Organizers of the Guardian Mile race that takes place at 7 p.m. on Saturday boast that they’ll have the “fastest elite field on Ohio soil ever.” Two-time Olympic medalist Nick Willis of New Zealand and 2016 Olympian Violah Lagat of Kenya will both participate in the race.

The elite women and men will race at 8 and 8:15 p.m. respectively; they’ll compete for a $13,000 prize.

The event will also feature divisions for high school/youth, community and masters.

Mitchell’s and Georgio’s will provide the food, and Indians’ in-game host Gab Kreuz will act as the MC. There will be an after-party at Platform Beer Co. The course crosses the Hope Memorial Bridge from the West Side Market to Progressive Field.

A Q&A session with the elite athletes precedes the race. It takes place at 5:30 p.m. on Friday at the Ohio City Music Settlement and is open to the public.

This article appears in Aug 8-14, 2018.

Jeff has been covering the Cleveland music scene for more than 25 years now. On a regular basis, he tries to talk to whatever big acts are coming through town. And if you're in a local band that he needs to hear, email him at jniesel@clevescene.com.

One reply on “Elite Runners to Participate in This Weekend’s Guardian Mile”

  1. Nick Willis is the 2008, 2013, 2015 and 2017 winner of the prestigious Fifth Avenue Mile, along with earning seven 1500m medals while competing for New Zealand in the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, IAAF Continental Cup and World Indoor Championships. The event comes at the right time on the calendar, since middle- and high-school cross-country programs have been rolling for about one week and college runners home for the summer may be looking for a quick race to take a break from the long training miles.

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