Photo above by Victah/www.photorun.net of Webb winning his 2007 Indoor USA Men's Mile title. Alan Webb spoke via teleconference on April 12 about his upcoming Drake Relays mile race.

Warm Hospitality Brings Out Alan Webb's Best
Alan Webb (24) of Reston, VA won the Drake Relays Men's Invitational Mile in 3:51.71 on Saturday, April 28 in Des Moines, IA; his time surpassed Steve Scott's 28-year-old Drake Relays record (3:55.26). Blake Boldon finished second in 4:03.15. James Dunaway writing for IAAF timed Webb's 440yd splits at 55.4 - 60.3 - 58.3 - 57.8. The win continues a strong start to the 2007 track season by Alan Webb with his first USA Indoor Mile title (4:01.07), and fast victories at the Reebok Boston Indoor Games (3:55.18, indoor best) and New Balance Indoor Games (3:56.70) in New York City.

Webb is eager to race this spring after losing a major portion of his 2006 racing season to a hamstring injury and other health issues. In 2007, he has targeted the AT&T Outdoor Track & Field Championships in June, making the Team USA roster for August's IAAF World Championships, and improving on his 2005 ninth place finish in the Men's 1500m. See Photo

Saturday's race was Alan Webb's first competition at the Drake Relays and he praised the loud, cheering spectators and amazing hospitality. The city of Des Moines embraces the annual event that brings together a few well-known professionals, and thousands of collegiate and high school athletes. Webb remarked that the organizers provided the right conditions and have proven that track and field can be a popular sport in the United States.

As Webb prepares for tough competition at important summer meets like the USA National and IAAF World meets, he wants to focus on winning races this spring--keep it simple. But he is encouraged by his fast mile time (the fastest this year in the world) at the Drake Relays. Webb wants to be one of the best milers in the world, which will require a commitment to run faster and challenge leaders. In the USA, Bernard Lagat holds the 1500m Outdoor Record (3:29.30) and past great miler Steve Scott still holds the American Mile Outdoor Record (3:47.69). Webb intends to improve his personal best times this year in the 800m (1:46.53, 2004) and 1500/mile (3:32.52 / 3:48.92, both in 2005).

Webb said Saturday's mile race hurt during the final lap (like any hard effort), but he tried to stay as relaxed as possible. He has a lot of respect for American greats like Steve Scott, Marty Liquori, and Jim Ryun. When records remain unbroken for many years, it adds greater meaning to the sport and brings increased attention to an athlete who sets a new standard, like his own USA high school boys' outdoor mile record of 3:53.43 set in 2001. The achievements of great American middle distance runners help him focus on performing well.

His coach, Scott Raczko, training partner Chris Lukezic, and national-caliber athletes training locally (Webb calls the informal group "DC Elite") in other events like Samia Akbar and Nikeya Green, are an integral part of Alan Webb's success. Familiar, friendly faces at workouts reduce the loneliness of long distance, and a strong relationship with good chemistry between coach and athlete develops trust in the training and racing program.

Alan Webb calls the mile his first love, and he has no intention of dabbling in the 10,000m in 2007 after a tantalizing winning debut in 2006 at the Stanford Cardinal Invitational (27:34.72). He sees plenty of room for improvement in his 1500m/mile times, which will only come from racing the event abundantly with some 800m events for speed and perhaps an odd 5000m race. As (Australian World medalist) Craig Mottram and (American Olympic two-time medalist) Bernard Lagat remarked in February after the Millrose Mile, Alan Webb will develop confidence over time; increased experience will give him the ability to put up a serious challenge to any competitor on the track.

See the Drake Relays Web site for results and further information. Webb's post-race comments were provided by Drake Relays.
USATF provides the latest updates on Alan Webb's running at Alan Webb.