O'Sullivan runs close to 1500m season best in Rovereto...

ROVERETO, Italy--Washington alum Sophie O'Sullivan (Paul Merca photo) finished eleventh in a very competitive field Tuesday evening over 1500 meters at the Palio Citta' Della Quercia meet.

O'Sullivan, who was in the back for most of the race, made a late charge, and finished in a time of 4:06.80, her second fastest time this season.

Laura Pellicoro of the Brooks Beasts, who hadn't raced in over a month, finished 15th in 4:08.25.

Italy's world and Olympic silver medalist at 10000 meters, Nadia Battocletti, won the race in a time of 3:59.49. Battocletti was qualified to compete in this weekend's World Athletics Ultimate Championships, but elected to end her season after the race in Rovereto.

For both Washington alums Luke Houser and Brian Fay, it was a tough go, as both finished towards the back in the men's 3000.

Houser, who was a late add to the field, finished 18th in 7:57.10, while Fay tried to hang with the first third of the field before fading to 19th in 7:57.48.

Kenya's Frankline Kibet, the world U20 champion at 5000 meters last month in Eugene, took the victory in 7:36.53.

Complete results of the Palio Citta' Della Quercia meet, a World Athletics Continental Tour Silver meeting, are available here.

2025 PODIUM FINISHER KAYLEY DeLAY RETURNS TO NYC FOR FIFTH AVENUE MILE SUNDAY...

The New York Road Runners announced the pro field for Sunday's New Balance Fifth Avenue Mile on the twenty-block stretch of Fifth Avenue from East 80th Street next to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, to the finish line on East 60th Street, near the south entrance to Central Park.

Washington alum Kayley DeLay of the Brooks Beasts, who finished second last year, returns to New York.

She'll face a field that includes former two-time Fifth Avenue Mile winner Jemma Reekie of Scotland, the European road mile record holder.

DeLay's Beasts teammates Laura Pellicoro and Teagan Schein-Becker are also in the women's pro field.

On the men's side, Brannon Kidder and Gary Martin of the Brooks Beasts will be joined by Washington alums Luke Houser and Aidan Ryan, along with Seattle resident Sam Prakel.

American Drew Hunter, who was third last year, looks to improve his placing from last year's race. He'll be challenged by among others, Australia's Olli Hoare, who was second in the 2021 edition.

2024 Fifth Avenue Mile champ Josh Kerr of the Brooks Beasts will obviously be missing from the field along with several others, as they will race in Budapest in the World Athletics Ultimate Championships in the 1500 meters.

ESPN Plus ($) will stream the New Balance Fifth Avenue Mile starting at 9am Pacific, with the women's pro race starting at 9:30 am, and the men's pro race starting fifteen minutes later.

The New York Road Runners release is available here.

NOTE: The Palio Citta' Della Quercia meet and the New York Road Runners contributed to this report.

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