Philibert-Thiboutot clocks 3:52.97 to lead three athletes under 2011 standard, becoming first Canadian male athlete to triumph at event since 2002, with British standout Markovc edging Schlachtenhaufen by 4:41.03 to 4:41.05 margin in Massachusetts to complete first international sweep in meet history

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

One of the most significant American summer mile races was highlighted by a strong international presence Saturday as Canadian standout Charles Philibert-Thiboutot and British athlete Amy-Eloise Markovc triumphed at the 25th Falmouth Elite Mile as part of the ASICS Falmouth Track Festival at James T. Kalperis Track at Falmouth High in Massachusetts.

Philibert-Thiboutot thrived despite the hot and humid conditions, leading three athletes under the 2011 meet record by clocking 3 minutes, 52.97 seconds.

American athletes Craig Engels (3:53.97), the 2017 and 2018 winner, and Johnny Gregorek (3:54.01) also ran faster than the previous all-time mark of 3:54.89 by Jordan McNamara a decade ago.

Six athletes overall achieved sub-4 performances, including Americans Brett Meyer (3:56.18), steeplechase Olympian Mason Ferlic (3:58.13) and Craig Nowak (3:59.90).

The women’s race was much more tactical, with Markovc – who competed for Great Britain in the 5,000-meter prelims at the Tokyo Olympics – rallying to edge American Helen Schlachtenhaufen by a 4:41.03 to 4:41.05 margin. American Taryn Rawlings took third in 4:41.69, with Schlachtenhaufen placing runner-up for the second time in the past four years.

Former Notre Dame and Columbia standout Katie Wasserman finished fourth in 4:43.78 in her first race since a runner-up performance in the 5,000-meter final June 12 at the NCAA Division 1 Championships.

The women’s meet record of 4:25.27 achieved by Suzy Favor Hamilton has stood since 2002.

Markovc and Philibert-Thiboutot both earned $5,000 for their victories, producing the first international sweep in event history, with the Canadian competitor adding a $1,500 bonus for eclipsing the meet record. Philibert-Thiboutot also became the first Canadian athlete to win at Falmouth since Nicole Sifuentes prevailed in the women’s race in 2010 and 2011.

Kevin Sullivan was the only other Canadian male athlete to secure a Falmouth victory in 2002.

In the Tommy Cochary High School Mile races, recent Brookline High graduate Myles Liss-Riordan returned from a stress fracture in his left shin to emerge victorious in the boys competition in 4:23.49, with rising Northbridge sophomore Marcus Reilly placing second in 4:24.53.

Rory Clare, a rising senior at Wellesley High, prevailed in the girls race in 5:08.29, with recent Walpole graduate Mia Costa finishing second in 5:09.87.

The 49th edition of the ASICS Falmouth Road Race, a 7-mile event that stretches from Woods Hole to Falmouth Heights Ball Park, is scheduled for Sunday, with the women’s elite runners starting at 8:50 a.m. EDT, followed by the men’s elite competitors at 9 a.m.