Martin Runs 4:03.53 To Break State's 39-Year-Old All-Time Mile Best

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

A week past the Pennsylvania state meet, Gary Martin found a new gear Friday at the John Hay Distance Festival in West Chester. 

Martin, a junior at Archbishop Wood Catholic, took over the US#1 spot with a time of 4:03.53 and broke the record of 4:05.24 held by Ken Lowry of Wissahickon, who ran that to win the 1982 Golden West Invitational in California. DYESTAT FEATURE ON GARY MARTIN

“It feels pretty surreal to see my name at the top of that list. There’s been so many great PA runners historically, and it’s incredible to be a part of them," Martin said. "It’s been a crazy past year, and I think I’ve surpassed even my own expectations.”

Martin was timed in 4:02.15 for 1,600 meters. 

“I didn’t get out as well as I wanted to during the first lap and got boxed in a little bit in the middle of the pack. I was able to work my way up on the second lap though, and still hit pretty much right on the splits I was aiming for. Of course I was happy with the end result too," he said. 

Martin won the PIAA AAA 1,600 meters in 4:08.67 on May 29 and also won the 3,200 the same day with 8:54.87.

Devon Comber of Hatboro Horsham also went under Miller's record time with 4:06.56. Third-place finsiher Aiden Barnhill of Downingtown West just missed it with 4:06.97. 

The top six ran under 4:09. 

In the 800 meters, Juliette Whittaker of Mount de Sales MD lowered her personal best to 2:01.15. Whittaker already held an Olympic Trials qualifying time and lowered her PR by two-tenths of a second. 

Whittaker's time bumps her ahead of Athing Mu to No. 7 on the all-time high school list. 

Eric Albright of Garnet Valley PA edged out Luke Seymour (Schuykill Valley) 1:52.69 to 1:52.75 in the boys 800.