University of New Hampshire Athletics
Photo Courtesy of USATF
2/9/2020 9:34:00 AM | Women's Cross Country, Women's Track & Field
The former UNH track and cross country star runs the second-fastest indoor mile in history at the 113th Millrose Games.
NEW YORK – Former University of New Hampshire standout middle distance runner Elinor Purrier '18 added another notch to her belt this past Saturday, February 8, at the 113th running of the Millrose Games hosted at The Armory in New York City.
Purrier competed in the women's Wanamaker mile on Saturday, a race she had entered into several times in her collegiate and professional career. Purrier smashed the American indoor mile record of 4:20.50 (set in 1982) by nearly four full seconds as she went third to first in the final lap of the mile to win in 4:16.85.
Only one faster indoor mile time has been recorded in history, and that's the world record time of 4:13.31 set in 2016 by Ethiopia's Genzebe Dibaba. The time of 4:16.85 was also a Millrose Games meet record for Purrier.
"Her continued improvement over her two years as a pro has been amazing," says her former collegiate coach Robert Hoppler. "We are all so proud that one of 'ours' has gone on to become on of the best athletes in the world!"
In her time at New Hampshire, Purrier's career accomplishments and accolades included the 2018 NCAA Indoor Mile National Championship, two NCAA regional championships in cross country, 11 All-American nods, and 17 individual America East championships across cross country and track & field, as she was a member of four of UNH seven championship cross country teams. She was just as impressive in the classroom, earning back-to-back America East Scholar-Athlete of the Year honors in her junior and senior seasons.
She was also no stranger to record-breaking times in her collegiate career; her senior season, ahead of winning the national title, she ran the second-fastest mile time in NCAA history (4:26.55), which broke her own school record in that event. In all, Purrier currently holds seven individual UNH school records across indoor and outdoor track, and is a part of four school record relay teams.
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Purrier competed in the women's Wanamaker mile on Saturday, a race she had entered into several times in her collegiate and professional career. Purrier smashed the American indoor mile record of 4:20.50 (set in 1982) by nearly four full seconds as she went third to first in the final lap of the mile to win in 4:16.85.
Only one faster indoor mile time has been recorded in history, and that's the world record time of 4:13.31 set in 2016 by Ethiopia's Genzebe Dibaba. The time of 4:16.85 was also a Millrose Games meet record for Purrier.
ICYMI: What a great run by Elle Purrier in setting an American indoor record of 4:16.85 in the mile at the Millrose Games tonight. Way to go, Elle!!! @UofNH @UNHAlumni @UNHStudents pic.twitter.com/P54GZkY2pb
— UNH Wildcats (@UNHWildcats) February 9, 2020
"Her continued improvement over her two years as a pro has been amazing," says her former collegiate coach Robert Hoppler. "We are all so proud that one of 'ours' has gone on to become on of the best athletes in the world!"
In her time at New Hampshire, Purrier's career accomplishments and accolades included the 2018 NCAA Indoor Mile National Championship, two NCAA regional championships in cross country, 11 All-American nods, and 17 individual America East championships across cross country and track & field, as she was a member of four of UNH seven championship cross country teams. She was just as impressive in the classroom, earning back-to-back America East Scholar-Athlete of the Year honors in her junior and senior seasons.
She was also no stranger to record-breaking times in her collegiate career; her senior season, ahead of winning the national title, she ran the second-fastest mile time in NCAA history (4:26.55), which broke her own school record in that event. In all, Purrier currently holds seven individual UNH school records across indoor and outdoor track, and is a part of four school record relay teams.
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Players Mentioned
Distance
/ Women's Track & FieldSunday, October 18
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Thursday, October 15