Reekie, Langon Win Rain-Softened 5th Avenue Mile
Jemma Reekie set a course record for her third women's title, while Marco Langon used a cross-country surge to claim the men's crown at the New York road
Jemma Reekie of Great Britain won her third 5th Avenue Mile title in a course record 4:13.6 on September 13. American Marco Langon took the men's race in 3:45.0, using his cross-country skills to power past the field on the wet Manhattan course. Both winners earned $5000.
The women's race set off first on the slick, 20-block boulevard. Reekie and Kenya's Susan Ejore-Sanders set the early tempo, with Americans Rachel McArthur and Heather MacLean in close attendance. Ejore-Sanders broke away near halfway to claim a $1000 bonus for leading at that point, with Reekie and France's Bérénice Cleyet-Merle in pursuit.
Reekie's Record Run
As the course tilted downhill, Reekie made her decisive move. The 28-year-old 800-meter specialist, a silver medalist at the 2024 World Indoor Championships, drew on her experience from previous wins here in 2021 and 2023. She powered home unchallenged, breaking the previous course record of 4:14.8 set by Laura Muir in 2022 and matched by Karissa Schweizer earlier in 2024.
"I had no idea where anyone was, so I was actually running to the line," Reekie said. "I was trying to keep form."
Behind her, Josette Andrews mounted a strong charge in her first race in a year. The American, who was sixth in the World Championships 5000 last year, moved ahead of McArthur inside the final 200 meters to take second.
Andrews' Comeback Charge
This was actually my first race in an entire year so there were a lot of nerves going into it, Andrews explained. She cited a winter hamstring tear and subsequent injuries that prevented high-intensity training until August. I knew I didn’t really have a kick today, so I wanted to progress and stay strong.
The top six women's finishers and their times were:
| Place | Athlete | Country | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jemma Reekie | Great Britain | 4:13.6 |
| 2 | Josette Andrews | United States | 4:16.1 |
| 3 | Rachel McArthur | United States | 4:17.7 |
| 4 | Bérénice Cleyet-Merle | France | 4:18.3 |
| 5 | Lindsey Butler | United States | 4:19.1 |
| 6 | Susan Ejore-Sanders | Kenya | 4:20.2 |
Langon's Downhill Dash
The men's race began with a bold move from Kenya's Simon Koech. The Commonwealth Games steeplechase silver medalist blasted out to a 20-meter lead by halfway, later admitting he was unaware of the midpoint bonus. He faded to 17th but still collected $1000 for breaking four minutes with a 3:52.5.
Langon, a 22-year-old New Jersey native and recent Villanova graduate, led the chase pack. He compared the undulating course to cross country, his strength. Langon and Britain's Jake Heyward caught Koech before the three-quarter mark. Heyward, the 2022 European 1500m runner-up, then took the lead with 200 meters to go.
Langon found another gear. I knew I could hold a downhill sprint the entire way, he said. He broke the tape in 3:45.0, just off Josh Kerr's 2023 course record of 3:44.3.
Tight Finish for the Podium
Australia's Adam Spencer produced a furious late charge on the far outside, nearly catching Heyward. The Welshman was awarded second place as both men clocked 3:45.8. American Drew Hunter, preparing for the World Road Running Championships 5K, took fourth ahead of France's Flavien Szot.
The top eight men's finishers were:
| Place | Athlete | Country | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marco Langon | United States | 3:45.0 |
| 2 | Jake Heyward | Great Britain | 3:45.8 |
| 3 | Adam Spencer | Australia | 3:45.8 |
| 4 | Drew Hunter | United States | 3:46.5 |
| 5 | Flavien Szot | France | 3:46.9 |
| 6 | Cooper Teare | United States | 3:47.3 |
| 7 | Sam Prakel | United States | 3:47.6 |
| 8 | Gary Martin | United States | 3:47.9 |
Heyward was completing a remarkable comeback season after years of injuries. This is a race I had circled, said Heyward, who was third in 2021 and second in 2022. Langon, now based in Boston, is already looking ahead. The sooner I could finish my racing season, the sooner I can take time off and the sooner I can get back to training hard, he said.
