Emma Coburn runs 4:32, fastest-ever mile on Colorado soil

Emma Coburn made her return to the track on Saturday for the Team Boss Colorado Mile, and she posted the fastest mile ever run on Colorado soil, running a 4:32.7. The event was a fundraiser for the Sachs Foundation, a non-profit that supports Black students who are working toward attending college, and it was announced beforehand that the athletes were shooting for the Colorado state records. Behind Coburn were three-time NCAA champion Dani Jones and Cory Ann McGee, both of whom also ran under the previous Colorado record (which was a 4:36 mile held by Jones). The men were unsuccessful in their attempt, with Australia’s Morgan McDonald clocking a 4:02.07, one second behind the record.  

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A mile-high mile 

The Team Boss Colorado Mile was set in Grand Junction, Colo., and Coburn ran 4:32.7, just one second shy of her mile PB of 4:31.08, which she ran in 2018. A 4:32 mile is impressive no matter where it’s run, but the fact that Coburn ran it in Grand Junction, which is 1,398 metres above sea level, makes the record all the more impressive. Comparatively, Coburn ran her mile PB in Bay Shore, N.Y., which is just six metres above sea level.  

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Returning to racing 

This event wasn’t open to many runners, but over the past few weeks, there have been several competition announcements for races and meets that will be held in the U.S. After months without live races, fans are finally getting to watch some in-person meets and events, and athletes are getting more opportunities to jump back into competition.

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According to Colorado’s 9 News, Team Boss had hoped to raise $20,000 for the Sach’s Foundation. By the end of the night on Saturday, more than $30,000 had been raised for the charity.

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