Centrowitz returns to Hayward Field for Bowerman Mile
Centrowitz will have to be on his game to come away with a victory. Of the 18 race entries announced Monday, seven have personal bests better than Centrowitz’s 3:50.53.
By Chris Hansen, The Register-Guard
Matthew Centrowitz made history last summer when he became the first American in more than a century to win an Olympic gold medal in the men’s 1500 meters.
On Saturday, May 27, the former Oregon Duck will return to Hayward Field for the first time since that race in Rio de Janeiro to headline the signature event of the Prefontaine Classic track & field meet — the Bowerman Mile
Ayanleh Souleiman of Djibouti is the fastest of the bunch with a PR of 3:47.32. Kenyans Silas Kiplagat (3:47.88), Asbel Kiprop (3:48.50) and Bethwell Birgen (3:50,42) have also run faster, as has Morocco’s Abdelaati Iguider (3:49.09) and New Zealand’s Nick Willis (3:49.83).
But none could beat Centrowitz at the Summer Games last year. In fact, bronze medalist Willis was the only one who also finished on the podium the night Centrowitz won his gold, matching the medal won by American Mel Sheppard in 1908.
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