The Midnight Mile

Few runners have been more consistent year in and year out than 5-time Olympian, 2-time Olympic medalist and now Tracksmith athlete manager, Nick Willis. At the stroke of midnight on January 1st, the thirty-eight-year-old Very Nice Track Club athlete attempted to run a sub-four-minute mile for the 20th consecutive year. Was Nick able to keep his streak going? In the very first few minutes of 2022, we watched his race unfold - and were reminded that it's never too early, or too late to keep chasing your goals.

[@pizzahut972]

6:35 “So close dad you did really well, good job” man that’s so pure

[@nelz2012]

Given the body’s natural circadian rhythm, I have to believe that attempting a high performance at midnight is almost certainly not going to facilitate an optimal result. Great job Nick!

[@jama211]

He did it! On the 31st of Jan he ran 3:59.71 - Nice work Nick!

[@MaxReisinger]

Nick Willis is a legend. So much respect. Thanks for putting out great content like this!

[@teagan1117]

Max! I love your content, bro. Cool to see you're a fellow track athlete. Keep up the good work.

[@nickwillis3334]

Thanks Max

[@coastalbeaches7181]

How do I watch so many videos with your comments lol, also love your vids!

[@jama211]

He did it! On the 31st of Jan he ran 3:59.71 - Nice work Nick!

[@bendover2743]

I love Mason Ferlic, but he should’ve just moved out of Nick’s way after 880 yards, because he was slowing considerably splitting a 61 second 440 yards. And then Willis had so much ground to make up to Kessler in the last 600m when Ferlic should’ve let Willis go

[@justinyoung7207]

I agree. I was about to make a similar comment before I saw your take on it.

[@abukecik]

Facts

[@ericklein435]

He was in lane 2 after 880 and saw that Hobbs had gapped nick. That's what it looked like anyways so imo he stayed on so he could help bridge that gap. 2:01 couldn't have been the plan either...but damn .22!!

[@AsianSensation]

Man if there was a crowd there, this goes completely differently

[@moreysmith3077]

Facts @asian sensation, I love your videos by the way

[@maxho4600]

asian sensation into running???

[@AsianSensation]

Lmao the big Morey himself

[@charliezhang2679]

wait this is the btd guy

[@charliezhang2679]

what events do/did you do?

[@PrentisHancock1]

Nick, that was so close! Certainly still capable of a 3:57 mile, if in the right competition. Come the summer on the European circuit, he'll do it.

[@MrSlaidback]

This takes the whole “ I’m going for a run in the new year to whole new level”

[@yourunclemaurice6234]

He’ll have the rest of 2022 to run a 3:55 or some shit. That was a nice close! If Ferlic moved out of the way before he would’ve gotten it.

[@jama211]

He did it! On the 31st of Jan he ran 3:59.71 - Nice work Nick!

[@tedallison6112]

What a class act!

[@fabi8731]

I think the time being at midnight might have been what pushed Nick over the 4min barrier. I reckon that if he had done it on Jan 1 or 2 at more humane hours, then he would've easily slippend under 4

[@atedejong5620]

sub 4 mile on an indoor track court is pretty impressive compared to just outside track!! even 4.00.2 is still an amazing achievement after 20 years.

[@EvanBalizado]

Anyone else thinking ferlic and hobbs stayed a little too long in front of nick?

[@Cleps1119]

They were pacers, that was the job

[@kaleb1654]

especially ferlic, he should have moved behind nick after 800

[@christopherhamill525]

Hobbs did fine, ferlic trapped him at a pace just too slow.

[@theballer4150]

Hobbs should’ve let him through at the bell instead of shortly after. But yeah Ferlic made Willis slow by dropping far behind Hobbs and then when he finally let him through it took a lot of energy for Willis to catch up to Hobbs Hobbs looked really strong tho. Im sure he purposely slowed up to let Nick have his moment but he’ll be running some fast miles/1500s this year

[@SpartaSpartan117]

Yeah, I think with slightly better pacing he would have gotten it, has to be worth 0.22 seconds right

[@brandonmroe265]

Great mini-doc, beautifully produced! Tracksmith's film crew and editors have made some great commercials, and this is an expansion upon that highly professional cinematography.

[@MKNYC_]

Running here during high school was awesome, lots of great memories in The Armory

[@timmytheinventor4746]

Easily sub 4 outdoors, you can do it Nick, maybe go for Millrose, you can run like a 3:56 there.

[@capt.lovestarii2752]

I never thought we'd see another New Zealander like the legendary John Walker but Nick Willis comes pretty darn close. They are neck and neck for longevity: Walker ran sub 4 for 18 consecutive seasons. Willis recently surpassed that. And there's nothing between them on times. Walker had pbs of 1:44.92, 3:32.4, 3:49.4, 7:37.49 and 13:19.28. Willis: 1:45.54, 3:29.66, 3:49.83, 7:36.91 and 13:20.33. Walker of course won Olympic 1500 gold in 1976 but Willis has medalled twice at Olympic Games, scoring silver in the silver in 2008 and bronze in 2016. Walker never won gold in the Commonwealth Games, denied by Bayi in that legendary race 1974. Willis on the other hand took 1500 gold in 2006. Both have exactly CG 3 medals apiece. Willis still has to match Walker as the oldest sub-4 Kiwi. Walker knocked out a phenomenal 3:55 at the age of 38 and would maybe have done sub 4 at 40 but for injury.

[@bananadude9642]

Are you kidding me??? That was a godly achievement!!!!!!!!!

[@SpencerMahon]

Nick will do it! That was a really cool piece on the race itself!

[@jama211]

He did it! On the 31st of Jan he ran 3:59.71 - Nice work Nick!

[@brendandunn6331]

One of the best millers ever. I hope the broadcasters who cover major meets (champs,olympics etc.) read this: there are few people in history who are so humble, have achieved so much and have an incredible knowledge of the 15/mile that they love to share. We need him to be on commentary at those meets (if he isn't running that is ;) )

[@brendandunn6331]

Thank you for a magnificent video. It is sensational.

[@wilmerrose]

As long as you want it it's never over..

[@kofuzi]

really wish I could have been there

[@4thelongrun131]

Nick is a legend man 👍👍

[@shakejohnson5065]

I haven’t finished the video but damn Hobbs can run wow beautiful

[@sotimak6554]

Legend and a winner no matter what 💛

[@bunnieg6294]

Luca Chatham representing San Antonio! 210 stand up!

[@brianagonzalez4175]

Ayooo

[@SPEEDGOLFTV]

.22 for 22! My wife reckons you you got it Nick ! Great video thanks

[@steffenlang4815]

Inspiring stuff👌. Don’t let age get in your way. Still able to do great things

[@maxwang2562]

Sounds so fun. They should have another race for anyone who just wants to have some fun running across a new year.

[@ericpetersen8645]

They had a slew of other races including age group and all comers planned along with a fundraising gala for New Year’s Eve with this race as the headliner but….COVID spike. Nick goes in detail on this and all the pre planning on The Drop podcast with the BIR team.

[@Highrockman]

Always a favorite!

[@tiffanypao]

Way to go, Nick!!

[@asiocentric]

What a great effort! I never knew about this run! I feel like it should be so much bigger. I’ll definitely be watching out for this one next year!

[@abnrangerjapo]

Oh my goodness!!! What a race

[@sunnydays5581]

If you can, and its there, you go again. Your kids understand, so it would be wonderful if you take them on the journey one last time. They will never ever forget it A farewell tour of sorts. It''ll be fun. There are some seriously talented athletes emerging, of which some will never have the hardware you've earned. Who knows, one race, the stars align, you pull it off, and you take one out , to remind all. God Bless

[@TW-fv2zu]

That's AMAZING, Willis 💯!!!

[@owenwesterhout]

This is so awesome!

[@alh.4000]

4:00.22 indoors is sub 4 outdoors assuming it's not super windy.

[@Williamottelucas]

Now to run a sub-4 as a 40-year-old, the last feat that John Walker never managed.

[@michaelsanderson9562]

Nick and Hobbs both looked good, hopefully we’ll see them in the field for Millrose

[@erwankinsella3641]

I know Nick is entered in the mile at Millrose.

[@shawnbrennan7526]

Wow. Great effort and great video. Only like a meter short of sub 4. Good luck with the rest of the year.

[@jama211]

He did it! On the 31st of Jan he ran 3:59.71 - Nice work Nick!

[@acampbell2178]

You can tell when someone has more in the tank.

[@stuartwalker6786]

Why the hell did Ferlic pull in between after 880? (unless that's what they discussed?....but seems strange...outdoor/windy, I'd understand, but indoor!)....if he'd let willis get onto Kesslers heels...he'd have done it as he had to surge to get back to Kessler's heels when the gap happened, Kessler in turn had to ease a few %, and then reaccelerate... probably worth at least the 1/4 second!!!....such a shame

[@Shevock]

Hopefully after his next build up for the attempt he has a series of miles, rather than all that pressure on one attempt. They went out too hard and dropped off too much in the 3rd lap.

[@teachermatt]

No doubt you got it if you give it another go. Good effort and move on with it.

[@gummy5862]

I’m confused with the premise of this. Doesn’t he still have the rest of 2022 to get his sub four mile for his 20th consecutive?

[@mckailboynton4254]

yes, he just wanted to get out of the way while still fit from 2021 season

[@gummy5862]

@@mckailboynton4254 Ok cool so he hasn’t “failed”, he simply hasn’t accomplished it yet.

[@davidmackellar6212]

@@gummy5862 Yeah but at 38 years old you don't want to wait to long into the year.

[@user-qf9fe3pu7o]

Живут же люди! А наши соревнуются кто больше "нажрался" в новогоднюю ночь)

[@andyschweitzer]

Very nice!

[@Bronxxxnyc]

The first race of the year is always the hardest. If he stays healthy, he will go sub 4.

[@arielapohlbickell2116]

nice video, I think he would have done it if the Midnight Mile Gala had not been cancelled. Also why wasn't there a clock on screen? I wanted to see his splits!!

[@christophersmith3254]

.22 !!!

[@blairmartin7984]

Bugger!

[@04SpiritDetective]

Should've let Hobbs lead after 600m. Still that's not easy

[@leslie7922]

Nice

[@calvin_geo]

Ayo I run track meets at the armory I’m going there this Sunday 💪

[@bunnieg6294]

Best of luck

[@zacsakacsi]

If a crowd was there.. easily could have done it

[@emanueldelapaz5115]

Should’ve wore the Nike dragonfly

[@noahserrault]

What is the music at 4:55?

[@OfficialSayyeau]

Ferlic ruined that entire race for nick! Dude you knew you were slowing up! Surprised nobody said get out of the way!

[@rickharmon6601]

Those guys slowed him down and ruined it for him. Get better lead men.

[@ryantalbott8090]

Not really sure the logic behind running at midnight, had he just waited until like mid day or even late morning to run the mile on New Year’s Day, he would’ve gotten it

[@backYARDbanter13]

classic pretentious tracksmith move to call the splits as 440's