Old flame: Monument Mile rekindles Reniewicki’s love for our sport as U20 James clocks sub four

Sunday 6th September 2026

Johnathan Reniewicki posted the second fastest mile time ever seen in Scotland as his 3:52.08 won the Monument Mile Classic Men’s A race in anew Championship Record.

Then the affable American insisted the Stirling track meet – and the vision of Michael Wright – was a timely reminder of why he fell in love with our sport.

Women’s A race winner, Lindsey Butler, set a Championship Record, too, at 4:26.60 to underline the top end quality of a Saturday night meet now in the ninth year.

Scottish performances of note featured Senior Scottish 1500m champion, James Alexander, breaking four minutes at the age of 18 and some strong runs by young females, led by Freya Brown and Millie Glass Park.

So, once again, the Monument Mile Classic offered up something for everyone via the organisational team effort led by race director, the tireless Wright.

Reniewicki was challenged on the home straight by Henry Jonas at 3:52.94 and third-placed Andreas Feld Halversen at 3:54.39. Falkirk Vics athlete Kane Elliott was sub four at 3:59.51 in 11^th place.

Butler was chased home by Carley Thomas at 4:28.34 and third-placed Malin Hoelsveen. Corstorphine AAC athlete Alice Mourao ran 4:57.18.

Windless conditions helped towards those times with Reniewicki thrilled to hear he was close to the Scottish All-Comers Record for the mile – set by American track legend Sydney Maree at 3:51.48 at Meadowbank in 1983.

‘It is super cool to be in the same bracket at Sydney Maree – wow,’ smiled Johnathan.

‘I think a 3:51 back when he ran that is probably maybe a bit quicker than a 3:51 today with all of the technology and training advances but I’m still taking the compliment.

‘The conditions were brilliant. This is my fourth race in Europe and the three others were very windy.

‘I loved the Monument Mile Classic atmosphere here in Stirling. There’s a meet in the US called Sir Walter Miler, and this reminds me a lot of it.

‘It feels like a lot of fun. Everybody turns out and they crowd the edge of the track. It’s intimate.

‘I also find it super inspiring to see all the young athletes running the mile. There’s a team of like middle school age girls like at the hotel with us and spending like the meals with the elites and it was just kind of fun.

‘It reminds you when you were that age in the sport and helps you remember why you fell in love with the sport in the first place. And that’s just really enjoyable.’

The excitement built over the course of the evening with more than 30 miles races scheduled for athletes of all ages and stages.

Towards 9pm the top five races were centre stage and that series was kick-started by a home win for Central AC’s Alastair Marshall at 4:10.86.

Lasswade’s Freya then won the Women’s B race with a big winning margin from her 4:42.14. Aberdeen’s Millie was second at 4:50.15.

James Alexander then claimed victory in the Men’s B race at 3:59.59. Aberdeen AAC’s Adam Brown was third – and so close to that four minute barrier – at 4:00.20.