The Brit runs 3:44.3, four seconds off Sydney Marie’s 1981 mark, while Carissa Schweitzer equals Laura Muir’s women’s course record.
In September 1981, Sydney Murray finished fifth in the 1500m at the World Cup in Rome, before winning the 5th Avenue Mile in New York later that month in 3:47.52. The South African-born athlete smashed a top-class field that included Steve Crum, Steve Scott, John Walker, Thomas Wessinghage and Eamonn Coughlan by 15 meters and his time will remain the record for 43 years.
The record was eventually broken on Sunday (September 8) by Josh Kerr under very similar circumstances. Like Marie, Kerr finished only fifth in the big 1500m World Class in Zurich Fast forward a few days and Kerr also ran away from his rivals, hitting the front at halfway to win by more than four seconds.
Kerr’s time was 3:44.3 as she broke Marie’s mark. American Josh Hoy finished second in 3:48.9, followed by Kenyan Amon Kemboi in 3:49.3.
Kerr successfully defended his title as he did won in New York 12 months ago with a score of 3:47.9.
“I told the meet director beforehand that I took Sydney Marie’s NCAA (1500m) record from her in 2018 when I was running for the University of New Mexico,” Kerr said. “I know how hard it was when that time was.
“It was a nice, nostalgic moment trying to go for his record today. He is one of the most successful 1500m runners in world history. These are the times I live in.”
Josh Kerr (John Napolitano)
Hobbs Kessler, fifth in the Olympic 1500m, tried to stay with Kerr midway through the race but finished ninth as Britain’s Tom Keane was 10th and Neil Gourley 16th.
Like Kerr, Carissa Schweitzer competed in Zurich a few days ago, placing fourth in the 5,000m in 14:47.50. Here, the American, better known as a 5,000m and 10,000m runner, dominated the roads in her New Balance-sponsored race debut as she equaled Laura Muir’s women’s course record of 4:14.8 to win.
Carissa Schweitzer (John Napolitano)
Kenya’s Dorcas Evoye was second in 4:17.3 with fellow Kenyan Susan Ejore third in 4:18.3 and Britain’s Melissa Courtney-Bryant fourth.
“I feel like I’ve got a new momentum going as the season is really winding down,” Schweitzer said. “But it’s fun to just race and not be pressured in this race. Even like the night before, I was like, oh, maybe I can even beat this thing.”
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