In two days, runners from different parts of Louisiana will travel to the pine covered campus of St. Paul’s for the 5th running of the Meet Under the Lights. The meet was originally created as a way for high school runners who were broken up into classifications to race each other in one composite run to yield fast times and epic races [Click here for a recap of the first] . While the race still holds true to its original purpose it has broadened to include the college runners and the racers of the road in its “Invitational Mile.” However the meet in its entirety is not limited to the fast legged, but also includes the slow legged, and even the 3-legged. Having weird events such as the speed walk 800 and the 3 legged race which holds in its possession a very confident duo believing themselves to be unbeatable with their unofficial world record in 2011 [Video Recap] . Other events are the open mile, 3K, 4x400, and 4x800. So whether you are a runner looking for fast times, fun runs, or even a spectator who simply wants to see a good race in some of the state’s best, we hope to see you under the Lights of St. Paul’s high school on the 19th of May. Races start at 7:30 PM. [Official Meet Site]
This year’s Invitational Mile has a mix of runners from different generations but is looking to be good. Below you will find the confirmed entries. Being as this meet is so quickly thrown together every year, there are still a few top notch runners in the pend so stay tuned for more in the coming days as we inch closer to the MUTL.
Men’s Mile.
Reuben Twijukye
The top contender for the mile win. Traditionally more of an 800 guy, owning a PR of 1:47, he also won the NCAA 800m in 2006 and earned All American honors at LSU twice. Reuben has run a 4:08 mile and has been quoted recently in saying that he is in 4:06 shape.
Johnathan Koenck
Johnathan was a standout in high school winning the 2 Mile for Class B. He has gone on to have a successful college career at McNeese State University. He holds PRs of 413 for the mile indoors and 906 steeple /1450 5k outdoors. Look for Johnathan to push for the win in the mile.
Bryan Mutell
Bryan finished 3rd at the 5A XC Championships while running for Mandeville HS in '09. He is currently a sophomore at LSU and holds a 4:13 1500 PR.
Tim Landry
Tim was the 5A Alabama state Mile Champion while at Hoover. He went on to run for LSU where he was able to record a 4:15 mile indoors and 3:56 1500 Outdoors before graduating in 2011.
He is no stranger to the roads of Louisiana. Matt originally hailed from New Hampshire where he was a hockey player until his move to Baton Rouge following Katrina. He has not been at running for long but has racked up an impressive winning record which undoubtedly numbers in the triple digits. Matt prefers marathon distance. He placed 22nd at Boston in 2011. Matt has decided to try his luck in the MUTL mile.
A year ago, if you would have mentioned the name Ian Carr in New Orleans, the response would have been, “Who?” Most will not answer in such a matter to date. Ian is a complete newcomer and has been dethroning runners with impressive college records and life long buildups to be where theyare. With his front running style, basketball shorts, and his unending vault of surges as experienced runners try to pass, he has been breaking some of the best. Ian is a wildcard, but should bring a an interesting element to the mile.
As the sole representative to the St. Paul’s class of lurking milers, he will be looking for a PR on the home turf in which he graduated in 2005. While at St. Paul’s he was the 2004 5A XC State Champion. He then went on to run for the LSU tigers from '05-'10, and recently finished 3rd in the recent 2012 Rock and Roll Marathon in NOLA.
Brady is one of the top HS milers in Louisiana this year. Despite this, he competed at one of the toughest regions where only the top 3 advance to the state meet. Brady finished 4th for Walker. The three runners that beat him went on to podium at state. Brady is out for redemption.
PR of 4:29 for the mile. 2X 3A state cross country champion (2010/2011). Jacob recently finished second in the 1600 and 3200 meter run at the 3A state meet 2 weeks ago.
Gabrielle, an eighth-grader at First Baptist Christian School, won the 800, 1,600 and 3,200 meters, and anchored the victorious 4 x 400 relay at the Class C finals to reach 19 total state running titles (including cross-country, and indoor and outdoor track), dating back to fifth grade. Undefeated against Louisiana runners this year, she holds the state's top times in the 1,600 (5:06.10) and 3,200 (11:07.56).
PRE-Registration ends at mindight tonight. Click here to register online ($15 + T-shirt). Or Register Day of race for $20 (6:30PM) - No T-shirt
Also if you would like to be in the invitational mile and can run under 4:33 (male) /5:25 (female) - Send an email to pat@louisianarunning.com and we will waive your registration.