Charles Philibert-Thiboutot has received a prestigious invitation to start the Bowerman Mile which will take place on May 28 as part of a Diamond League stage presented in Eugene, Oregon.

Big hitters will be at the start line in Eugene, which later this summer will host the World Championship in Track and Field. Tokyo Olympic gold and silver medalists in the 1500m Jakob Ingebrigtsen and Timothy Cheruiyot will headline the field of 13 or 14 runners, along with Abel Kipsang who finished fourth in the Japanese capital.

"It's the toughest mile in the world," said Philibert-Thiboutot, "and it's a great mark of recognition to be invited. There is a whole history behind this race. Last year, I was invited to wave B and I finished in third position after dragging the peloton the whole race. Afterwards, I went to see the race director to thank him for inviting me. »

In fine fettle

Despite the very high level he will have to measure up to, the runner from the Université Laval club believes that he is in excellent conditions.

"I'm in the best shape of my career by far," he said. My victory in Boston on track in the 5000m and my Quebec records in the 5000m and 10000m in my last two races are a good omen of what I can do in Eugene. »

Philibert-Thiboutot will therefore not come to the starting line with the mentality of neglect.

"I worked a lot on the mental aspect this winter and I'm going there to win," he said. I will give everything. I don't consider myself an inferior version of the other runners present. »

Currently ranked 42nd in the world, the Félix-Antoine Lapointe protege hopes to attract attention for the next stages of the Diamond League in Europe.

“If I do well in Eugene, I could possibly get invites to events in Europe. Because the points are very high in Diamond, I could climb the ranking. My priority is to get into the top 20."

A different workout

By the Bowerman Mile, Philibert-Thiboutot will modify his training, he who stayed in Vancouver after the nationals in the 10,000m to reduce travel.

"Since the start of the season, the emphasis has been on endurance whereas from now on I have to work on my resistance to maintain a high speed, explained the one who achieved his standard in the 1500m and 5000m in order to to qualify for the Worlds which will also take place in Eugene from July 15 to 24. My stamina is so much better than it has ever been. The body needs a shock with a change in training, but I got my best ever sprint results this winter in training and hit personal bests over the long distance. The next two weeks will validate my steady progress. »

On the away Mile, Philibert-Thiboutot posted a career-best performance on August 14, 2021, posting a time of 3:52.97 in a match featured in Falmouth, Massachusetts.