The Dream Mile: Oslo’s tradition continues – Samsung Diamond League

Oslo, Norway – The ExxonMobil Bislett Games will again host the time honoured “Dream Mile” when the Samsung Diamond League heads to Oslo on 9 June for the second sector of the European tour.

The Dream Mile has become a Bislett tradition and this year’s field will again provide not only an intriguing competitive contest but also an opportunity for athletes to achieve some really fast times in one of the oldest recognised distances on the schedule.

Of the sixty nine World records/bests at Bislett stadium, four have been established in the Mile and another three at 1500m …… a healthy percentage of the overall total. However, it is the names of previous competitors and winners that evoke the fondest memories of great mile races at Bislett. Names like Coe, Cram, Ovett, Aouita, Walker, Morcelli, El Guerrouj and Cacho spring to mind, along with recent stars Kiprop and Lagat.

A look at the World All-Time list gives quick indication of just how many quality Mile times have been established in the Dream Mile. From the top 50 performances of all time in the mile a staggering 36% of those times have occurred in the Oslo’s Bislett stadium.

This year’s race will further enhance the tradition of the “Dream Mile”. Kenya’s Olympic 1500m champion Asbel Kiprop returns to defend his “title” but he will be given no easy passage as the challengers will be coming thick & fast.  Young Kenyan Nixon Chepseba has won two Samsung Diamond League meets so far this season and has his sights set on closing in on Noah Ngeny’s national record of 3:43.40, which is the second fastest performance of all time.

The world’s fastest 1500m runners from last season Silas Kiplagat of Kenya ( 3:29.27) and Morocco’s Amine Laalou (3:29.53 ) will both be looking for new personal bests well under three minutes and fifty seconds. Laalou was particularly impressive at the Penn Relays where his fast finishing Mile leg took Morocco to a surprise victory. Another Kenyan, William Biwott Tanui returns to the track where two years ago he established a new World Junior Mile record of 3:49.29.  

Previous winner Briton Andy Baddeley and rising Australian talent Jeff Riseley will all be toeing the start line looking for seriously fast times. That should be ensured by the challenging pace set by Collins Cheboi of Kenya. Cheboi recently returned to the Samsung Diamond League circuit in fine form after winning one of the oldest races on all calendars, the “Herb Hederman” Mile at Australia’s Stawell Easter Carnival.

Organisers