Tactical Race Leads To Wild Finish In Women's Mile At Prefontaine Classic 

By Lori Shontz For DyeStat

John Nepolitan Photo

In the back of their mind, Nikki Hiltz had always wondered: If the opportunity presented itself, could they outkick Faith Kipyegon? They thought maybe.

But they also knew the obstacle to finding out: the ability to get anywhere near Kipyegon for the final 100 meters. Said Hiltz: “She’s always so far ahead.”

So when the women’s mile Saturday at The Prefontaine Classic turned tactical, that meant the field was bunched as it rounded the final turn, and Hiltz was toward the front of the pack … next to Kipyegon.

“I was like, ‘I think this might be the only time in my entire career that for the last 100 meters we can just go head to head,’” Hiltz said. “And I just got excited.”

Hiltz did outkick Kipyegon and the rest of the field, winning the mile in 4:17.49 for a second Diamond League victory.

“Every lap I just felt better and better,” Hiltz said. “It’s rare when those days happen, so I’m glad that when I felt good, I could capitalize on it.”

Dorcus Ewoi ran 4:17.62 for second, and Kipyegon finished in 4:17.80 for third. It was Kipyegon’s first loss in a 1,500 or mile race in five years.

“I just wanted to follow the ladies,” Kipyegon said. “That’s why I’m not going crazy. At the same time, nobody knows behind the scenes of everything.”

Hiltz had hoped to regain the U.S. record in the race – they peaked for this meet, in fact – and talked about it during Friday’s press conference. But they suspected that the race wouldn’t be a fast one; Hiltz said Kipyegon was “giving vibes of I’m not going to lead.”

Hiltz’s coach asked whether they wanted the U.S. record or the win. The answer: the win. (And Hiltz did get another record: The Hayward Field record, which had stood for 38 years because the women’s mile is run so infrequently there, was 4:21.25 by Mary Decker Slaney. Eight of the 14 runners surpassed it.)

Hiltz said the win felt important this week, especially, when the U.S. Supreme Court upheld West Virginia and Idaho laws that bar transgender girls and women from playing on girls and women’s teams. The ruling was not unexpected, Hiltz said, but still disappointing.

Hiltz, who identifies as non-binary, said they often face criticism and abuse online, particularly social media, but said that has not really been the case at the track since coming out in 2021. Hiltz has advocated for trans athletes and consistently discussed their own coming out journey.

“The biggest thing is that trans people are being dehumanized, and I’m kind of doing the opposite, I’m humanizing that experience,” Hiltz said. “And I think that could really go a long way.”

Some commenters online, in particular, don’t understand Hiltz's identity. Some incorrectly think Hiltz is a trans man taking testosterone. Others incorrectly think Hiltz is a biological man who is competing in women’s events.

“Honestly,” Hiltz said, “a lot of people can’t really even insult me correctly.”

The track and field community, Hiltz said, has been largely supportive, particularly in using their pronouns. “From when I came out in 2021 to now, it’s so night and day,” they said. “People just need a few years or a few months or whatever to learn.”

Hiltz hopes that their openness and attempts to educate will reach beyond the track and field world, as well.

“I think that’s how I can maybe make a little change in the world,” they said. “I keep leaning into that. The more I keep showing up as myself and the more I’m affirmed in my gender, the better I run.”