The 2022 World U20 1,500m champion, Reynold Cheruiyot, has set his sights on the historic Mile world record, hoping to use the star-studded Prefontaine Classic on July 5 as a critical litmus test for both form and fitness.
The Mile record stands at 3:43.13 mark set by Moroccan legend Hicham El Guerrouj at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome back in 1999.
The record has stood for 25 years, untouched despite countless attempts from the sport’s best milers.
The 2000 Olympic 1,500m champion, Noah Ngeny, holds the second fastest time set in the same event, while two-time Olympic gold medallist Jakob Ingebrigtsen ranks third with 3:43.73 from Eugene 2023.
Cheruiyot is part of a stellar field of athletes announced by the Prefontaine organisers to tackle the Mile race.
The field features Ingebrigtsen, American Olympic 1,500m gold and silver medallists Cole Hocker and Yared Nuguse, as well as Britain’s double Olympic bronze medallist Grant Fisher.
In an interview, Cheruiyot revealed his lofty ambitions of pursuing the long-standing Mile record using the Pre-Classic as a perfect launch pad.
“I want to break the Mile world record soon, and this race will help me gauge where my body is,” Cheruiyot said.
“It’s the perfect opportunity to see how far I can push myself."
Cheruiyot enters the race with fond memories at the Pre-Classic. During his debut in 2023, he clocked a stunning 3:48.06, which shattered the World U20 record and placed him fifth in a loaded field which saw Ingebrigtsen (3:43.73), Nuguse (3:43.97) and George Mills (3:47.65) occupy the podium.
In his second outing over the distance last year, he timed 3:48.59 for sixth as Britain’s Josh Kerr stormed to victory in 3:45.3,4, leading Ingebrigtsen (3:45.60) and Nuguse (3:46.22) claimed the podium.
Cheruiyot noted that he did not achieve his desired time during last year's race.
"The race was not bad, but I did not attain the time I was targeting," he highlighted.
From the stellar field, Cheruiyot pinpointed Ingebrigtsen and Nuguse, who have vast experience in the Mile and pose a significant threat.
"Ingebrigtsen and Nuguse have the experience, which makes them dangerous, but my body feels ready. I will give it everything.”
Cheruiyot plans to deploy a tactical “wait-and-kick” approach, using patience and positioning to unleash a late surge in the final laps.
“To win or run fast in a Mile like this, you must time your move perfectly. Will stay in the middle pack, then go for it in the dying end," he noted.
To build up toward the Pre-Classic and the showdown at the World Championships in Tokyo, Cheruiyot has laid out an ambitious racing schedule.
He kicks off with a 5,000m in Doha this weekend, followed by a 1,500m outing in Rabat on May 25.
He will then chase a third straight title at the Kip Keino Classic on May 31 in Nairobi.
After Kip Keino, he’ll take a short break before returning to Europe for the Bislett Games in Oslo on June 12 and finally the Prefontaine Classic, ahead of the Kenyan trials for the Tokyo World Championships.
"The races will build my momentum not just for the Prefontaine Classic but the World Championships as well," he said.
The 2023 World Cross Country junior champion has further switched his training regimen to improve endurance and power. A key change has been the introduction of gym work into his weekly routine.
“I have added strength work this year. I never used to do gym sessions, but I saw how crucial it is for finishing speed and injury prevention and added it to my training this year,” he noted.
His training week includes 30km long runs on Mondays, speed work on Tuesdays at Afraha Stadium or in Nyahururu, Wednesday long runs and evening gym sessions, fartlek on Thursdays and a mix of speed and endurance work on Fridays and Saturdays.
Sunday is his only rest day.
