© NYRR
New Balance 5th Avenue Mile: New York’s Iconic Race Returns This Weekend
One mile. 1,609 meters. A legendary distance in the United States—one that has shaped the history of track and field. This Sunday, September 7, New York City will come alive with the 44th running of the New Balance 5th Avenue Mile, organized by the New York Road Runners (NYRR). Between the skyscrapers of Manhattan, along one of the world’s most famous avenues, the best middle-distance runners will battle it out. And they won’t be alone: nearly 8,500 amateur runners will also line up at the start. Marathons.com takes you inside this legendary race.
| A New York Classic Since 1981
Launched in 1981, the 5th Avenue Mile quickly became a classic—a bridge between the worlds of track and road racing. No sharp turns, no time for tactical maneuvers—just one straight stretch of Fifth Avenue, running alongside Central Park. It’s essentially an extended sprint, one that has hosted many of the sport’s greatest stars, from American Jenny Simpson—who holds the record with seven victories—to more recent champions like Britain’s Josh Kerr.
The roll of honor is stacked, as are the event records: 3:44.3 by Kerr in 2024 on the men’s side, and 4:14.68 by Britain’s Laura Muir (2022) and American Karissa Schweizer (2024) for the women. Blistering times—but they can’t be ratified by World Athletics, since the course has a net downhill and the start and finish are too far apart for official record purposes. But in truth, that’s not the point. The 5th Avenue Mile belongs in a category of its own—pure competition, spectacle, and New York showmanship.
| A World-Class Elite Field for 2025
In the women’s race, the favorite is Karissa Schweizer, last year’s winner and co-holder of the course record. She’ll face tough opposition from 800m specialists, including Ajee’ Wilson (the 2022 World Indoor champion) and Raevyn Rogers (Olympic bronze medalist in Tokyo 2020). Adding depth to the American field are Heather MacLean (indoor national record-holder at 1500m) and Valerie Constien (a finalist in the 3000m steeplechase at the Paris 2024 Olympics).
On the men’s side, the lineup is even more stacked. Yared Nuguse, the North American mile record-holder and Olympic medalist in Paris, will make his long-awaited debut on Fifth Avenue. His challengers include Josh Hoey, last year’s runner-up and the 2025 World Indoor 800m champion, as well as Hobbs Kessler (2023 World Road Mile champion), Evan Jager (Olympic medalist and U.S. steeplechase record-holder), and young talents Luke Houser and Parker Wolfe. France will also be represented by Flavien Szot. Expect a furious fight to the finish.
| 8,500 Runners, One Avenue
The 5th Avenue Mile isn’t just for the elites. Since 2000, it’s been open to the general public, delighting the city’s running community. This year, NYRR—also the organizer of the TCS New York City Marathon—has gone all out: nearly 8,500 participants will run the same storied stretch as the professionals, with waves adapted to every level.
And in true New York style, there’s even a “Broadway Mile”, where stage actors and singers lace up to raise funds for charity. Youth races, a head-to-head showdown between NYPD and FDNY, and even a journalists’ race round out the program.
Blending spectacle with pure athletic performance, the New Balance 5th Avenue Mile represents running at its most thrilling: raw speed, a magical setting, and pros and amateurs united on the same course. On Sunday, Manhattan’s eyes will turn to this iconic stretch of asphalt for just a few minutes of all-out effort. New York may be world-famous for its marathon, but the 5th Avenue Mile proves the city lives and breathes running in every form—from endurance to sprint. A race as spectacular as it is unmissable.
✔ For full event details, visit the NYRR website.
Clément LABORIEUX
Journaliste
