Hamish runs first sub-4 mile

Hamish Carson was third in last night’s mile race at Cooks Gardens,  Whanganui,  in 3m 59.11s – his first sub four-minute mile.  He finished behind American Will Leer in 3m 58.49s, and Nick Willis (3m 58.81s). Last night’s mile also had an historic significance as it marked 50 years to the day that Peter Snell, aiming to become the first man to get under four minutes on New Zealand soil, ran a remarkable 3m 54.4s at Cooks Gardens to break Aussie Herb Elliott’s world mile record.

With NZ junior 800m champion Brad Mathas setting the pace, Willis was happy to tuck in at the back for the first lap. Leer kept Mathas in his sights and took the lead when, at the end of lap two, the pacemaker stepped aside. Willis moved up to fourth, with Emmanuel and Hicks between him and Leer.

They stayed that way through the bell before Carson made a move off the back, moving up to third. Willis went wide and kicked on the home run, but Leer showed his steel with just enough acceleration off the front to take it.