Although 16 athletes will toe the line Saturday afternoon in
the David Sammons Elimination mile, only 8 will cross the finish. The
elimination mile is not a traditional event in track and field, but it adds a
twist to the track and field's most historic distance event. Most spectators in Norman
on Saturday will have never seen or possibly even heard of such an event before the meet. So, what is an elimination mile? Put in simplest terms, it's just
like the standard mile except every lap the field will be trimmed down by one
runner. The field will begin with 16 athletes when the race starts but on each lap
of the track the runner in last place will be asked to step off the track. It
takes 8 laps of the Mosier Indoor Facility to reach one mile so as the bell sounds
only 8 runners will remain.
In high school races the fittest athlete is often the one who ends up winning. However, in an elimination mile, it adds to the possibility the best athletes can be eliminated if they are unaware, they are at the back of the field. A kicker who may prefer to sit and wait to strike risks finding themselves on the chopping block if they are cognizant. Expect some wild surges to be thrown every time they come down the homestretch as athletes will look to secure their spot safe from elimination! It will take some guts to win this race as runners will have to weather a storm of surges if they want to find themselves sitting on the coveted throne at the end of the race.
Boys David Sammons Elimination Mile Entries: