U.S. Olympians, USA Road Mile Champions Ready to Race in Pittsburgh at the 2022 Fleet Feet Liberty Mile

July 14, 2022

Downtown Pittsburgh’s only night time road race, scheduled for Friday, July 22, will offer a prize purse of $27,600

PITTSBURGH /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – The country’s fastest milers are ready to test their speed in the City of Champions at the 2022 Fleet Feet Liberty Mile, scheduled for Friday, July 22. Downtown Pittsburgh’s only night time road race will feature U.S. Olympians Clayton Murphy, Heather MacLean and Ben Blankenship, as well as 2022 USA Road Mile Champions Emily Lipari and Vincent Ciattei.

In the women’s race, MacLean makes her Pittsburgh debut after competing in the 1500 meters in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. She will face tough competition from Lipari, who is a two-time Liberty Mile champion, and Nikki Hiltz, who won gold in the 1500 meters at the 2019 Pan American Games and also represented the U.S. at the 2019 World Championships. Also joining them on the start line is Allie Wilson, who has a mile personal best of 4:26.04 and Hanna Green, who has a mile personal best of 4:28.06 and represented the U.S. in the 800 meters at the 2019 World Championships.

“Runners always talk about the electric atmosphere in Pittsburgh for the Fleet Feet Liberty Mile, so for years I have wanted to be a part of it,” MacLean said. “I’m excited to be racing this year’s pro mile and I’m sure the amazing field of athletes will make it one for the books!”

“I always love getting the race down the streets of Pittsburgh,” Lipari said. “The Fleet Feet Liberty Mile has always been a special race for me because regardless of success or failures that happen earlier in the season, I always feel grounded when I run down the streets of Pittsburgh.”

In the men’s race, Ciattei returns to the race after breaking last year’s finishers tape and tying the event record of 3:59. He will compete against Murphy, who won a bronze medal in the 800 meters at the 2016 Olympics, and Blankenship, who won the Liberty Mile in 2016 and 2017.

“The Fleet Feet Liberty Mile has been one of my favorite races for years,” Blankenship said. “I always look forward to it on the calendar. The excitement that builds as you race down Liberty Avenue with fans lining the course is phenomenal. This year I look forward to being the first one through the tape in front of that crowd.”

The Pro Mile features $23,000 in guaranteed prize money going five deep per gender with each race champion awarded $5,000. Also, P3R will offer event record bonuses of $2,000 if the winners set a new event record. The current record for the women’s mile is 4:32 set by Heather Kampf in 2013 and Gabe Grunewald in 2015. The men’s record is 3:59 set by Craig Miller in 2012, Jordan McNamara in 2015 and Vincent Ciattei in 2021. The USATF-certified, u-shaped course takes participants on Penn and Liberty Avenues in downtown Pittsburgh. For more event information or to register, visit: www.LibertyMile.org.

2021 Fleet Feet Liberty Mile Pro Fields

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WOMEN

*Denotes 800m personal best

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

About the Fleet Feet Liberty Mile

Organized by P3R, the Fleet Feet Liberty Mile is short, fast and fun for runners of all ages and abilities. Pittsburgh’s premier street race offers a $28,000 prize purse. Read more at: LibertyMile.org

FACEBOOK: LibertyMile TWITTER: @LibertyMile HASHTAG: #LibertyMile

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