News26 Jan 2009


German Fernandez runs fastest ever junior indoor Mile

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German Fernandez running in the junior race at the World XC in Edinburgh (© AFP / Getty Images)

German Fernandez an 18old from the USA on Saturday (24) at the Razorback Invitational in Fayetteville, Arkansas, ran 3:56.50, the fastest ever indoor Mile race by a junior athlete in history.

The previous fastest junior indoor Mile was run by Kenya’s Boaz Lalang who clocked 3:58.34, also in Fayetteville at the Tyson Invitational meet on 15 February 2008. Prior to that time another Kenyan Geoffrey Rono had run 3:58.60 in New York on 21 January 2006.

In recent years a resurgence has occurred in the fortunes of American distance running with the likes of Ryan Hall, Dathan Ritzenhein, and Alan Webb leading the way. Notably, Webb in 2001 became the first high school athlete to break 4 minutes indoors (3:59.86) and outdoors (3:53.43). Now a new prodigy has appeared in the form of Fernandez of Oklahoma State University.

Fernandez made his first big impression in 2008 in what was his final high school year, and has now stepped up into the collegiate competition. Despite a DNF next to his name at the NCAA Division 1 Cross Country Championships in November due to an injury sustained in the race, Fernandez came back with a vengeance this past Saturday winning the Mile in an incredible 3:56.50.

It was Fernandez’ first-ever indoor race and in the process he beat last year's NCAA 1500m runner-up, Arkansas' Dorian Ulrey by over a second.

The race went out in a solid 2:00 with Fernandez sitting behind Ulrey. Then, with 400m to go, Fernandez jumped into the lead and never looked back during the last two laps.

Fernandez is slated to run at the USATF Junior Cross Country Championships in February. It was a race which he won last year before going on to take 25th place in the junior competition at the World Cross Country Championships in Edinburgh, UK.

Other notable performances at the Razorback Invitational included Baylor's 4x400 relay team taking the win in 3:08.53, and Gloria Asumnu’s 7.21 sec performance in the 60m dash.

Zac Sweers for the IAAF

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