The 2nd Annual running of the Monumental Mile will take place on Thursday, June 4, 2015 in downtown Indianapolis bringing with it a chance to see the first sub 4-Minute Monumental Mile.
Frezer Legesse, who lives and trains in Bloomington, returns to the mile to defend his title and chase a $1000 bonus of a sub 4:00.00 clocking. With a lifetime best of 3:57.48, he could run the fastest road mile in Indiana on record. In the women’s division, IU Alumn and American Record holder Molly Ludlow is a confirmed elite. Ludlow, a central Indiana resident, was part of the American Record setting team that won the 4 x 800m at the World Relay Championships earlier this month. She finished 3rd in the 800m at the US Championships in 2014, and has an 800m personal best of 1:59.12. Along with Notre Dame Alumn Rebecca Tracy, who boasts a mile personal best of 4:33.83, both could chase the women’s time bonus of a sub 4:30.00 clocking.
“We’re ready for an exciting night,” Boldon added, ”In addition to world class mile races and families running together, we’ll have local music, local food, local beer and other local vendors, all on Monument Circle. Best yet, it’s all for a great cause – supporting local public education and our mission of educating Indianapolis youth on the benefits of healthy living.”
The evening will also be highlighted by the presentation of $140,000 by the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon (IMM) to organizations supporting local public education. Receiving donations are: IPS Education Foundation ($110,000), Simon Youth Foundation ($25,000), and Teachers’ Treasures ($5,000).
Over 150 elementary students will participate in the Youth Mile as part of Monumental Kids Movement. The students participate at no cost as part of this health and wellness program started by the IMM in 2012. Schools scheduled to participate include Super School 19, Daniel Webster School 46, Floro Torrence School 83, Meredith Nicholson School 96, Jonathan Jennings School 109, and Center for Inquiry School 2.
After a successful inaugural year in 2014, the Monumental Mile, voted one of the best mile races in the US, attracts runners of all ages and abilities. The 2015 event has a full slate of races throughout the evening including Youth, Masters, Open and Elite divisions. Of particular note is the newly added “Non-Competitive Community Mile”, which allows friends and families to participate together regardless of gender or age division. Strollers are welcome in the wave of the event only. Also new this year, Marathonfoto will be sponsoring free event photographs for participants.
Event registration is available online through June 3 and then onsite at Monument Circle on race day starting at 5 p.m.
