U.S. Olympian Ben Blankenship Returns to Pittsburgh to Attempt Third Fleet Feet Liberty Mile Win

July 5, 2023

Scheduled for Friday, July 7, Downtown Pittsburgh’s only night time road race, will offer a prize purse of more than $23,000; Fleet Feet Elite Derby returns with the opportunity for participants to win a special prize from Brooks Running

PITTSBURGH (July 5, 2023) /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – U.S. Olympian Ben Blankenship and other top milers will join 1,500 other runners who will test their speed at the Fleet Feet Liberty Mile on July 7. Downtown Pittsburgh’s only night time road race has attracted both first-time runners, as well as some of the country’s fastest athletes who will compete for the $23,000 prize purse.

A two-time Fleet Feet Liberty Mile champion, Blankenship just missed clinching his third title in last year’s race when he finished second to Vincent Ciattei. This year he hopes to break the tape and become the first man to win the event three times.

“This may be the most interesting Fleet Feet Liberty Mile I’ve run in my career. Coming off the Peachtree Road Race and in a marathon build up, I’m excited to rip a solid mile and look to win a third Fleet Feet Liberty Mile title,” Blankenship said. “I wouldn’t miss an opportunity to come back to Pittsburgh and run one of my favorite miles of my career.”

Joining Blankenship at the start line is Amon Kemboi, a University of Arkansas grad who recently won the 1,500 meters race at the Portland Track Festival, and Jack Antsey, a University of Illinois grad with a mile personal best of 3:55.41.

On the women’s side, Stephanie Brokaw will return to race in Pittsburgh after a five-year hiatus. In her last Fleet Feet Liberty Mile appearance in 2018, she finished second. This year she will face tough competition from Grace Barnett, a Clemson University grad with a mile personal best of 4:29.88.

Ending the night of races, the Pro Heats, presented by Fleet Feet, are expected to draw a big crowd of spectators. Participants in the other heats will have their chance to try their luck in the Fleet Feet Liberty Mile Elite Derby and will be randomly assigned to one of the elite runners participating in the Pro Heats. If their assigned elite wins their race, they will win a Chaser Hat from Brooks Running (retail value $32).

The Pro Mile features $16,500 in guaranteed prize money going five deep per gender with each race champion awarded $4,000. In addition to the Pro Mile, prize money is also available for the top five fastest athletes in the following heats: Unstoppable presented by Brooks Running, Masters presented by UPMC Health Plan and National Senior Games. Click here to view the prize purse. For more event information or to register, visit: www.LibertyMile.org.

# # #

About P3R
P3R is the engine behind Pittsburgh’s greatest races. We strive to inspire any and all to MOVE with us. Best known for organizing the acclaimed annual DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon, P3R runs a variety of other high-quality races, events, and health and fitness programs throughout the Pittsburgh region. While many of our races attract some of the nation’s highest-profile professional athletes, we offer activities for all ages and ability levels. Anyone and everyone is invited to #RUNwithP3R! Read more at: P3R.org

FACEBOOK: RUNwithP3R TWITTER: @RUNwithP3R INSTAGRAM: RUNwithP3R

CONTACT:
Kelsey Emch, Public Relations Specialist
417-425-9400 or kelsey.emch@p3r.org