Chicago (United States) (AFP) – Annika Reiss overtook fellow American Addy Wiley at the finish to win the women’s mile in 4mins 25.52secs, a 2026 world outdoor best, at the 116th Drake Relays on Saturday. Wiley led most of the way but settled for second by 0.44 of a second at Drake University Stadium in Des Moines, Iowa. Reiss beat the 4:34.33 run by Argentina’s Micaela Levaggi two weeks ago for the year’s top outdoor time.
“It can really build my confidence,” Reiss said. “Confidence is definitely something I struggle with, so being able to compete at this level and take the win sets me up for a really good outdoor season. I’m really excited.”
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American Jamal Britt, who set the 2026 world lead in the men’s 110m hurdles three weeks ago with a 13.07-second win in Florida, took the Drake title in the event in 13.22, with compatriot Jamar Marshall Jr. second in 13.31, both running into a 0.4 m/sec headwind.
“The goal was always to come out here and win and move on to the next,” Britt said. “I was trying to knock (the world best) down a bit, but I was pretty close.”
American Roger Steen, on the world indoor podium the past two years, defended his men’s shot put crown with a heave of 21.93m. Nigerian Chuk Enekwechi was second at 21.74 with Jamaican Rajindra Campbell, third at the Paris Olympics, third on 21.72.
American C.J. Allen won the men’s 400 hurdles in 48.94 seconds in his outdoor season debut. “It felt good,” Allen said. “I was very smooth and I executed really well.”
American Cooper Cawthra won the men’s 1,500m in 3:35.22 with France’s Titouan Le Grix second in 3:36.11. American Shamier Little, a two-time world runner-up, won the 400m hurdles in 54.72, beating a personal best 54.90 for second-place compatriot Amiya Garozzo.
American Alia Armstrong, fourth in the 2022 worlds, won the women’s 100m hurdles in 12.77 seconds. “I just want to show everybody I belong here and I’m here to stay,” she said.
© 2024 AFP
