by Jeff BenjaminCharlie Grice has wheels. With 800m PB of 1:45.72, Mile of 3:52.64 and 1,500m PB of 3:30.62. His 1,500m of 3:30.62 is the 4th best time by a Brit of all time.
Charlie Grice, photo by Getty Images / British Athletics
Charlie will be taking on the exciting field that Ray Flynn has assembled at the NYRR Millrose Wanamaker Mile. Jeff Benjamin sent Charlie four questions, and Charlie responded, with vigor and enthusiasm!
Thanks to Jeff Benjamin and our friend, NYRR Millrose meet director Ray Flynn.
4 Questions With 2020 NYRR Millrose Games Wanamaker Mile Runner Charlie Grice
By Jeff Benjamin
Charlie Grice is another British Miler who comes from that country’s elite traditions.
In 2012 Grice, who has competed on the Olympic and World level, broke Steve Ovett’s British junior mile record, running 3:57.90 at the London Grand Prix in Crystal Palace as part of the Diamond League. In doing this he became one of less than 75 athletes who has achieved a sub-four minute mile clocking by the age of 18.
Possessing a personal best 1-Mile time of 3:52.64, Grice reached the pinnacle in British Mile performances last Summer in Monaco, July 2019, as he raced a 1500 meters time of of 3:30.62, to overtake Steve Ovett on the all-time Brit list, placing him fourth behind Sebastian Coe, Steve Cram and Mo Farah.
How will he do indoors at Millrose?
1) How Did You Start Out in the Sport?
I use to play a lot of football in central mid field position. I went to cross country club once a week to improve my fitness. I didn’t enjoy it and only went as my brother went too! We would run around the football pitches.
I got entered into local area schools cross country race and won the race, beating kids that were two years older than me. I won the race wearing football boots, I had elastic bands around the laces to stop them coming undone!
From then,r I got approached by the local athletics club coach to join up. Never looked back since!
2) When was the first time you saw elite athletes compete live and how did that influence you?
I went to a Grand prix at Crystal Palace and saw the likes of Lagat, Willis etc racing in their prime, that definitely inspired me a lot. I was also lucky enough to get tickets to go to London 2012 and I witnessed Rudisha break the WR.
3) What is it about the Millrose Games that motivates you to compete there?
I love competing in the US because people really understand Track & Field. The atmosphere at Millrose is always buzzing, and I know it will be a hell of a line up in the Wannamaker Mile!
4) What ideas/encouragement/advice can you suggest to young athletes hoping to one day compete in Millrose at the highest level?
I would say to find which sport you are good at and that you enjoy. Once you’ve decided that, then join a club and stay patient with your training because good things take time! And running isn’t easy!
