DES MOINES, Iowa — Krissy Gear broke the American record while Vince Ciattei claimed his third career title at the 2025 Grand Blue Mile on Tuesday night in downtown Des Moines.
The event served as the USATF 1 Mile Road Championships and a qualifier for Team USA at the upcoming World Road Race Championships.
Krissy Gear, the 2023 U.S. steeplechase champion, made a late push in the women’s race to overtake Iowa natives Shelby Houlihan and Karissa Schweizer to seal the victory.
The Fort Myers, Florida-born former Arkansas standout, finished with a time of 4 minutes, 23.98 seconds, breaking the previous national record set by Nikki Hiltz in Des Moines two years ago.
“The record was just the cherry on top. I was just (thinking) get to the finishing line first,” Gear said.
Meanwhile, Schweizer took second place with a time of 4:24.40, while Gracie Morris rounded out the top three with 4:24.73. Both Gear and Schweizer qualified to represent Team USA at the World Championships.
In the men’s race, Vince Ciattei won his third USATF 1 Mile Road Championship with a time of 3:54.55. This marks his second straight title in the event, with all three of his championships coming in Des Moines.
“I’ve had a long career,” Ciattei said. I am 30, not a spring chicken anymore.
“This might not be the Olympic team, but it means just a much to me to be qualifying for my first US team. It means so much, he added.
Sam Ellis took second place in his road mile debut with a time of 3:54.95, while Craig Engels finished third at 3:55.09. Ciattei and Ellis earned spots on Team USA for the World Championships.
The Grand Blue Mile kicked off Drake Relays week in Des Moines, with more than 2,100 people taking part in the recreational division. The event included the inaugural Spike’s Sprint youth race and a Mascot Madness competition.
Drake Relays week continues with the World Shot Put Series and the start of the decathlon and heptathlon competitions on Wednesday.