NEW YORK — Jenny Simpson, one of the most successful track and field athletes in University of Colorado history, enjoyed a victorious New York moment Sunday, easily winning the Fifth Avenue Mile.
Simpson, the 2011 world champion and silver medalist this year in the 1,500-meter run, won in 4 minutes, 19.3 seconds — the fourth-fastest women’s finish in the history of the race. Fellow American Morgan Uceny was second in 4:23.4.
Simpson didn’t waste any time making her way to the front of the pack after a quarter-mile. At three-quarters of a mile, she had a four-second advantage on the lead group of runners.
“I didn’t know how much of a lead I had. I just kept focusing on the car ahead of me,” said Simpson, a multiple NCAA steeplechase champion.
With cheers from the crowd growing in the final 200 meters, a smile crept across Simpson’s face as the two-time Olympian realized her second victory here in three years was imminent.
“Thanks to everyone that came out to #5thAveMile to cheer us on today,” Simpson posted on her Facebook account. “The crowd excitement makes a huge difference!!!”
