The Bowerman Mile isn’t just another race on the Diamond League calendar

Named for legendary Oregon coach Bill Bowerman, the event caps off the Prefontaine Classic every summer at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, a venue so steeped in distance running history it’s known worldwide as “Tracktown USA.”

Now in the 50th year of the meet, the 2025 edition of the Bowerman Mile (July 5, 5:50 PM ET) is stacked with global medalists, national record holders, and the reigning Olympic champion.

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Returners & Rivalries: Hocker vs. Nuguse vs. the World 

Two American stars headline: 

• Cole Hocker - Reigning Olympic gold medalist (2024, Paris) and Prefontaine hometown hero.
• Yared Nuguse - Olympic bronze medalist and former North American 1500m record holder

Joining Them: 

But what really makes this field compelling is what and who else is here and missing.

• Grant Fisher enters as a surprise: a 5,000m/10,000m specialist known for strength over pure miler speed. His move down tests if the Bowerman pace will stay hot or turn tactical and he’s dangerous if it does.

• Jakob Ingebrigtsen, the Olympic silver medalist and historically the sport’s most consistent sub-3:30 runner, is notably absent. He is recovering from injury and a later summer focus means the door is wide open for someone else to claim the spotlight.

• Dutch teenager Niels Laros adds a fresh dynamic: the youngest in the field but already a sub-3:32 runner.

With the likes of Hobbs Kessler, Grant Fisher, and Dutch teenager Niels Laros in the mix, the race blends experience and youth.

• Azeddine Habz - 3:27.49 in the 1500m this year, chasing a statement win on US soil.
• Jake Wightman - 2022 World 1500m champion, healthy again after injury.
• Oliver Hoare and Neil Gourley, consistent Diamond League finalists.
• Timothy Cheruiyot - 2019 World Champion and 2021 Olympic silver medalist.

What To Expect: Fast Times & Fireworks

In 2023, Nuguse stunned the crowd by breaking the American record in the Bowerman Mile in 3:43.97, the fastest mile by an American in the world last year and among the fastest ever.

This year, Habz, who’s already run 3:27.49 for 1500m, could push the pace early to string out the field, a smart move for a strength-based runner who may not match Hocker’s last 100m. Expect a first 800m around 1:51–1:52, aiming to keep the field honest and discourage sit-and-kick tactics.

Hocker’s known for a devastating last 200m, perfected last summer in Paris when he surged to Olympic gold. Nuguse tends to strike earlier, trying to control from 600m out, a style that won him last year’s Bowerman.

Fisher’s presence raises the question: what if the field hesitates? His strength and closing ability make him dangerous if the pace is slower than expected.

Why It Matters

The Bowerman Mile is more than a Diamond League points race:

• It’s the world’s premier annual mile.

• It closes the meet at Hayward Field, adding drama under the lights.

• With two U.S. Olympic medalists, it’s a chance for an American champion on home turf, something that rarely happens and hasn’t consistently since Alan Webb’s era.

This isn’t just about time or points; it’s about narrative: Paris rematches, the next generation testing themselves, and whether American distance running can deliver on the sport’s most mythic distance - the mile - in front of a home crowd.

For half a century, the Prefontaine Classic has honored Bill Bowerman’s legacy by hosting the world’s best milers. In 2025, the race feels bigger than ever: Olympic medalists, global record chasers, and young stars all converging on one lap of Hayward Field to make history...again.

2025 Wanda Diamond League Pre & Post Show: Eugene (USA)

FloSports will also have a broadcast and the Athlete's Lounge, where some of the best track stars break down all of the action. FloTrack will also have the 2025 Wanda Diamond League Pre & Post Show: Eugene (USA).

How To Watch The Prefontaine Classic

The Prefontaine Classic will be live on USATF.TV for the first events, from 1:00PM to 4:00PM ET. The broadcast will then move to NBC and Peacock for the remaining events, from 4:00PM ET to 6:00PM ET. Watch Live!

Why 2025 Wanda Diamond League Pre & Post Show: Eugene (USA)

FloSports will also have a free broadcast, the Athlete's Lounge, where some of the best track stars break down all of the action. FloTrack will also have the 2025 Wanda Diamond League Pre & Post Show: Eugene (USA). SIGN UP HERE.

Prefontaine Classic 2025 Event Schedule (ET)

• 1:00 PM - Men's Hammer Throw
• 1:50 PM - Men's Discus Throw
• 2:10 PM - Men's 10,000m
• 2:25 PM - Women's Hammer Throw
• 3:00 PM - Women's Para Athletics 100m Mixed Classification
• 3:07 PM - Men's Para Athletics 100m Mixed Classification
• 3:14 PM - Women's Para Athletics 800m T54
• 3:24 PM - Men's Para Athletics 200m T62/T64
• 3:27 PM - DL Women's Shot Put
• 3:30 PM - Men's Pole Vault
• 3:35 PM - Women's 100m Invite
• 3:38 PM - DL Women's Long Jump
• 3:44 PM - Women's 100m Hurdles
• 3:51 PM - Men's International Mile
• 4:04 PM - DL Men's 400m Hurdles
• 4:12 PM - DL Men's 100m
• 4:20 PM - DL Women's 5000m
• 4:43 PM - DL Men's 400m
• 4:46 PM - DL Women's Discus Throw
• 4:51 PM - Women's 400m
• 4:55 PM - DL Men's Shot Put
• 4:58 PM - DL Women's Mutola 800m
• 5:09 PM - DL Women's 3000m Steeplechase
• 5:23 PM - DL Men's 200m
• 5:32 PM - DL Men's Bowerman Mile
• 5:44 PM - DL Women's 100m
• 5:50 PM - DL Women's 1500m

The Field - Bowerman Mile

Bowerman Mile

• Reynold Cheruiyot (KEN)
• Timothy Cheruiyot (KEN)
• Grant Fisher (USA)
• Neil Gourley (GBR)
• Azeddine Habz (FRA)
• Oliver Hoare (AUS)
• Cole Hocker (USA)
• Hobbs Kessler (USA)
• Abel Kipsang (KEN)
• Festus Lagat (KEN)
• Niels Laros (NED)
• Tshepiso Masalela (BOT)
• Cameron Myers (AUS)
• Stefan Nillessen (NED)
• Yared Nuguse (USA)
• Jake Wightman (GBR)

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