FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: AUGUST 31, 2021
YAKIMA, WA – Nikki Hiltz charged away from Eleanor Fulton in the final two blocks of Saturday’s Downtown Yakima Mile to set a new women’s Washington state record. Her time of 4 minutes, 21.50 seconds broke the previous record of 4:23.68 and doubled her race winnings to $10,000 for taking both the elite race and setting the record.
In the men’s elite division, Sam Prakel held off 2019 runner-up Tripp Hurt, with a time of 3:54, to win $5,000. The first Yakima Mile, in 2019, established a new state record for men when Amos Bartelsmeyer sped through the downhill portion of Yakima Avenue in 3:51.79.
If you weren’t at the finish line for this year’s exciting Downtown Yakima Mile, you can still watch the women’s and men’s elite races at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDM414B3Sks (Women’s) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bypZ1kgxHwE ( Mens)
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The Downtown Yakima Mile returned this year with a women’s elite field that featured a slew of NCAA champions, U.S. champions and Olympians. The men’s elite runners included some of the fastest outdoor mile times run this year by Americans.
The Downtown Yakima Mile was presented by Home2 Suites by Hilton-Yakima Airport and featured 11 heats for runners of all ages and abilities. This year’s event supports YWCA Yakima, the largest provider of domestic violence services in Yakima County. For more information about the Downtown Yakima Mile visit yakimamile.com. Also follow us on Instagram.