McGee becomes first to achieve Sir Walter Miler and Falmouth Elite Mile double in the same year, Thompson prevails in first professional outdoor mile race

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

Cory McGee became the first female athlete to win the Aetna Falmouth Elite Mile and Sir Walter Miler in the same year, securing her first victory at the 24th edition of the former Saturday at Falmouth High’s James T. Kalperis Track in Falmouth, Mass.

McGee, a New Balance professional, clocked 4 minutes, 29.51 seconds to prevail over Bring Back The Mile Grand Prix Series leader and ASICS professional Heather Kampf (4:31.24) and three-time Falmouth Elite Mile winner and Brooks Beasts athlete Katie Mackey (4:31.69).

Nike Bowerman Track Club member Josh Thompson won his first professional outdoor mile race in 3:58.39, holding off Brooks Beasts athlete David Ribich (3:59.78) and reigning U.S. 1-mile road champion Tripp Hurt (4:00.57).

After four events in the Bring Back The Mile Series Grand Prix, Kampf leads the women’s standings with 26 points, followed by Eleanor Fulton – fourth Saturday in 4:32.49 – with 16 points and four athletes, including McGee, with 10 points.

On the men’s side, after four events, Hurt remains in front with 24 points, followed by Daniel Herrera – fourth Saturday in 4:00.86 – with 20 points and three individuals, including Thompson, tied for third with 10 points.

The series concludes Oct. 6 with the fifth installment of The Navy Mile on Pennsylvania Avenue in the nation’s capital.

Following a disqualification in the women’s 1,500 meters at the Toyota USATF Outdoor Championships, McGee has rebounded in impressive fashion, capturing her first Sir Walter Miler title Aug. 2 in 4:27.87, followed by achieving the Olympic standard in the 1,500 by taking second Aug. 10 in a personal-best 4:04.14 in the Brave Like Gabe at the third annual Ed Murphey Classic in Tennessee.

After finishing 12th overall in the 1,500 on July 9 at the inaugural Sunset Tour event at Azusa Pacific University, followed by an eighth-place finish July 19 at Stumptown Twilight at Lewis and Clark College, Thompson elevated to third July 28 in the 1,500 at the USATF Outdoor Championships.

Thompson’s performance Saturday in his first outdoor mile was just off his indoor personal-best 3:58.32 from Feb. 9 at the David Hemery Valentine Invitational at Boston University.