Kejelcha Rips Through Mile In World Record Time Of 3:47.01

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

With a furious finishing kick, Yomif Kejelcha of Ethiopia left no doubt this time in his world record attempt in the indoor mile. 

Kejelcha, of the Nike Oregon Project, ran 3 minutes, 47.1 seconds to smash the 22-year-old world record by the legendary Hicham El Guerrouj (3:48.45) in the Bruce Lehane Invitational Mile World Record Attempt. 

Kejelcha, 21, was ushered through the first half of the race by three pace-setters, including Erik Sowinski and Harun Abda. 

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Kejelcha improved his PR in the 1,500 meters with an en route time of 3:31.25, but he did not surpass Samuel Tefera's all-time record of 3:31.02 from earlier this month in Birmingham, England. 

Johnny Gregorek of the New Jersey-New York Track Club/HOKA ONE ONE, running to second place, crashed through the 3:50 barrier with 3:49.98 -- fast enough to move to No. 2 on the all-time U.S. list. He narrowly missed Bernard Lagat's American record of 3:49.89, which was set in 2005.

Sam Prakel was third in 3:50.94 and moved to No. 5 on the all-time U.S. list.

Starter Tom McTaggart added a bit of history to his long resume. He was also the starter for Eamonn Coghlan's world record and first sub-3:50 mile (3:49.78 in 1983). 

Ce'Aira Brown won the women's mile that preceded the world record attempt, in a personal-best 4:28.12, No. 11 in the world this year and just outside the top 25 all-time U.S. indoor performers.