Alisa Harvey goes sub-5 in Virginia street mile
The Winchester Star online reports that W40 Alisa Harvey — somewhat quiet since her record-setting indoor season and the Penn Relays — ran a road mile in 4:55 over the weekend. The story says: “Harvey, who was an assistant cross country at George Mason University last year, showed up and registered on the morning of the race, and was pleased with her performance.” The listed W40 American track record at the mile is 4:54.0 by Laurie Binder in 1991.
Here’s the bulk of the text:
Harvey, Gibson Race to Wins in Loudoun Street Mile
By Jerry Holsworth
The Winchester Star
Celebrities, running coaches, authors, and just regular folks of all ages braved stormy weather predictions Saturday morning to take part in the 19th Annual Loudoun Street Mile in Old Town Winchester. The event drew over 200 participants.
“I was really pleased with the turnout,” Meet director Mark Stickley said. “I was worried about the weather, but it turned out not to be a factor. We had a large field of 100 men, and 39 women here besides the walkers and kids. The women’s race turned out to be really fast.”
The main reason for the fast times in the women’s event was the late arrival of nine time All-American runner Alisa Harvey.
The Manassas resident, who won the master and overall race with a time of 4:55, was the NCAA national champion in the 1500 meters in 1986 running for the University of Tennessee. She also ran a leg of the national champion women’s 4×800-meter relay the same year.
“We were really surprised to have her,” Stickley said. “She was the main reason the women’s race was so fast. I don’t think we’ve ever had two women finish the mile in under five minutes.”
Harvey, who was an assistant cross country at George Mason University last year, showed up and registered on the morning of the race, and was pleased with her performance.
“I came down for the 10K last spring at Apple Blossom, and learned about this race,” Harvey said. “I just love the road mile, so I couldn’t resist coming today. It’s my favorite race.”
Harvey got some tough competition from Nelly Anderson, a senior on the James Madison cross country team and an All-Region performer at last year’s NCAA Southeast Region championship, with a time of 4:55. Heather Lee finished third (5:06).
