Eric Avila

Birthday: 10/03/89 Mile PR: 3:55.43 - 2018
Metric Mile (1500m) PR: 3:35.60 - 2021
High School: Bonita Vista HS '07
Hometown: Chula Vista, CA
College: Southern Oregon University ‘14
Current Residence: San Diego, CA

Eric Avila won the 2021 USATF 1 Mile Road Championships hosted by the Grand Blue Mile, clocking 3:59.0 for his first national title, and in late June, Eric placed 7th at the U.S. Olympic Trials 1500 meters in 3:38.20.

In late February 2019, he finished runner-up at the USA Indoor 2 Mile Championship. 

In 2018, Eric had a breakout year. In February, he won the Millrose Games Invite Mile, clocking 3:57.45. At the USA Road Mile Championships in April, he was national runner-up, and few days later, he won the Drake Relays Hy-Vee Mile in 3:58.81. In August, Avila won the Ed Murphey Memphis Mile, shattering the Tennessee state record with his 3:55.43 personal record in a thrilling race. He also finished runner-up in the BBTM Grand Prix Tour 2018 and produced the men's Tour performance of the year.

At Southern Oregon University, Avila was 4-time national champion and 6-time All-American.

FUN FACT: Eric has earned an Eagle Scout medal & badge.

@AvilaEricc

News

Hiltz, Murphy win adidas Boost Boston Games road Mile

May 23, 2021

"Felt great to be able to close down the last 400, and finish with some confidence 4 weeks out from Trials."

WATERTOWN, Mass. - The 2021 adidas Boost Boston Games kicked off with middle distance action Sunday morning at Watertown outside the city center. The nation’s fastest high schoolers...

Read More comments

Avila, Schneider Capture USATF 1 Mile Road Championship Crowns

April 21, 2021

First time national titlists pocket $3000 each in Des Moines; $15,000 overall awarded to the top 10

From Drake Relays

DES MOINES, Iowa — In exciting races, rising stars Eric Avila and Rachel Schneider captured the USATF 1 Mile Road Championships presented by Toyota Wednesday night on the...

Read More comments

Focus on the U.S. Men’s 1500 Scene

April 02, 2021

Whoever shows up on the starting line at Hayward Field, rest assured the guys will put on a great show at the U.S. Olympic Trials

By Jeff Hollobaugh, Track & Field News

It's not outlandish to project that one of the most-anticipated events at June’s U.S. Olympic Trials will be the men’s 1500....

Read More comments

A Day in the Life: Eric Avila

April 11, 2019

"We value recovery. If you’re tired, there’s a reason. If you don’t have it today, go home."

From Runner's World / adidas

Here's a movie pitch for you: A late-blooming high school state champion goes to college, gets arrested, flunks out, labors as a landscaper, gets a second chance, earns...

Read More comments

Avila, Osika set Tennessee records at Ed Murphey Memphis Mile

August 26, 2018

BBTM Grand Prix Tour 2018 fourth stop awards $19,500; next stop Minnesota Mile on Friday, September 7

By Taylor Dutch, Runner's World

The second annual Ed Murphey Memphis Mile saw two Tennessee records fall under the lights Saturday night at Christian Brothers High School in Memphis. Both...

Read More comments

Masters, Lipari Win First USA Titles at Grand Blue Mile

April 24, 2018

9th event edition awards $25,000 national championship purse; first stop on the BBTM Grand Prix #Tour2018

From Drake Relays

DES MOINES, Iowa – In down-to-the-wire exciting finishes, Riley Masters and Emily Lipari bested their respective fields to win the 9th Grand Blue Mile, the USATF 1 Mile...

Read More comments

Avila Finds Redemption, First Sub-4 Mile, at Jim Ryun Meet

June 06, 2014

“My hope is this will be the genesis of things to come. We’ve started a little spark that could grow into a fire — and grow the sport back.” - Jim Ryun

By Ken Stone, Times of San Diego

Chula Vista native Eric Avila pointed to the crowd on the homestretch and leaped as he crossed the finish...

Read More comments

Return the Mile to prominence on the American & worldwide sports and cultural landscape by elevating and celebrating the Mile to create a movement.

ELEVATE
Bring Back the Mile as the premier event in the sport, and increase interest in and media coverage of the Mile for both those who love the distance as well as the general public.

CELEBRATE
Bring Back the Mile to celebrate the storied distance and to recognize the people who made and make the Mile great and to promote Mile events and the next generation of U.S. Milers.

NATIONAL MOVEMENT
Bring Back the Mile to create a national movement for the Mile as America’s Distance,
to inspire Americans to run the Mile as part of their fitness program and to replace the 1600 meters at High School State Track & Field Meets across the country.

Become a Mile Maniac member or a BBTM sponsor today! Join us, and go Mile!

Join Us

Thanks for joining the movement and being a Mile Maniac. We'll keep you up to-date with our Mile wires as well as exclusive contests and opportunities. Help us spread the word by sharing our site and joining us on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram!