Three of the best middle distance runners in the world will resume their top-level rivalry on the Wanda Diamond League stage when they go head to head in the Bowerman Mile at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene on May 25th.
Reigning Diamond League champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen of Norway will take on Great Britain's Josh Kerr and the USA's Yared Nuguse in a star-studded men's mile at Hayward Field.
Ingebrigtsen returns to Pre Classic for his seventh time to defend his 2023 Bowerman Mile title, which also earned him the Diamond League title at last year’s event. His 3:43.73 mile set a national record, meet record, and was the third-fastest mile ever run.
His victory in last year's final came at the expense of Nuguse, who nonetheless ran a blistering 3:43.97 to break the 16-year-old American record in the mile and notch himself as the fourth-fastest man ever to run one mile. Nuguse is fresh off a national title and World Athletics Indoor Championships silver medal in the 3000 meter short track this season.
Kerr will make his Prefontaine Classic debut in The Bowerman Mile. Recently crowned a World Athletics Indoor Champion in the 3000 meters, Kerr is also the reigning World Athletics Outdoor Championships 1500m champion, having snatched a stunning victory over Ingebrigtsen at Hayward Field in the summer of 2022. His personal best over the mile currently stands at 3:48.87 (2022).
Named in honor of legendary coach Bill Bowerman, The Prefontaine Classic’s signature event is the world’s premier mile race. The Bowerman Mile has produced 389 sub-4:00 mile performances in its history.
The Wanda Diamond League is the premier one-day meeting series in athletics. It comprises 15 of the most prestigious events in global track and field. Athletes compete for points at the 14 series meetings in a bid to qualify for the two-day Wanda Diamond League Final in Brussels on 13th-14th September.
