EUGENE, Ore. -- Oregon will stage an historic record attempt in the
four-mile relay during Saturday’s Twilight Meet at Hayward Field.
The Ducks will be joined by a team from Oregon Track Club Elite in
an effort to break Michigan’s 2005 collegiate mark of 16:04.54 (Andrew
Ellerton, Mike Woods, Nick Willis, Nate Brannen) and the Hayward Field
record of 16:05.0 set by Oregon Track Club (Roscoe Devine, Wade Bell,
Arne Kvalheim, Dave Wilborn) in 1968.
Depending on the lineups, the American record of 16:08.54, set by
Athletics West (Dan Aldridge, Doug Padilla, Tom Smith, Chuck Aragon) at
Hayward Field in 1984, could also be challenged. The world four-mile
record, 15:49.08, was set by Ireland in 1985.
"We felt we have a rare opportunity to do something special that our
fans would really enjoy," said Associate Athletic Director Vin Lananna,
who also announced that Sports Illustrated will be in Eugene to cover
the attempt. "We have a responsibility in Track Town, USA, to think
creatively about the sport and explore opportunities to attract new
fans for track and field.
"Saturday night could produce another Hayward Field moment that people will talk about for years."
The four-mile relay is scheduled to start at 8:30 p.m.
Oregon’s pool of milers includes Galen Rupp, Andrew Wheating, Matthew Centrowitz, Shadrack Biwott, Scott Wall and James Withers.
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