North Carolina Natives Elly Henes, Craig Engels Are Centerpieces Of Upcoming Sir Walter Miler

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

One week out from the Sir Walter Miler, the organizers of the Raleigh, N.C.-based event are eager to showcase some of the best mid-distance racers in the U.S. 

A year after being forced to cancel due to the pandemic, race organizer and co-founder Pat Price is looking forward to rekindling Sir Walter Miler's hands-on energy with an eye on safety. 

"Ours is very much an in-person, be-there kind of race," Price said. 

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In contrast to other small racing opportunities that were held without spectators, the atmosphere of Sir Walter Miler has always encouraged getting close to the action. Spectators come onto the track and cheer from Lane 3 as the racers compete. 

And in an Olympic year, there is even more reason to celebrate. 

"We're diving into the Olympic fever and showing people what it really looks like up close, to show Olympic speed," Price said. 

The star-studded mile fields are built around a pair of North Carolina natives. Craig Engels leads a men's field that includes Isaiah Harris, Johnny Gregorek, Waleed Suliman, Sam Prakel and Geordie Beamish – athletes who were close to making it to Tokyo. 

Rising high school senior Rheinhardt Harrison from Nease FL is also entered and looking to join an exclusive list of prep sub-four milers. 

On the women's side, Raleigh's own Elly Henes is one of the featured stars and the race serves as a Going Away Party as she prepares to embark on her professional career in Flagstaff, Ariz. Henes, who was coached by her mother, Laurie, at North Carolina State, won the NCAA Division 1 5,000-meter title in June. 

"She might be the most popular athlete this year," Price said. 

In a field that includes Nikki Hiltz, Josette Norris, Sage Hurta, Michaela Meyer and Sinclaire Johnson, Henes may not be the fastest in the group over the mile distance. but it's a moment she doesn't want to miss. 

"I love how personal it can be and afterward you can meet the athletes," she said on the Summer of Miles podcast. "A lot of my friends will be there and that means to much to me."

The elite miles make Sir Walter Miler one of the best domestic track events of the summer and it's one of the most accessible and fan-friendly meets anywhere.

But the weekend includes more than the miles, which could draw 3,000 to 4,000 people to Cardinal Gibbons High School. 

From the moment athletes begin to arrive next Wednesday and settle in with their host families, there is a chance for the local running community to rub shoulders with them. On Thursday there is a shakeout run with the racers followed by a dinner. Friday's pre-race festivities will include a video screen displaying the Olympic women's marathon. And Saturday there is a morning run with the pros and a downhill mile event.  

Sir Walter Miler's attachment to the first Friday in August comes with an added reason. It coincides with the first day of official practices for high school cross country teams in North Carolina. For the high school crowd, it's a kick-off event for organized summer training. 

"We want the high school kids to be able to take that energy into their fall season," Price said.