Hiltz adds to wins at Liberty Mile and Sir Walter Miler with first career victory at Falmouth, Ryan rebounds from eighth-place effort in Raleigh to achieve another triumph like at Festival of Miles in St. Louis, both earning time bonuses

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

A pair of first-time winners prevailed Saturday at the 26th edition of the Falmouth Elite Mile, with Nikki Hiltz and Paul Ryan earning victories at James Kalperis Track at Falmouth High in Massachusetts.

Hiltz, representing Lululemon, covered the final lap in 62.18 seconds to triumph in 4:28.93, earning the $5,000 prize for the winner, along with a $1,000 time bonus for producing a sub-4:30 effort.

It marked the fastest winning time in the women’s race since 2018.

Hiltz, 27, has strung together three impressive mile performances in the past month, winning the Fleet Feet Liberty Mile in Pittsburgh on July 22 in 4:28, followed by the Sir Walter Miler on Aug. 5 in 4:21.89, the fastest time produced on North Carolina soil.

Kaela Edwards, an adidas athlete, was second in 4:30.55, bringing the field through the midway point in 2:17.95 and still leading at 3:26.49 with a lap remaining.

Carina Viljoen of Mammoth Track Club took third in 4:31.69, Tracksmith athlete Molly Sughroue finished fourth in 4:34.78, with Sadi Henderson of Atlanta Track Club Elite placing fifth in 4:40.24.

Ellie Shea, an incoming junior at Belmont High in Massachusetts, secured sixth in 4:40.58, with former Bryant College standout Melissa Lodge taking seventh in 4:41.10.

Ryan, an adidas competitor, covered the final lap in 55.9 seconds and led six athletes to sub-4 performances in the men’s mile, emerging victorious in 3:55.91.

Ryan, 25, also won $5,000 and earned the time bonus of $1,000 for being the only athlete to achieve a sub-3:56 performance.

He won the HOKA Festival of Miles in June in St. Louis, then placed eighth two weeks earlier at Sir Walter Miler.

Jye Edwards of Australia, who brought the group through halfway in 1:59.93, placed second in 3:56.36.

David Ribich, representing the Brooks Beasts, moved from seventh to third on the final lap, clocking 3:56.68.

Former Drake standout Adam Fogg ran 3:57.04 for fourth, ahead of Under Armour competitor and Australian athlete Jack Anstey in 3:57.35. Rorey Hunter, another Australian athlete, was sixth in 3:57.99.

The most sub-4 performances in meet history remains 10 athletes in 2013.

Marcus Reilly, entering his junior year at Northbridge High in Massachusetts, triumphed in the Tommy Cochary boys high school mile in 4:17.99.

Amelia Everett, an incoming senior at Newton South High won the girls mile in 5:07.19.