The next day, the duo shined again in the 1600-meters. Ackley led the first lap in 1:03.49, less than ΒΌ-second ahead of Burns. Burns took over to lead laps at the 800 and 1200-meter marks by less than 4/10ths of a second. On the homestretch of the final lap, Ackley pulled ahead for the win, 4:05.96 to 4:06.49.
The other collegians, post-collegians, and professionals in the men's mile race include Wesley Kiptoo. Kiptoo is a recent signee to HOKA Northern Arizona Elite. NAZ Elite was founded by and is coached by Ben Rosario, the Festival of Miles emcee, St. Louis native, former St. Louis University High and Truman State standout. Kiptoo, the Kenyan native, wrapped up his college career at Iowa State in March, totaling seven All-American honors and one national championship title.
Idaho native and Washington State University grad Paul Ryan of adidas backed Golden Coast Track Club is scheduled to compete, as is former St. Louis resident and MICDS high school all-stater Jordan Mann. Mann competed at Brown University before finishing college at Providence College where he excelled in the steeplechase. Since, Mann has continued to improve and has added a 2018 USA Championships 5th-place finish, and made multiple international USA Teams in track and cross country.
The Women's Mile includes one high schooler. Natalie Cook from Flower Mound, Texas. She won the RunningLane and Eastbay (formerly Foot Locker) cross country championships last fall. Cook ran 4:36.95 for 1600-meters this Spring to become one of the fastest U.S. girls ever with a Top-20 U.S. all-time mark.
Hanna Hermansson of Sweden and former NCAA Division I Indoor mile champion for Samford University, Karisa Nelson, are both scheduled to race. Long-time pro Katie Follett, now of Elevated Performance will race as will HOKA NAZ Elite's Katie Wasserman. Rockwood Summit High School state champion and Mizzou senior and steeplechase record holder Melissa Menghini is also scheduled to toe the line.