American Mile Record Holder, Reston Native Alan Webb to Retire From Professional Running

Alan Webb, a 2001 graduate of South Lakes High School, Olympian and record holder, has announced that he will retire from professional running next month, according to Runner's World. 

Webb, who still holds the record for the fastest American mile, started breaking records as a sophomore, when he broke the Jim Ryun's sophomore mile record by almost a full second, running it in 4:06.94. 

In 2001 he ran a mile in 3:53.43 to break the high school record for fastest mile, which has been held for 35 years by Ryun. 

He also won the Virginia State High School title in the 800 meters (1:47.74) and became the fourth-fastest high schooler ever at that distance.

Webb later competed in the 1,500-meter at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens. 

On July 21, 2007, he became the fastest American mile runner, running it in 3:46.91 at a meeting in Brasschaat, Belgium, a record which he still holds. 

According to Runner's World, "there was a period in 2007, after victories in major races in New York and Paris and his American mile record of 3:46.91 in Belgium, when he was arguably the top 1500/mile runner on the planet."

Webb's contract with Nike expired on Dec. 31, 2013 and was not renewed, and he told Sports Illustrated's Tim Layden via text message that he was "burned out" on running. 

Webb won't stay off his feet for long however, he will turn his attention to competing in triathlons, something he told Layden he has wanted to do since he was a kid. 

He was named to the South Lakes High School Hall of Fame in 2012. 

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