Sinclaire Johnson ran the fastest women’s mile in American history in finishing fourth overall at a Diamond League meet in London on Saturday. Johnson, 27, clocked 4 minutes, 16..32 seconds, in her first outdoor mile in four years, taking three hundredths off Nikki Hiltz’s American record from 2023…

Sinclaire Johnson ran the fastest women’s mile in American history in finishing fourth overall at a Diamond League meet in London on Saturday. Johnson, 27, clocked 4 minutes, 16..32 seconds, in her first outdoor mile in four years, taking three hundredths off Nikki Hiltz’s American record from 2023

 

LONDON — Sinclaire Johnson made history on Saturday at the Diamond League meet in London, running the fastest women’s mile ever recorded by an American. Clocking a blistering 4:16.32 in a fiercely competitive field, the 27-year-old distance runner broke Nikki Hiltz’s previous American record of 4:16.35, set just last year.

Though Johnson finished fourth overall in the race, her performance was nothing short of extraordinary. Not only did she shave three hundredths of a second off the national record, but she also did it in her first outdoor mile race in four years—underscoring a stunning return to form and announcing herself once again as a force on the international stage.

“This was a big one for me,” Johnson said after the race. “It’s been a while since I raced the mile outdoors, but I’ve felt good in training, and to come out here and do this — it’s incredibly validating.”

The race itself was one of the fastest in history. Ethiopia’s Diribe Welteji won in a scorching 4:14.46, narrowly edging out Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon, the world record holder, who finished second in 4:14.79. The pace was relentless from the gun, with the field going out aggressively under the guidance of pacemakers.

Despite being surrounded by some of the best middle-distance runners in the world, Johnson remained composed. Running from the middle of the pack, she steadily worked her way into position over the final laps, kicking hard in the final 200 meters to close with authority. Her 4:16.32 is now not only the American record but also places her among the top 10 all-time fastest women in the mile globally.

For Johnson, this performance comes after several seasons of regrouping. A former NCAA champion at the University of Oklahoma and 2022 U.S. champion in the 1500 meters, she’s long been considered one of the nation’s premier middle-distance talents. But injuries and inconsistency had kept her from building sustained momentum since that national title. Saturday’s run, however, marks a definitive turning point.

“Sinclaire’s effort was gutsy and tactical,” said her coach, Mark Rowland. “To run a national record in a race of this caliber — with that kind of pressure — says everything about her fitness and mindset right now.”

The American middle-distance scene has seen a dramatic surge in recent years, with athletes like Hiltz, Elle St. Pierre, and now Johnson pushing records and raising the bar. Johnson’s performance adds to the growing momentum ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympics, where she is expected to be a key contender in the 1500 meters.

“I’ve always believed I could be here,” Johnson said. “Now it’s about staying healthy, staying focused, and seeing how far I can take this.”

With the Diamond League continuing to serve as a proving ground for Olympic hopefuls, all eyes will be on Johnson as the season progresses. If Saturday’s performance is any indication, her best may still be ahead.