Drake Relays field stacked with milers

Some of the world's best milers will compete at the Drake Relays.

Twice.

There's the Grand Blue Mile, which will be contested on the streets of downtown Des Moines early in the week of Relays. And there's the invitational mile as part of the regular schedule on Saturday, April 24.

According to Relays Director Brian Brown, 10 runners competing in the invitational mile have edged under 4 minutes, including Bernard Lagat.

"The mile is part of us," Brown said. "We still talk in terms of feet, inches and miles.

"The mile has always captivated us. It is a litmus test as to how fast somebody is going."

Alan Webb set the Drake mile record in 2007 with an effort of 3:51.71.

"You remember the buzz around the stadium with every lap when he broke (Steve Scott's record)," Brown said.

Lagat is among a number of runners qualified to push that mark. He ran 3:52 last year and has a career-best of 3:47.28, in 2001.

"This is perfect timing for me," said Lagat, 35, who was born in Kenya and competes for the USA out of Tucson, Ariz.

"I want to build my momentum for the world championships. Normally, I don't open this early (in the season) with a fast mile. I'm taking this as serious competition."

A two-time Olympic medalist and 2007 double world champion, Lagat won the famed Wanamaker Mile at Madison Square Garden for the eighth time in January.

Last year, he was the world outdoor silver medalist in the 5,000 and claimed the bronze in the 1,500.

"He has an amazing grace when he competes," Brown said.

Relays legends Scott and Suzy Favor Hamilton are among those scheduled to run downtown - it's a run open to the public on April 20