DES MOINES, Iowa -- History has been made as the performances by Nikki Hiltz and Sam Prakel at the 2023 Grand Blue Mile, presented by Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield, have officially been ratified by World Athletics as inaugural world records in the road mile. The event, held annually in the heart of Downtown Des Moines, has now carved its name in history as the epicenter of these remarkable records.
"In planning all our events, the entire team is fully committed to facilitating the best possible athlete experience and honoring athletic achievement. Establishing two world records at the Grand Blue Mile presented Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield is a credit to both athletes and the entire planning team," said Blake Boldon, Franklin P. Johnson Director of the Drake Relays. "Special recognition is due to co-race directors Tanner Nissen and Chris Verlengia who have continued to elevate every aspect of this world-class community event. Thanks also to referee Dave Anderson, course measurer Michael Franke, the City of Des Moines, Drake Relays officials, our partners at EnMotive, and the entire team at Wellmark."
The road mile became an official world record discipline as of Sept. 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.
In celebration of the historic significance of these achievements and the pride they bring to the City of Des Moines, an honorary street naming was approved by the Des Moines City Council on Sept. 11. 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.
Details of a street sign unveiling will be announced at a later date.
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.
