Olympic medalist Josh Kerr smashes 43-year men’s event record; U.S. Olympian Karissa Schweizer ties women’s event record with victory

New York, September 8, 2024 – Nonprofit New York Road Runners (NYRR) drew more than 8,000 adult runners and 1,000 youth of all ages and abilities today to the New Balance 5th Avenue Mile, which concluded with Olympic medalist Josh Kerr and U.S. Olympian Karissa Schweizer winning the professional athlete races, and breaking and tying the event records, respectively.

The New Balance 5th Avenue Mile – the world’s most iconic road mile race since 1981 – is one of 60 adult and youth races produced by New York Road Runners, showcasing the transformative power of running for people of all ages and abilities, whether they are running their first mile or racing for a personal best.

A month removed from winning an Olympic silver medal in Paris, Kerr claimed his second consecutive title on 5th Avenue in a time of 3:44.3, smashing the event record of 3:47.52 set by Sydney Maree in the race’s first year in 1981. American Josh Hoey finished as runner-up in 3:48.9, followed by Kenya’s Amon Kemboi in 3:49.3, both of which fall within the top-10 fastest times in history.

Schweizer won the women’s race in 4:14.8, tying Laura Muir’s event record from 2022. Kenya rounded out the podium, with Dorcas Ewoi placing second in 4:17.3 and Susan Ejore taking third in 4:18.3.

Both Kerr and Schweizer will be guests on a special NYRR Set the Pace Presented by Peloton podcast episode dropping this evening to chat about their victories.

This year’s New Balance 5th Avenue Mile featured 30 different heats, including Back-to-School Mile heats for Rising New York Road Runners, a George Sheehan Memorial Mile for seniors, an NYPD and FDNY Mile, a Media Mile for journalists won by The New York Times, and NYRR Road Mile Championship heats. New this year, runners who are part of the NYRR Unlock 26.2 x New Balance training program for the TCS New York City Marathon had their own heat as well.

About New York Road Runners (NYRR)

A New York City-based nonprofit, New York Road Runners’ vision is to build healthier lives and stronger communities through the transformative power of running – serving nearly a half a million New Yorkers annually through its free community events, youth running initiatives, and school-based programs across the five boroughs. During its nearly 70 years, New York Road Runners has grown from a local running club to the world’s premier community running organization, producing more than 60 adult and youth races each year, including the TCS New York City Marathon. Held the first Sunday each November, the TCS New York City Marathon features more than 50,000 runners—from the world’s best professional athletes to a vast range of runners across experience levels, ages, genders, abilities, and backgrounds. To learn more, visit www.nyrr.org.