Kiwi duo Geordie Beamish and Nick Willis created history today at the iconic Millrose Games in New York City.
Geordie maintained his outstanding current form, winning the 3000m courtesy of a devastating kick finish to post a New Zealand Indoor 3000m record of 7:39.50 (*subject to ratification). The previous mark of 7:44.16 was set by Zane Robertson in Sopot, Poland in 2014.
Nick also created a special place in the history of the mile distance by becoming the first person to run a sub-four-minute mile for 20 successive seasons.
The 38-year-old two-time Olympic 1500m medallist, stopped the clock in 3:59.71 to place ninth in the Wanamaker Mile.
Geordie was raised in Hawkes Bay and later attended Wanganui Collegiate where his running career made great strides under the coaching of Alec McNab.
A graduate of Northern Arizona University, Geordie enjoyed a highly successful college career winning the NCAA Indoor mile title in 2019.
Based with the On Athletic Club in Boulder, Colorado, last month Geordie set a blistering New Zealand Indoor 5000m record of 13:12.53 in Boston – a performance which elevated the 25-year-old to number two on the all-time 5000m lists (including outdoor marks).
Today’s performance in New York offered further evidence of not only his ability to run fast but to win races courtesy of his vicious kick.
Nick’s achievement to run 20 straight years of sub-four-minute miles is testament to his incredible longevity and enthusiasm for the sport.
He first cracked the four-minute mile barrier as a 19-year-old in 2003, registering 3:58.15 on the indoor track at Notre Dame, Indiana.
He set an New Zealand indoor record of 3:51.06 for the mile in 2016 while his outdoor best stands at 3:49.83, recorded in Oslo eight years ago.