226. 2 x Olympian Nick Willis on What it Takes to Run a Sub-4 Mile for 19 Years Straight

Midnight Mile

The Midnight Mile Gala is an innovative event that combines the thrill of track racing with a festive New Year's Eve celebration. Nick Willis plans to run a mile race at the stroke of midnight, aiming for his 20th consecutive year of breaking the four-minute barrier. The event, held at the New Balance Track and Field Center in New York City, features a gala with a beer garden, DJ, and dance floor, all while raising funds for the Tracksmith Foundation 1.

We're trying to make it a big New Year's Eve celebration that happens to have a couple of track races and community and youth and a couple of elite races as well.

--- Nick Willis

Attendees can support the cause by purchasing tickets or making donations, with all proceeds going to support track programs 2.

   

Track Advocacy

Nick Willis is actively involved in advocating for track programs, particularly in response to recent cuts at several prestigious universities. He highlights the efforts of Russell Dinkins, who successfully reinstated track programs at institutions like Clemson and the University of Minnesota. Willis's foundation supports these initiatives, aiming to prevent future cuts and promote youth participation in track and field 3.

We're going to try and double down on those efforts and do more proactive work as opposed to reactive, to make sure that athletic directors know that cutting track programs is a no go.

--- Nick Willis

The Midnight Mile Gala serves as a fundraising event to bolster these advocacy efforts, ensuring the longevity of track programs across the country 2.