It is not easy to find an organizer these days willing to organize a world record attempt in walking over a non-metric distance.
Nick Christie (USA) tried to do this successfully and contacted us about twenty days ago to ask the following:
“I am hosting a two mile race walk in Rochester, New York August 29th. The event was initially only set to be a USA record attempt of 12:05.94 by Jim Heiring, but in my research I discovered the 2018 Voronova Cup in Russia where Kirill Frolov walked 11:51. After finding this result I found a Russian article that mentioned Giovanni de Benedictis had the world record (best) of 11:47. I have been unable to find any information regarding Giovanni de Benedictis’ record. Would you be able to confirm it?
The two mile event August 29th will have the participation of Evan Dunfee and Perseus Karlstrom, so the record (best) definitely seems a possibility should we be able to confirm the result.
Thank you for any assistance you can provide.”
Nick Christie
After a brief search we were able to reply to Nick Christie that indeed Giovanni de Benedictis obtained a time of 11:47.02 in Siderno (ITA) on October 1, 1989, which at the time was (and still is) the best Italian performance in the 2-mile track distance. We told him that we are not entirely sure whether this result is still the best in the world today. It’s probably still the best world performance, given that that distance isn’t covered very often.
And right on time this morning at the Nazareth University Golisano Indoor Training Center, Rochester, NY (USA) at 8:00 started the first heat of the USATF Niagara Indoor 2 Mile race walk Competition “Elite” (reserved to walkers with possible mark sub 15:00 in 2 miles).
Perseus Karlstrom (SWE) took the victory with a time of 11:46.13, erasing from the annals after almost 37 years Giovanni de Benedictis‘ 11:47.02, set in Siderno, Reggio Calabria (ITA).
For statistics lovers, it should be noted that Perseus Karlstrom passed through the 3.000m he broke the Swedish record of 12:45 from 1945 held by Werner Hardmo who previously held world records from 3000m to 10 miles.
Second place went to Evan Dunfee (CAN) in 12:01.15.
Third place went to Dan Nehnevaj (USA) who broke USA record in 12:03.31 (previous of Jim Heiring’s 12:05.96)
We thank Nick Christie, who promised to provide us with the official results in the next few days, as tomorrow he is busy with another important personal event: his wedding. Congratulations Nick.
Short report by Nick Christie
Daniel Nehnevaj broke speed specialist Jim Heiring’s 2 mile record by over 2 seconds with 12:03.31. He also would have crossed 3000m in around 11:14 which would have been good enough to Crack Ray Sharp’s illustrious 11:16.20 (one of the oldest records in USA Track and Field). Nehnevaj struck like lightning and he struck twice. As one of only 9 USA walkers in history under 20 minutes for 5000m the Indoor season is sure to be intense! Dan Marks himself among the great names of USA walking in the LA 2028 build up with his first American Record!
In the rarely contested 2 mile a few new names were added to the World lists with Perseus Karlstrom ultimately claiming the top of the list in all surfaces surpassing both Outdoor and Indoor World Bests. Both Evan and Dan landed on the top 10 all time indoor/outdoor lists falling 6th and 8th respectively. 12 minutes still remains elusive with Perseus Karlstrom joining the small list of five. For short track all surfaces Perseus now ranks 1st, Evan Dunfee 3rd, Dan Nehnevaj 4th, and Nick Christie 8th.
Accepting any and all corrections to the list as recovering and finding these results has proved difficult and been a lot of research as a lists in off distance races have not been well maintained.
The race
The race began fast with Evan Dunfee leading the group through the mile in just over 6:00. Perseus Karlstrom was the first to make a move and Dan Nehnevaj followed closely behind. Evan Dunfee followed Dan as Nick Christie began to fade. Perseus Karlstrom rapidly increased the pace as he closed his second mile in 5:47 to break the World Best. Dan Nehnevaj and Evan Dunfee battled through the line with Evan Dunfee receiving a red card the final 50m as Dunfee maintained 2nd place and Nehnevaj followed closely behind to complete the podium and set a new USA record. The two evenly splitting their miles in the ~6:01 range. Christie a faded fourth rounded out the top initial pack through 1 mile with local AJ Gruttadauro finishing 5th in a new personal best.
The women’s race saw a title linked pack with Maria Michta-Coffey, Miranda Melville, Erin Talcott, Madigan White, Taylor Nugent, and Charlie Dickinson. The top 4 held together through most of the race with White and Talcott staying on their initial pace as Michta-Coffey and Melville increased their pace. With Melville and Michta-Coffey closely linked they came through in a final sprint the last 50m with Melville Narrowly edging the 2 time USA Indoor 2 mile champion. White and Talcott followed closely behind with Michta-Coffey, White, and Talcott all setting new age group and a high school records.
The Mixed Open race also saw Participation from 2 time Olympian Tim Seaman, and 1996 Olympian Andrzej Chylinski, along with multi-time Polish relay and hurdle Champion (1978, 1979, 1983, 1984) Jolanta Chylinska.
Also of interest, Jeff Salvage tested the race walk chips and took technical analysis video at the event in the Elite field.
Photo gallery by Diane Sardes – Auspicious Images
