DES MOINES, Iowa -- History is in the making as the performances by Nikki Hiltz and Sam Prakel at the 2023 Grand Blue Mile, presented by Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield, are in the process of official ratification by World Athletics as the first-ever world records in the road mile. The event, held annually in the heart of Downtown Des Moines, has carved its name in history as the epicenter of these remarkable records.
The road mile became an official world record discipline as of September 1. As announced after the World Athletics Council Meeting in November 2022, the fastest recorded record-eligible performances for the event between January 1 and September 1, 2023, will be recognized as the world records. On September 7, World Athletics announced that upon ratification both Hiltz and Prakel will be the owners of the inaugural world records for the discipline.
Nikki Hiltz outkicked the field in the Women's US Road Mile Championships and set a course record during the Grand Blue Mile on April 25 with a time of 4:27.97. Sam Prakel secured the top of the podium with a time of 4:01.21 and claimed his second road mile national championship in Des Moines.
"For more than a century, the world's greatest athletes have traveled to Des Moines to test themselves at the Drake Relays. These two world records are another page in the history of one of the world's most iconic athletic events," said Blake Boldon, the Franklin P. Johnson Director of the Drake Relays. "Of the sixteen world records set at the Drake Relays, these take on special meaning because they were set on our city streets in a community event, surrounded by thousands of participants and fans."
In celebration of the historic significance of these achievements and the pride they bring to the City of Des Moines, an honorary street naming has been approved by the Des Moines City Council. As formally approved in tonight's city council meeting, the honorary naming of 13th Street as "World Record Way" between Grand Avenue and Locust Street will serve to celebrate the proud legacy of the Grand Blue Mile and cement Downtown Des Moines as the place where history was - and will continue to be - made. This segment of 13th Street is just beyond the finish line of the Grand Blue Mile and is where thousands of community runners and walkers complete their very own one mile.
"From the very beginning, we've worked to make the Grand Blue Mile a world-class experience for our participants and spectators alike," said Chris Verlengia, Wellmark's marketing activation & alliance manager and Grand Blue Mile co-race director. "Establishing these new world records in Downtown Des Moines — Wellmark's home for nearly 85 years — brings those hopes and ambitions full circle. We're so thankful to the tens of thousands of Iowans who've supported this event over the years and look forward to continuing that tradition on 'World Record Way' in 2024."
To commemorate these inaugural world records, registration for the 15th Annual Grand Blue Mile presented by Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield, set for Tuesday, April 23, 2024, will open with a special 48-hour Flash Sale for only $10. In addition to the event registration, event shirt and being part of a world class event, registrants who register during this Flash Sale will receive a commemorative keychain that resembles the honorary street sign to be placed near the race's finish line. Registration will open on Tuesday, September 12 and end on Wednesday, September 13 at 11:59 PM CST. Sign up at grandbluemile.com.
About the Grand Blue Mile
Grand Blue Mile, a Drake Relays event, is an annual one-mile fitness run/walk presented by Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield to engage individuals at all stages of fitness, encourage healthy habits and celebrate personal achievement. The annual wellness event, established in 2010, includes recreational, competitive and invitational events featuring a field of elite male and female track and field athletes from around the world. Proceeds from the event benefit Iowa Kidstrong, Inc., an organization dedicated to promoting healthy, active lifestyles among youth. For more information, visit grandbluemile.com.
About the Drake Relays
The Drake Relays presented by Xtream powered by Mediacom has served as "America's Athletic Classic" since its first running in 1910. The annual competition, hosted by Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, is recognized internationally as a destination for the world's premier track & field athletes across multiple professional and amateur divisions. In 2020, the Drake Relays was named a Silver Level event on the World Athletics Continental Tour, one of only two meets in the United States to earn Silver Level status. In addition to its signature stadium competition, the Drake Relays includes two marquee road running events open to the general public — the Grand Blue Mile presented by Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield and the Drake Road Races. For more information, visit drakerelays.org.
About Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield
Wellmark, Inc. (Wellmark.com) does business as Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Iowa. Wellmark and its subsidiaries and affiliated companies, including Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield of South Dakota, Wellmark Health Plan of Iowa, Inc., Wellmark Value Health Plan, Inc., and Wellmark Advantage Health Plan, Inc., insure or pay health benefit claims for more than 2 million members in Iowa and South Dakota. Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Iowa, Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield of South Dakota, Wellmark Health Plan of Iowa, Inc., Wellmark Value Health Plan, Inc., and Wellmark Advantage Health Plan, Inc., are independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
