May 25, 2004
(INDIANAPOLIS) In this Olympic Season, 50 years after Roger Bannister first broke the sub-four-minute mile barrier, the Indiana Invaders will host Wild Bill's Metric Mile race at the Big Blue National Invitational, on the campus of Hillsdale College, in Hillsdale Michigan on June 11-12th, 2004.

Wild Bill's Metric Mile, to be contested on June 12th, currently features some of America's top milers including Olympian Paul McMullen, a native of Michigan and graduate of Eastern Michigan University. McMullen was the 1996 Olympic Trials champion and was 10th at the 2001 World Championships. McMullen has a career best of 3:33.89 in the Metric Mile. McMullen headlines a field of nine athletes currently under 3:43 this Olympic season. The Olympic Trials Qualifying standard is 3:43.00. Challenging McMullen will be several of America's top milers including Clay Schwabe and Dan Wilson and the rest of the field of eight athletes currently under 3:43 this Olympic season. The Olympic Trials Qualifying standard is 3:43.00. Wilson was ranked 10th in the US last season.

Initial Entry Lists and Athlete Profiles:
http://www.nftl.net/events/2004/04_big_blue_status.asp?g=1&e=2

For anyone that has ever fantasized of running a sub-4 minute mile, or standing atop the awards stand at the Olympic Games, this is a unique opportunity to see the athletes that are training to perform at this level as they will come to the Hillsdale community for one purpose - as a final preparation for the U.S. Olympic Trials.

This event is a "Family Friendly, Spectator Friendly" competition featuring High Performance Entertainment on the track and is produced by NFTL, Inc. working with the Hillsdale Track & Field program. This will be the final opportunity for fans to experience the spirit of this Olympic Season in Michigan.

The High Performance Track & Field Series Director Greg Harger said, "This is an incredible opportunity for fans and athletes alike, as there will be some outstanding performances and competitive efforts featuring some of America's top milers. McMullen will be competing in front of his home state crowd for the final time this season." Harger added, "Hillsdale's outstanding Mondo surfaced facility will be a great place to compete with fast times."

Big Blue National Invitational Information:
http://www.nftl.net/events/2004/big_blue.asp