Jenny Simpson races to record-extending 6th 5th Avenue Mile win

NEW YORK – Jenny Simpson raced to her record-extending sixth New Balance 5th Avenue Mile victory Sunday, matching the event record of 4 minutes, 16.6 seconds.

New Zealand’s Nick Willis tied the men’s record with his fourth title, finishing in 3:51.3.

The 31-year-old Simpson, second in the world championships in London last month, won for the fifth straight time. She matched PattiSue Plummer’s time set in 1990.

“I thought the course record would have been out of reach for my whole career, so I’m really proud to have equaled it,” Simpson said. “I’ve had all the range of emotions before on 5th Avenue. I’ve finished this race before and cried because the season felt so long. I’ve finished this race before and hoped there was another race the next week. I feel so appropriately in the middle of those two emotions right now.”

Britain’s Laura Weightman was second in 4:17.6.

The 34-year-old Willis, a four time Olympian, tied the victory record set by Spain’s Isaac Viciosia.

Britain’s Chris O’Hare, was second in 3:52.0.