41st Running, Subaru Buffalo 4-Mile Chase

Friday, July 21^st @ 7pm

Elmwood Avenue at Bidwell Parkway

Schedule of Events, Bios, Event History, All-Time Winners

BUFFALO, NEW YORK—The 41^st Running of The Subaru Buffalo 4-Mile Chase will take place on Friday, July 21^st at 7:00 P.M.  Over the years, the race has attracted over 33,000 participants from 30 foreign countries and every state to include former Olympians, Medal Winners and World Record Holders.

The Subaru 4- Mile Chase has been recognized as Western New York’s Premier International Sporting Event, one of the top 3 Four-Mile Races in the world and the social running event of the summer.

This year’s event is expected to attract some of the top US and Foreign athletes who compete in major road races in the country and abroad.  Returning this year is 3-time winner (2016-17-19) Monica Ngige, 30, from Kenya.  Ngige was formerly ranked #4 in the World for 5k.  She placed 5^th in the Boston Marathon in 2022 and hit the podium there in 2021, finishing 3^rd.  Her major road race wins include: Cooper River Bridge Run (Charleston, SC), Crescent City Classic (New Orleans, LA), and The Azalea Trail Run (Mobile, Alabama).

The race will start on Elmwood Avenue and Bidwell Parkway and finish at the Buffalo Seminary on Bidwell.

SUBARU BUFFALO 4-MILE CHASE SCHEDULE OF EVENTS JULY 21, 2023

• 11:00 AM  Registration and Expo on Bidwell Parkway.
•   5:00 PM  Pre-Race Party Music by DJ Milk & DJ Yes
•   5:00 PM  Registration for Kids races ages 5 thru 10
•   6:40 PM  Kids’ races begin
•   6:45 PM  Elite Runner introductions/pre-race instructions
•   6:50 PM  Pre-Race Drum Roll – Buffalo Bills Drummers
•   6:55 PM  Last call to the start
•   7:00 PM  Race Start
•   7:18 PM  First Male Finisher
•   7:20 PM  First Female Finisher
•   7:30 PM  Post Race Party
•   8:30 PM  Awards Ceremony

 

SUBARU 2023 BIOS

Muruts Wbat 21, Ethiopia

• 1^st Place Kip Keino Classic Nairobi 2022
• Ran Personal and Seasons best 5000m 13:44
• Moi International Sports Center Nairobi

 

Fikadu Haftu 29, Ethiopia

• Top 10 African Championships
• Top 8 at World Cross Country Championships
• 5^th Place 10,000m African Championships
• Silver Medalist World Cross Country Championships

 

Simon Kimunge 23, Kenya

• 1^st Place 2022 Subaru Buffalo 4-Mile Chase
• His career bests come from Japan as a Junior highlighted by a
• 13:42 5k and 29:42 10k
• 1^st Place Saegaya 5000m Kitakyushu Japan 2020
• 1^st Place Kosa 10k Kosa Japan

 

Maeregu Hayelom 24, Ethiopia

• Top Finishes include
• 3^rd  Place Langueux 10 k France
• 3^rd Place Warsaw ½ Marathon Poland
• 1^st Place Sofia Marathon Poland

 

Meselu Berhe 23, Ethiopia

• Career Accomplishments Include
• World Under 20 Championships Silver Medalist
• African Under 20 Championships Bronze Medalist
• Top 8 World Cross Country Championships
• 2^nd Place Platja D’en Bosa 10k Ibiza Spain
• 5^th Place ECCC Cross Country, Spain 2023

 

Monicah Ngige 30, Kenya

• Formerly Ranked # 4 in the world for 5k
• First Female  2016-17-19 Subaru Buffalo 4 Mile Chase
• 3^rd Place Boston Marathon 2021
• 5^th Place Boston Marathon 2022
• Major Road Race Wins Include:
• Cooper River Bridge Run, Charleston S.C.
• Crescent City Classic, New Orleans
• Mobile Azalea Trail Run , Mobile Alabama

 

Dylan Gearanger 25, Old Forge, Pa.

• Top 10 U.S. Marathon Rankings 2021
• 2 Time National Track &Field Qualifier
• Top 100 International Rankings for Indoor 3000
• 1^st Place Pittsburgh 10 Miler 2022
• 2^nd Place Philadelphia Marathon 2021

 

Victor Shitsama 24, Kenya

• 3  Time NCAA All American Oklahoma State
• 2023 NCAA Track & Field Championship 3000m steeplechase
• 2^nd Place Subaru 4-Mile Chase 2022
• Career Best 13:53 5k 29:14 10k
• 1^st Place Stanford Invitational 10,000m 2022

 

Bernard Koech 28, Kenya

• 6^th Place Generali Marathon, Geneva, Switzerland 2023
• 6^th Place Grandmas Marathon, Duluth, Minn. 2022
• 3^rd Place Maratona di Ravenna, Ravenna, Italy 2021

 

The 41^st Running of the Subaru Buffalo 4- Mile Chase History, Facts and Figures

1. Starting in 1981, 292 runners started the “Casey’s Nickelodeon 4-Mile Chase” on Bidwell Parkway and Elmwood Avenue towards the Historic Richardson Complex on Forest Ave. Turning right on Forest they continued to  Delaware Avenue and passed the burial site of our 13^th president, Millard Fillmore in Forest Lawn Cemetery. They continued past the stately mansions on Delaware Avenue, passing  the Red Cross on Summer and  entered and enjoyed 1 and ½ miles of the “Elmwood Strip”. During the following 39 years this unique 4-mile race course has provided a challenge for some of the best runners in the world.
2. In 1985, known as The Black Tower Wine Chase, it was the first race to offer Prize Money in then its 90-year history of W.N.Y.’S road races.
3. In 1986 Subaru became the Major Sponsor, now celebrating 35 years as Presenting and Major Sponsor.
4. It was an amateur fun run which turned into a nationally recognized race that has attracted former Olympians, Medalists and World Record Holders.
5. Established a male masters’ 4-mile world record in 1990 set by John Campbell of New Zealand. Campbell in that year won the New York City, Boston and Los Angeles. Marathon masters’ division.
6. The race gives local runners an opportunity to test themselves against some of the top runners in the world. Open to runners of all ages and experience.
7. Is one of only 3 major four-mile races in the world used to keep track of age group winners who qualify for the world all time rankings by The Association of Road Racing Statistics. One of the top 3 four-mile races in the world.
8. Recognized as “ The Jewel among area road races” …Buffalo News and “ A World Class Race, W.N.Y.”s Premier International Sporting Event” …Buffalo Spree.
9. Brings prestige to W.N.Y. and has taken its place as one of the Top Regional Races in the Country.
10. Has attracted 32,670 participants from 30 foreign countries (now 32 with entries this year from Algeria and  Burundi) and every state.

Contact Jim Nowicki (Race Director) at 716-983-5810 for additional information.

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