USA vs. New Zealand Battle Looms in Queen Street Golden Mile
Craig Miller leads American contingent for Sunday, April 6 downhill road Mile in New Zealand
The Queen Street Golden Mile takes place this Sunday as part of the Barfoot & Thompson ITU World Triathlon Auckland with the elite races supported by age group Mile options and a Celebrity Queen Street Mile.
At past editions, legends John Walker (NZL) clocked a 3:33.93, Steve Scott (USA) ran it in 3:29.44 and Mike Boit (KEN) still holds the Guinness World Record of the fastest human over the measured Mile distance with a screaming 3:28.36 down Auckland’s Queen Street in 1983.
The 2014 elite men’s field includes current and recently crowned 2014 New Zealand 1500m champion Hamish Carson and the 2012 USA Road Mile champion Craig Miller.
Carl Jackson from Athletics New Zealand will be in the commentary team on Sunday and is excited about the prospect of one of New Zealand’s best up-and-comers taking on the international field.
“It is exciting to see an International field compete here in Auckland for the Queen St. Golden Mile. The showdown between the recently crowned 2014 New Zealand 1500m champion Hamish Carson and the 2012 USA Road Mile champion Craig Miller will be a highlight, and should ensure a great battle down to the wire down at the wharf, with Carson known for his strong kick in the latter stages of races.”
Miller will be joined by fellow American Mark Husted along with promising Australian Junior star Luke Matthews. The Kiwis looking to get on the podium as well as Carson include Malcolm Hicks and Tim Cornish.
Miller has already clocked some impressive times this season, running a personal best indoor 3:55 for a Mile in New York in February and a 7:49 indoor 3000m also in February, suggesting he is in great shape heading to Auckland and will be tough to beat.
Elite and Celebrity races take place down Queen Street in between the elite triathlons as part of the Barfoot & Thompson ITU World Triathlon Auckland event, making for an amazing day of spectating and engagement for what are expected to be large crowds in the inner city and downtown CBD course. The celebrities race at 2:30pm and elite men race at 3:00pm.
The Celebrity Mile should also have the crowds cheering their favourites down the famous stretch of New Zealand real estate, with familiar faces from TV, sport and even local body politics lacing up the running shoes.
Find the complete field and more at: www.scoop.co.nz
