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| - When most people think of what can be accomplished in 4 minutes, running a mile isn't on the list of possibilities. On Friday, however, a dozen men capable of running a mile in 4 minutes or under will line up on Penn Avenue for the Liberty Mile road race, along with six women who can run the distance in 4:30 or faster. It is the strongest field in the history of the race, which Pittsburgh Marathon organizers first produced in 2012. “The only other place you're going to see a field of this caliber is going to be in the Olympic Trials,” P3R CEO Patrice Matamoros said.
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| - When most people think of what can be accomplished in 4 minutes, running a mile isn't on the list of possibilities. On Friday, however, a dozen men capable of running a mile in 4 minutes or under will line up on Penn Avenue for the Liberty Mile road race, along with six women who can run the distance in 4:30 or faster. It is the strongest field in the history of the race, which Pittsburgh Marathon organizers first produced in 2012. “The only other place you're going to see a field of this caliber is going to be in the Olympic Trials,” P3R CEO Patrice Matamoros said. The men's field includes 2014 winner and two-time runner-up Jordan McNamara, who edged Olympic silver medalist Leo Manzano for the victory last year with a time of 4:02.93. McNamara, whose personal record in the distance is 3:50.91, will be up against competition that includes Oregon Track Club teammates Mac Fleet, whose PR is 3:56.77, and Jack Bolas, the defending Bring Back the Mile Tour champion whose PR is 3:53.50. Also returning are the defending women's champion, Gabriele Grunewald, and two-time winner Heather Kampf. Both have personal bests of 4:21. The race, which begins between Fifth Avenue and Sixth Street on Penn Avenue and finishes at Sixth Street and Liberty Avenue, features a total prize purse worth $25,000 and includes several events over the course of the evening. The race begins with the One for Fun wave for all ages and all abilities, the Pup Trot and the team challenge (7 p.m.). That will be followed by the Kids of Steel wave and the Run 1 for Lucas wave (7:25 p.m.), which will include more than 150 participants dedicating their run to 2-year-old Lucas Goeller, who recently received a liver transplant. The more competitive events begin with the masters wave (7:50 p.m.), for those 40 and older who can run an 8-minute mile, followed by the Unstoppable wave (8 p.m.), for those running a 6-minute mile. Two-time Pittsburgh Marathon winner Clara Santucci will be running in the Unstoppable wave. The final and most competitive waves of the night are the American Development Pro Women (8:10 p.m.) and Pro Men (8:20 p.m.). Among those competing in the American Development Pro Women's wave will be former Hampton track and cross country standout Elaina Balouris, who will be making her professional debut at the distance. Balouris, who ran at William & Mary, said she's watched the race before and knew she wanted to run it after college. “Just the fact that it's in Pittsburgh, it's my home, and there's just such a great atmosphere for it, I just thought it was a cool environment,” said Balouris, who runs professionally for the Boston Athletic Association but typically at longer distances. “And the mile itself is such a cool distance and really well-respected.” Karen Price is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. Reach her at kprice@tribweb.com or via Twitter @KarenPrice_Trib. Read more: Follow us: @triblive on Twitter | triblive on Facebook
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