Olympic champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi delivered a commanding performance at the Adizero Road to Records event in Herzogenaurach, Germany, on Saturday, winning the men’s mile but falling just short of breaking the world record.
Wanyonyi clocked 3:52.45 to take first place, missing the long-standing world record of 3:43.13 — set by Moroccan legend Hicham El Guerrouj — by just nine seconds.
The 20-year-old Kenyan edged out Americans Hobbs Kesler (3:54.34) and Nico Young (3:54.50), who settled for second and third, respectively.
This was Wanyonyi’s second appearance at the annual event, having made his debut last year with a winning time of 3:54.6. The world 800m silver medalist has been in fine form this season, with Saturday marking his fourth outing of the year.
Earlier this month, he triumphed in the men’s 1500m at the Grand Slam Series opener in Kingston, Jamaica, clocking 3:35.18, and later secured second in the men’s 800m in 1:46.44.
Chepchirchir Dominates Women’s Mile Again
In the women’s race, Kenya’s Nelly Chepchirchir successfully defended her title with a dominant run, crossing the line in 4:23.99. She finished comfortably ahead of Ethiopia’s Abera Hawi (4:26.83) and American Addison Wiley (4:31.49).
Chepchirchir improved significantly on her winning time from last year, where she clocked 4:31.0 in the same event.
