Posted: August 22, 2005

Athletics: Alan Webb to Run 2005 Continental Airlines Fifth Avenue Mile

The world's most famous road mile returns to New York City

NEW YORK - (August 18, 2005) - America's star miler, Alan Webb, will run in the 2005 Continental Airlines Fifth Avenue Mile Powered by "Four Minutes", an ESPN2 Film, on Saturday, September 24, it was announced by New York Road Runners.

Webb joined New York Road Runners president and CEO Mary Wittenberg to make the special announcement via teleconference from Zurich, Switzerland, where he is preparing to run in the Weltklasse 1500 meters on Friday evening. Also on the call was veteran miler and the American record-holder for the distance, Steve Scott.

The Continental Airlines Fifth Avenue Mile debuted in 1981 and is widely considered the world's most famous city mile road race. The list of past champions reads like a who's who of distance running, including Paula Radcliffe, Sydney Maree, John Walker, Steve Scott and Mary Slaney.

"Alan Webb is a major international force as a mile and 1500 meter runner," said Wittenberg. "As we bring back the Continental Airlines Fifth Avenue Mile to its old glory, I can't imagine a better athlete to lead the way."

"I can't wait to run in the footsteps of the great milers like Steve Scott, John Walker and Peter Elliott, and to get a chance to break the tape at the Continental Airlines Fifth Avenue Mile," said Webb. "I'm excited to see a great tradition come back, and I'm very motivated. It should be a great race."

Webb, 22, of Reston, Va., finished ninth in the 2005 IAAF World Championships 1500 meters last week and posted an impressive 3:48.92 in the Bislett Games Dream Mile in Oslo, Norway, on July 29, becoming the 4th fastest American miler all-time. He represented the United States at the 2004 Olympics in Athens after winning the 2004 U.S. Olympic Trials 1500 meters.

Joining Webb on the starting line will be Rui Silva of Portugal, the bronze medalist in the 1500 meters at the 2004 Olympics and the 2005 IAAF World Championships; and Craig Mottram of Australia, the bronze medalist in the 5000 meters at the recent World Championships. The women's field will be lead by two-time U.S. Olympian Shayne Culpepper of Louisville, Colo., 2004 U.S. Olympian Carrie Tollefson of St. Paul, Minn. and former NCAA All-American Amy Mortimer of West Roxbury, Mass.

In addition to the professional races, which start at 1:20pm for the women and 1:35pm for the men, there will be wheelchair and age-group races starting at 10:00am.

The Continental Airlines Fifth Avenue Mile is presented this year by "Four Minutes", an ESPN Original Entertainment movie that tells the inspiring true story of Roger Bannister, who broke the four-minute barrier in the mile on May 6, 1954 - a feat that was previously considered insurmountable. Based on a screenplay by award-winning journalist, author and sports commentator Frank Deford, "Four Minutes" will premiere Thursday, October 6, at 7:00pm EDT on ESPN2, and stars Christopher Plummer as Coach Archie Mason and Jamie MachLachlan as Roger Bannister.

New York Road Runners
New York Road Runners, soon to celebrate its 50th anniversary, is dedicated to promoting the sport of distance running and enhancing health and fitness for all. Our road races and other fitness programs draw upwards of 300,000 runners annually, and together with our magazine and Web site support and promote professional and recreational running. A staff of 60, assisted by thousands of volunteers, stages the ING New York City Marathon, as well as a road race nearly every weekend plus many track and cross country events. NYRR's home base in New York, and its lifelong identification with Central Park, have given many of its events iconic status, attracting the world's top professional runners. For more information, visit: NYRR.org.