We are honored to welcome elite athletes.


  • Nathan Sloan, the 2022 Elite Mile Champion, is returning to defend his title and to break 4 minutes.


  • Carina Viljoen, the 2022 Elite Mile female runner-up, hopes to win this year in less than 4 minutes 30 seconds.


  • Brian and Axl, the 2022 Dog Mile Champions, are returning and aiming to break 4 minutes 15 seconds in the Dog Mile.


  • Roosevelt Cook and Katie Izzo, the 2022 5k Male and Female Champions, respectively will be back and are anxious to defend their titles.


Each of these former champions, however, will have great competition.


Get to the finish line by 8:15 a.m. to watch elites as they battle in the Elite Mile. Expect the first 5k competitor to cross by 8:44 a.m. Don't miss Brian and Axl crossing the finish line just after 9:24 a.m. followed by the other human/canine duos.

 

This elite field and the $8,100 cash purse would not be possible without our Elite Sponsors. Special thanks to our new Elite Mile Title Sponsor, Invitrx. Thanks also to our Premium, Gold, and Bronze Elite Sponsors Vivien and Dan Hyman, Greg and Diana Keyes, and Dave Kobrine, respectively.

Featured Athletes

Spirit Run's returning champions will have tough competition.


Read about many elite athletes competing at Spirit Run at the Elite Page.


Read StuNewsNewport.com Friday's edition to learn why some are competing.


Below are photos and bios of a few elite runners.

 

Nathan Sloan

(Elite Mile + 5K)


- Spirit Run 2022 Elite Mile Champion

- Trains with Elevated Performance based in Boulder, CO area

- 2019 Graduate of University of Pittsburgh in Civil Engineering

- Personal Record Mile - 4:02

- Personal Record 1500 meters - 3:42


Why Spirit Run 2023? "I ran Spirit Run for the first time last year. I had a blast and knew I wanted to come back. The race makes for a good kickstart to the outdoor season with a competitive race, on a fast course, in a fun location. I aim to repeat as champion in the mile, but faster. After, I also want to beat my time in the 5k. Once all is said and done, I look forward to relaxing on the beach!"

 

Roosevelt Cook

(5K)


- 1st place Spirit Run 5k 2022 and 2015; top three 2011-2014

- 1st place Spirit Run 10k four consecutive years, 2017-2020; 3rd place 2016

- A decade plus record of winning road races of multiple distances including as a masters runner


Why Spirit Run? "I’ll be at Spirit Run for years to come. I like it because it has a good course, down by the beach, my team is here, and it’s a good fun, well run event. I always like the prizes, especially the pizza and cash."

 

Brian Duff

(Dog Mile)


- Personal Record Dog Mile - 4:13 @ the State Street Mile

- Former World Record Holder in Dog Mile

- Former State Street Mile course record holder, and multiple time State Street Mile winner (both Masters and Dog Mile)

- Personal Record for road mile - 4:10

- Masters Mile record holder @ the Raleigh Run Down Mile


Why Spirit Run? "I’m super excited to compete again in the 2023 Spirit Run Dog Mile. Our goal is to break 4:15!"

 

Carina Viljoen

(Elite Mile)


- Competed for South Africa at numerous World Championships and 11 time South Africa National Champion

- ASICS sponsored, Mammoth Track Club Elite Competitor

- Runner up Spirit Run Elite Mile 2022

- PR Mile - 4:29

- PR 1500m - 4:08

- PR 3000m - 8:56

- PR 5km - 15:54

- University of Arkansas Graduate '21


Why Spirit Run? “I’m excited to be back at Spirit Run. Coming from a very snowy Mammoth Lakes, I’m looking forward to being in beautiful Newport. This will be a great opportunity to get the season going at a race that is fun and with so much Spirit! My goals are to practice being competitive and run hard over the last quarter mile.”

 

Hanna Hermansson

(Elite Mile)


- Representing Valor Track Club

- 9 x National champion for Sweden

- 2 x European Championship finalist

- 2 x World Championship semi-finalist

- PR 1500m - 4:05

- PR Mile - 4:28

- PR 800m - 2:00


Why Spirit Run? "I think it's cool to have a competitive local race. I train with Valor Track Club and will have a lot of running friends participating in the various races. I raced in 2019 and enjoyed the atmosphere a lot! I will be returning from the indoor season in Europe the day before, so my only goal is to be competitive for the win and hopefully break the 4:30 barrier."

 

Katie Izzo

(5K)


-1st place female Spirit Run 2022 5k

-World Cross Country Qualifier for Team USA 2023

-Competes for Golden Coast Track Club and signed with Adidas in July 2021

- PR Mile - 4:34

- PR 3k - 8:46 (World Indoor Standard)

- PR 5K - 15:13 (2021 Olympic Trials Qualifying Time, 2nd fasted 5K in NCAA)

- PR 10K: 32:28


Why Spirit Run? “I am racing the Spirit Run because I had such a great time at the event last year! My goal is to just compete and have fun! I love that this is a local meet for me and I can't wait to toe the line."

 

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Fun at the Expo


Read about fun planned for Spirit Run's Youth, Fitness, & Dog Expo in today's edition of StuNewsNewport.com.

 
 
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