Jenny Simpson broke the American record in the two-mile on Friday night, running 9:16.78 at the Drake Relays in Des Moines, Iowa, to better Shannon Rowbury’s mark of 9:20.25 from 2014.
Simpson now owns both two-mile American records. She ran 9:18.35 to set the indoor two-mile American record in 2015.
Friday also marked Simpson’s second appearance on the track in 2018. The four-time globalist medalist in the 1500m raced only once during the indoor season, an 8:40.31 3000m at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix, and had yet to compete outdoors.
With three laps remaining on Friday, Simpson separated herself from a field that included Brenda Martinez and Rachel Schneider and was alone to chase the record.
Simpson ran her penultimate lap in 69 seconds, meaning she needed to close in under 67 seconds to break the record. Simpson was up for the task, closing in 63.11 seconds to comfortably set the record and record the 12th-fastest time ever in the event.
Schneider ran 9:31.89 for second and Martinez finished third in 9:32.82.
TFW the crowd leads you to a new American record!
Congrats @trackjenny Simpson!
That makes her a SIX time Drake Relays Champion!
🏳️🏳️🏳️🏳️🏳️🏳️ pic.twitter.com/EMpCU6dLY7
— Drake Relays (@DrakeRelays) April 28, 2018