Bowerman Mile Poised to Make History Once Again at The Prefontaine Classic
This year marks the 25th running of the “Bowerman Mile”
The Prefontaine Classic’s premier event is returning with another trio of headliners who promise to put on a show at Hayward Field at the University of Oregon. The Prefontaine Classic consistently fields the best milers in the world every year in the Bowerman Mile, having produced 403 sub-4 minute mile performances in its history – more than any other American meet.
Reigning Olympic gold medalist Cole Hocker (USA) returns to his alma mater’s track with victory on his mind. Despite fifth place being his highest-ever finish in the Bowerman Mile, Hocker’s top-two full mile times have been run at the Pre Classic, both in the past two years. His personal best in the mile stands at 3:48.08, ran at the 2023 Pre Classic, which served as that year’s Wanda Diamond League Final. Currently ranked third in the world over 1500m, Hocker’s top 1500m performance came at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, where he ran 3:27.65 for Olympic gold–just off Bernard Lagat’s American record mark of 3:27.40. While at the University of Oregon, Hocker won four NCAA titles before forgoing his remaining eligibility to sign with Nike.
Paris Olympic bronze medalist Yared Nuguse (USA) will toe the line with his compatriot, also seeking his first-ever Bowerman Mile title. Nuguse’s second-place finish in the 2023 Bowerman Mile (3:43.97) earned him the American record in the mile, which still stands today. Earlier this season, Nuguse set yet another mile record–this time bettering the fastest time ever run indoors with a 3:46.63 to win the Wanamaker Mile and set a then short track (indoor) world record at the 2025 Millrose Games. Nuguse is currently ranked second in the world over 1500m.
Regarded as one of the best runners in history, Jakob Ingebrigtsen (NOR) makes his return to the Pre Classic for the seventh time in his career, looking to retake the Bowerman Mile title after a second-place finish in 2024. Ingebrigtsen left Paris with an Olympic gold medal in the men’s 5000m, adding to his Tokyo Olympic Games gold medal in the men’s 1500m. The four-time Diamond Trophy winner also has seven World Athletics Championships medals to his name, over distances spanning 1500m to 5000m. Ingebrigtsen owns four current world records over 2000m (4:43.13), 3000m (7:17.55), 1500m short track (3:29.63, pending ratification), and the mile short track (3:45.14, pending ratification). Ingebrigtsen is currently ranked first in the world over 1500m.
This year’s highly anticipated Bowerman Mile is the 25th running of the event, named to honor the University of Oregon track & field coach Bill Bowerman beginning in 2000. The fastest-ever Bowerman Mile was run in 2023 by Jakob Ingebrigsten in 3:43.73–an area record, meet record, and Diamond League record. Since its naming in 2000, it has taken a 3:51.84 or faster to win the event.
The 50th edition of The Prefontaine Classic will be held on Saturday, July 5 at Hayward Field. Tickets start at just $35 and may be purchased here. Lexus Legacy Experience VIP packages, which can be purchased in addition to an event ticket, are on sale now.