Thousands of runners race, compete in the New Balance 5th Avenue Mile in New York City

Thousands of runners put their sneakers on to compete in Sunday's New Balance New Balance 5th Avenue Mile, the most iconic road mile race in the world stretching 20 blocks down Fifth Avenue.

The event is one of 60 adult and youth races produced by nonprofit New York Road Runners (NYRR) and has taken place since 1981.

In the Pro Women's Mile, American Karissa Schweizer came out on top, finishing the race with a time of 4:14.8. Kenya's Dorcas Ewoi and Susan Ejore finished in second and third, respectively.

"I was just really excited to be out here. There was a lot of just like good energy out there, and we went out really fast," Schweizer told Eyewitness News after the race. "I knew that if I just kept pressing the pace that it was going to come down to more of a strength race. It was really fun out there."

Meanwhile, 2024 Olympic Silver Medalist Josh Kerr of Great Britain defended his title from last year's Men's Pro Mile race, finishing in 3:44.3, setting a new course record. American Josh Hoey came in second, followed by Kenya's Amon Kemboi to round out the top 3.

WABC-TV televised the event where more than 8,000 runners took part this year across 30 different heats, including professional athlete races featuring Olympians, Back to School Mile heats for Rising New York Road Runners, a George Sheehan Memorial Mile for seniors, an NYPD and FDNY Mile for service members, a Media Mile for journalists, and NYRR Road Mile Championship heats. New this year, runners who are part of the NYRR Unlock 26.2 x New Balance training program for the TCS New York City Marathon will have their own heat.

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Some of runners for the men's race included defending 5th Avenue Mile champion Josh Kerr, Robert Farken, Neil Gourley, Edwin Kurgat and Cathal Doyle.

On the women's side, U.S. Olympic medalist and world champion Emma Coburn led a field along with Marisa Howard, Emily Mackay, Whittni Morgan, Karissa Schweizer Courtney Wayment and several others.

"As I make my way back from injury, I can't think of a better event to make my comeback than returning to run the New Balance 5th Avenue Mile," Coburn said in a statement. "I've been training hard since my surgery, and lining up with this world-class group of athletes on this iconic course will feel so good."

New York Road Runners offers inclusive and accessible experiences year-round for people of all ages and abilities to transform their lives. As the shortest distance of any NYRR race, the New Balance 5th Avenue Mile offers the perfect entry point for new runners looking to get into the sport and be part of a community, as well as a chance for experienced runners to clock a personal best.

RELATED: FDNY runners proud to represent department for 5th Avenue Mile

Ryan Field reports on the two FDNY runners proud to represent department for 5th Avenue Mile.

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