Arnold Wins NYRR Mile

St. Luke’s junior Thomas Arnold took first place in the New York Road Runners race in Washington Heights, New York, on Sunday, March 7.

The NYRR One Mile Series, a monthly series of one-mile races, takes place between March and August, with one race held in each of the five boroughs, as well as one race in Jersey City.

All races, including the recent Washington Heights race, will follow the NYRR Return to Racing guidelines, which require masks, health screenings, and strict social distancing for all runners. 

On a hilly course with staggered starts, Arnold beat a field of more than 300 runners in his first race of the spring, with a time of 4:52. The New Canaan native hopes to build on this success: “There aren't too many races right now because of COVID, but if I can find some one-mile races, I will compete in them. Also, I'm not sure yet if the USATF Junior Olympics will take place this summer. If it does, one of my goals is to race in it. I am also looking to improve my personal best for the mile and hopefully run sub 4:30.”

Arnold trains six days a week combining some shorter runs with one longer run and two track workouts.

Arnold ran for St. Luke’s Varsity Cross Country team in eighth grade before switching in high school to soccer, his other passion. He continues to run outside of the fall season, because of his love for the sport, and sees the benefits on the soccer field: “I think that my training helps a lot with soccer. Since I run throughout the year, I go into preseason in pretty good shape and my fitness helps towards the end of games when the other kids are getting tired.”

The New Canaan native thinks it works both ways and that playing soccer helps his running, too: “Running day in and day out can get very tiring, so the soccer season gives me a good break from running every single day. I have broken a number of personal bests and had some of my quickest races just after the soccer season. Soccer keeps me fit and fresh.”