FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  We are pleased to announce that JORDAY HASAY, Prep Athlete of the Year for 2008, has committed to run the two mile at the NIKE INDOOR NATIONALS in Boston.  Her entry sets up the first realistic shot at Melody Fairchild's 1991 mark of 9:55.92 also set at this meet in Syracuse.  Also in Hasay's sights, the indoor 3000m mark, 9:17.7 also by Fairchild in her 1991 race.  Last spring the young Californian clocked a 9:52.13 (9:19.6) so she has the talent to take Fairchild's record down. 

Frankly, when you are, quite probably, the finest Girl's distance runner in history, it's hard to find anyone who can give you a good race.  Strangely, that was the case with Fairchild in 1991.  I played a part in that historic race and, should Hasay or her coach, read this, I may do so again.  Let me explain.

The night before Fairchild's race, while walking through the lobby of the Hotel Syracuse, a hotel that could have doubled for The Shining building, Fairchild's coach called me over.  He and Melody were setting up her race plan.  He wanted to know about the quality of the competition.  I told him there would be none, Fairchild was the best in history and she'd be running alone.  He asked how I thought she should run.  My answer was to go out quickly and begin lapping other runners as quickly as possible and to keep doing so until the finish.  She did exactly that clocking back to back miles of 5:00 and 4:55 for her 9:55.92.  To get the record, the young California must do the same.  It's incumbent she plan on lapping the field at least once and, for the slower runners, probably twice.

Hasay has much more speed that Fairchild, having the potential to run close to or under 4:40 for a full mile.  If she can with discipline, run negative splits and not stop going all out until one stride past the finish line, she can best the record.

For a full account of Fairchild's race see one of my earlier columns.

Mike Byrnes, NSSF