By Kyle Merber
January 24, 2024
Here we go again! For my money, there is no greater tradition in sports than running fans losing their minds over some NCAA altitude conversions. So big thanks to Nico Young, who ran 3:57.33 for the mile on Friday night at North Arizona’s Lumberjack Challenge, inside the dome that hosts an oversized sitting just below 7,000 feet. Because the calculator is spitting out that it’s worth a 3:48.71, and reactions are predictably – uh – not universally chill.
This conversion has made a lot of people very angry, and is widely regarded as a bad move. But is it?
Well, two years ago Young ran 4:02.89 at the same meet, which was converted to 3:54.07. At the time I defended the effort and conversion, given my own experience sucking for air at altitude and other athletes backing up their own debated performances. Well, one week later Young ran 3:56.00 at the University of Washington – not quite the full value of the conversion, but fast and close enough for jazz.
Using the historical data from 2022 to extrapolate an estimate, then it’s fair to say Young is in at least 3:50-something shape, meaning Cooper Tear’s collegiate record of 3:50.39 might be within reach.
The challenge at these speeds is quite literally… the speed. To run 3:48 means averaging 56.8 seconds each quarter and that’s getting into a realm of middle-distance running where it’s about more than just aerobic fitness. However, this is a guy who ran a 7:37/13:22 double last month – he is fit, and has undervalued wheels!
Currently, the top five men’s times in the NCAA mile are all altitude conversions, and NAU’s Maggi Congdon’s 4:40.34 is the top women’s seed, being valued at 4:30.16. For these athletes, there’s not much incentive to “prove” their conversions at sea level, unless they think they can better them at a place like BU.
And speaking of, the first look we’ll get at a post-3:48* Nico Young will be in the 5,000m at BU Terrier this weekend. If Graham Blanks’s 5000m mark goes down, how do we feel about those conversions?
Kyle Merber
Kyle Merber is a former professional miler turned media multi-hyphenate. While he’s not above dropping a quick “back in my day,” he’s far more focused on the present. Since 2021, he has brought his signature analysis and commentary to track fans across the CITIUS MAG network. When he’s not writing The Lap Count or hopping on podcasts, Kyle manages partnerships and pitches a relentless stream of ideas for Chris to consider. He might not be running a 3:52 mile anymore, but he keeps himself in just good enough shape to ensure the athletes still respect him.
