Well, we were treated to a fast mile out of Boston University that resulted in a new collegiate record of 3:52.01 by Edward Cheserek.

Here are some really quick thoughts on a really quick race:

Cheserek is very good

This should go without saying, but the fact that Edward Cheserek took down a pro-laden field in a new collegiate record time of 3:52.01 just means it bears repeating. With 400m to go, the pack of Cheserek, Palmer, Gregorek, and Merber had separated itself from the field by a fairly considerable margin. Ches looked frantic and not exactly smooth, but it never seemed like he was at risk of forfeiting the lead, except for in the final meters when a charging Merber inched up to him, his form breaking down. After a disappointing showing at the 2016 NCAA XC Championships, Cheserek has certainly bounced back, and looks to be in the best shape we’ve ever seen him in. It’s safe to say the outdoor 5,000m collegiate record is in jeopardy.

So where does that put Cheserek all-time?

If we’re looking at these all-time lists correctly, Cheserek ran the 20th fastest mile indoors and is now No. 12 on the all-time indoor list. It’s a Kenyan indoor mile record.

Kudos to the confidence by the Oregon track and field athletics social media team, who probably have a folder full of Cheserek title-winning and record-setting graphics ready.

 

Breaking records. All in a day's work. @KingCheserek sets indoor collegiate record after clocking a 3:52.01 mile in Boston. #GoDucks pic.twitter.com/cQKWaPUaAo

— GoDucks (@GoDucks) February 26, 2017

Kyle Merber is in good shape ahead of USAs

After an injury-riddled 2016 outdoor campaign, Kyle Merber is enjoying a 2017 indoor season that seems to indicate he’s jumped up a level in the US Men’s Miling Taxonomy from “consistent 3:55 guy” to “somebody who on the right day could challenge for a spot on a world team.” His 3:52.22 makes him the sixth fastest American all-time, indoors. He looked sharper with 200m to go today than he did in the Wanamaker Mile, where he was outkicked by Clayton Murphy and eventual champ Eric Jenkins over the last 200m. That said, his final 150m today looked smooth, and highly motivated by a desire to not lose to a college kid, albeit the fastest one ever.

In the event of an outdoor 4 x Mile World Record attempt, NJ-NY Track Club looks formidable

Merber lowered his PR. Palmer ran great with an untied shoe. And Johnny Gregorek’s 3:53.15 makes his and his dad’s (John Gregorek Sr.) aggregate mile PRs faster than that of Matthew Centrowitz Jr., and Sr. (No word on Johnny’s plans to get a tattoo celebrating that fact.) A healthy Colby Alexander could elevate this foursome into contention, should a competitive assault on the outdoor 4 x Mile World Record go down. The current mark to beat is 15:49.08, and it’s hard to not salivate at the prospect of NOP, NJ-NY, OTC, the Brooks Beasts all vying to lower it in the same race.

Here are some of the results of the men’s mile at BU:

1. Edward Cheserek, Oregon 3:52.01
2. Kyle Merber, HOKA One One 3:52.22
3. Johnny Gregorek, Asica/NJNY 3:53.15
4. Ford Palmer, Hoka One One 3:54.92
5. Dan Huling, Nike Bowerman Track Club 3:57.99
6. Liam Dee, Iona 3:58.19
7. Julian Oakley, Unattached 3:58.27
8. Sampson Laari, Middle Tennessee State, 3:58.75
9. Steven Mangan, North East Distance 3:59.49