Miller, Kampf Capture USA 1 Mile Road Titles
Medtronic TC 1 Mile hosts national championships; more than 2,500 participants at 8th edition under warm, windy conditions in Minnesota
By Charlie Mahler, Running USA wire
Posted Monday, 21 May, 2012
From Ryan Lamppa, Running USAMINNEAPOLIS - (May 17, 2012) - Minnesota native Heather Kampf and former University of Wisconsin star Craig Miller won USA 1 Mile road titles at the 8th Medtronic TC 1 Mile in Minneapolis on Thursday evening. The two Olympic hopefuls won their first career USA titles with the victories and pocketed $4000 each for their efforts.
Kampf, 25, a Minneapolis resident and the runner-up in the event last year, clocked 4 minutes, 36.9 seconds to out-leg Alisha Williams of Denver, Colo., second at 4:39.6, and Detroit's Danielle Tauro, third with 4:40.0.
Miller, 24, who finished third at the men's race in 2011, ran 4:04.3, just three days after running a 3:37.13 personal best track 1500m race in Philadelphia. Last year's USA 1 Mile runner-up Aaron Braun of Flagstaff, Ariz. was second again at 4:05.1. Unheralded Scott Smith, a teammate of Braun's with the Team USA Arizona program, was third at 4:06.9.
The only foe the champions couldn't defeat on a warm Minnesota evening was a stiff southerly headwind which made for tactical racing, slowed times, and a pair of unclaimed $10,000 course record bonuses.
Kampf was content to nestle herself into a tight pack of contenders for the first half of the race, before setting herself up for what turned out to be a title-winning kick. Steeplechaser Mason Cathey provided the early pacesetting, giving way to Kellyn Johnson near the half-way mark, passed in 2:20.
Kampf moved to the front with more than 200-meters to go and powered away from the field for a comfortable victory.
"I feel like a road mile is a little bit to my advantage," commented Kampf, a former NCAA champion at 800-meters for the University of Minnesota. "If I can stay in the race, then have a good shot to kick at the end, my closing speed is a lot better than some milers."
Kampf also had the advantage of a supportive home crowd along the course.
"Doing this at home is so great, I just have to say 'thank you' to everyone out there," the Team USA Minnesota athlete added. "I feel like I heard my name more than anyone else's out there, and it's just the great support we have here in Minneapolis that helped me out through that."
Like Kampf, Miller also tucked himself in the pack, paced throughout by Braun, which passed the half-way stripe in only 2:07.
"I knew I didn't want to lead," Miller, a former Big Ten 1500m champion, explained. "It takes a lot more mental and physical energy to lead. Whoever was in the front, I'd try to hide behind."
Miller waited until the final 150 meters to launch a furious kick to the finish line.
"You see the finish line from maybe 200 meters out and your instinct is to just go then," Miller, a 3:56 miler on the track said. "So, I just wanted to be patient and wait until I knew I could finish strong."
More than 2,500 runners participated in the 8th Medtronic TC 1 Mile, including a record number of Corporate Team Challenge participants representing more than 40 organizations.
"It was an exciting night of racing, climaxing with our USA Championship waves," Twin Cities In Motion Executive Director Virginia Brophy Achman said. "I'm always amazed by the energy and enthusiasm of the Minnesota running community and pleased to see local companies support fitness and healthy lifestyles."
8th Medtronic TC 1 Mile: USA Men's & Women's Championship
Minneapolis, MN, Thursday, May 17, 2012
MEN
1) Craig Miller (WI), 4:04.3, $4000
2) Aaron Braun (AZ), 4:05.1, $2500
3) Scott Smith (AZ), 4:06.9, $1500
4) Kenyon Neuman (CO), 4:07.5, $800
5) Bobby Mack (NC), 4:07.8, $500
6) Benjamin Bruce (AZ), 4:08.8, $325
7) Edwin Sang (CO), 4:09.5, $150
8) Chris Rombough (MN), 4:10.0, $100
9) Jordan Horn (AZ), 4:10.8, $75
10) Darren Brown (TN), 4:11.9, $50
WOMEN
1) Heather Kampf (MN), 4:36.9, $4000
2) Alisha Williams (CO), 4:39.6, $2500
3) Danielle Tauro (MI), 4:40.0, $1250
4) Kellyn Johnson (AZ), 4:40.2, $800
5) Frances Koons (NJ), 4:40.5, $500
6) Meghan Peyton (MN), 4:41.1, $325
7) Laura Thweatt (CO), 4:42.0, $150
8) Tara Erdmann (CA), 4:42.9, $100
9) Mason Cathey (IN), 4:46.1, $75
10) Stephanie Pezzullo (NC), 4:47.3, $50
Full results and more at: www.tcmevents.org
