Lipari and Ciattei Kick to Victory at the USATF 1 Mile Road Championships 

USATF Release

DES MOINES, Iowa – On a perfect spring evening Tuesday in downtown Des Moines, Emily Lipari outlasted the women’s field, while Vincent Ciattei outran the men’s field, both victorious at the USATF 1 Mile Road Championships presented by Toyota, hosted by the Grand Blue Mile

The USATF 1 Mile Road Championships are the third stop on the USATF Running Circuit presented by Toyota. Watch both races on demand on USATF.TV with a +PLUS subscription.

As the gun sounded to start the women’s race, Lipari took over the early pacing duties, setting a fast pace. With Alex Tuebel sitting off her right shoulder, Lipari ran out front with the field knowing Lipari brought a wealth of mile road racing experience to the contest.

As Lipari and Tuebel led the field past the half way mark in 2:17, both runners were in prime position for a fast finish. Lipari continued to push the pace, with the entire field still intact.

With 400 meters to go, Lipari started her drive to the finish. However, Jen Randall came from the back, swinging around the field to take the lead with 100 meters to go. Lipari had one more gear, surging one more time to pass Randall, crossing the finish line in 4:33, a half step ahead of Randall, and winning her third USATF 1 Mile Road Championship title.

Randall finished with the same 4:33 time, while Teubel held off the rest of the field to place third in 4:35. Allie Wilson hung on after running at the front for much of the race, crossing the line fourth in 4:37, while Alycia Cridebring held off Anna Connor for fifth, as both runners crossed the finish in 4:41.

Emily Richards ran a strong second half of the race and passed through the finish in seventh in 4:45. Lauren Berman placed eighth in 4:47, while Karisa Nelson and Katie Follett finished ninth and 10th in 4:51 and 4:59.

The men’s championship race got underway next, with Olympian Hillary Bor and Atlanta Track Club’s Shane Streich leading the charge early.

Paul Ryan jumped into the lead mix at the half way point, with Bor still pushing the pace, as the men passed through in 2:06. The entire men’s field was still within striking distance at this point, but it wouldn’t be long before a move would be made.

With 400 meters to go, Willy Fink jumped to the lead and started to push for the finish line. Olympian Clayton Murphy also started to make his drive to the line, pulling to the right of Fink.

At 100 meters to go, Ciattei pushed past the field, pulling Ryan along, as they both shot to the lead. Streich tried valiantly to make one final move, but couldn’t push past the duo in the lead.

With one final shift, Ciattei pulled ahead and crossed the finish first in 4:04, winning his first USATF title, only three days after competing at the Oregon Relays, where he took fourth in the men’s 800m in 1:48.63.

Ryan nearly pulled off the win, but couldn’t quite get ahead in the end, settling for second in a same time of 4:04. Streich held on to place third, holding off the late charge of Murphy, who finished fourth, both runners crossing in 4:05. Josh Yeager used a strong finish for fifth in 4:06.

Fink would slow a bit over the final 100 meters, but still claimed sixth in 4:06, with Luca Chatham finishing seventh in 4:06. Diego Zarate, Nate Sloan, and Bryce Richards would finish eighth, ninth, and 10th, all with a mark of 4:07.

The next stop on the USATF Running Circuit takes place on Saturday, May 7, as the USATF Half Marathon Championships presented by Toyota take place in Indianapolis, Indiana. 

About the USATF Running Circuit

The USATF Running Circuit is a USATF road series featuring USATF championships from one mile through the marathon and consistently attracts the best American distance runners with more than $500,000 to be awarded in total prize money. A total of $25,000 in prize money will be awarded at the USATF 1 Mile Road Championships.

The first ten U.S. runners earn points at each USATF Running Circuit race. For the USATF 1 Mile Road Championships, scoring is set as 15 for first, 12 for second, 10 for third, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1, with those earning the most points receiving prize money at the end of the series.

The mission of the USATF Running Circuit is to showcase, support and promote U.S. runners. Since its inception in 1995, the USATF Running Circuit and its races have provided over $7 million to U.S. distance runners.

Contributed by Scott Bush