 minute 880 yards on the way to set up a sub 4 minute mile, the rabbit flashed thru 440 yards in a hasty 57.6, then slowing when first time sub 4 minute hopefuly, Brad Lowery(USA) pulled thru 880 yards at 1.59.2

Leading into the penultimate lap, multi NCAA 5km champion Chris Solinsky(USA) took a slight lead over Jonathon Riley(USA) in 3.00.7 with 440 yards remaining. Reilly who has stayed in top shape as the alternate for the USA Men’s 5km team for the World Championships dusted the field with a final lap of 57 to claim his first Cigna/Falmouth Mile and the fastest ever outdoor mile run in the state of Massachusetts in 3.57.07. He was the only man in field to break the historic 4 minute mile.

In the woman’s mile, Three USA World Championship contestants tested themselves over the mile and as in the mens mile it was a strong last lap that the Cigna/Falmouth Mile Champion topped the podium. Racing without any rabbits, the woman passed 440 yards in 71.4 before slowing to 2.25.6(74.5) and 3.34(68.4) before heading into the last lap with 1500m Osaka team member Christine Wurth-Thomas(USA) at the front. NCAA Steeple Champion, Anna Willard(USA) showed some great finishing speed in pipping Wurth-Thomas(USA) for a 63.5 last 440 yards to win uncontested in 4.37.55

1. Anna Willard(USA) 4.37.55
2. Amy Mortimer(USA) 4.38.44
3. Christine Wurth-Thomas(USA) 4.39.11
4. Mary Jayne Harreslon(USA) 4.40.48
5. Anne Shadle(USA) 4.42.18

1. Jonathon Riley(USA) 3.57.07
2. Chris Solinsky(USA) 4.00.10
3. Brad Lowery(USA) 4.02.54