OCU Stars Mile Night ft. The Simon Greiner Elite Mile

May 27, 2022

Fields Futures Simon Greiner Program Blog OCU Stars Mile Night Feature Image

In running, there are few strategies more important than the start. A fast start will leave you running on fumes down the final stretch of a distance race. And in a sprint, starting slow almost guarantees you’ll finish at the back of the pack.

Deciding how to start determines how you’ll run the rest of the race.

Fields Futures Simon Greiner Program Blog OCU Stars Mile Night Story Image

A Perfect Start for the OCU Stars Mile Night

On the evening of Sunday, May 22, 2022, the inaugural OCU Stars Mile Night got off to a perfect start—not too fast, but definitely not too slow—setting the perfect pace for future Stars Mile Nights to chase. The event was the first of its kind on Oklahoma soil, mixing open races with elite competitive running in an effort to promote the sports of track and distance running in the OKC community.

By partnering with the Simon Greiner Track & Field Program, Stars Mile Night gave more than 150 OKCPS runners and community members an opportunity to compete casually in a high-stakes race setting.

View the OCU Stars Mile Night photo gallery

Stars Mile Night started with 10 exhibition heats for boys and girls age groups ranging from elementary school to adult. The Simon Greiner Elite Mile men’s and women’s races anchored the event. Runners representing the University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University, Oklahoma City University, Oklahoma Baptist University, and East Central University participated in the elite mile races and attempted to post a sub-4:00 mile on an Oklahoma track.

Fields Futures Simon Greiner Program Blog OCU Stars Mile Night Story Image

The Fastest Mile in Oklahoma

OCU’s Shimales Abebe clocked an official time of 4:07 in the Simon Greiner Elite Men’s Mile. He narrowly missed the 4:00 mark but still posted the fastest mile time in Oklahoma this year.

In the Simon Greiner Elite Women’s Mile, Emma Downing, a recent OBU grad, finished with an official time of 4:57.

Elementary school runners received medals and the winners of the individual categories brought home individual trophies.

Fields Futures Simon Greiner Program Blog OCU Stars Mile Night Story Image

A Strong Finish

The inaugural OCU Stars Mile Night was full of PRs, fun times, and friendly competition. But more importantly, it showed that Oklahoma’s running scene is only picking up the pace.

4 Under 4: Stars Mile Night Shines at Historic Taft Stadium

On Friday, May 30, 2025, the Fourth Annual Stars Mile Night lit up historic Taft Stadium with four sub-4-minute miles, history-making performances, and an electric community atmosphere. While the Simon Greiner Elite Mile was full of record-breaking excitement, the night was life-changing for four standout OKCPS student-athletes awarded $1,000 scholarships from the Simon Greiner Track & Field Program. Stars Mile Night and the Simon Greiner Elite Mile proved yet again that the stars in OKC don’t just shine – they fly.

Pathway Partners Clear the Path & Pave the Way

At Fields & Futures, we believe youth sports have the power to change lives, transform communities, and light the way to a brighter future. Unfortunately, financial obstacles and resource limitations deter too many kids in Oklahoma City's urban core from ever stepping onto a field, court, or track. Pathway Partners are the indispensable forces that clear the path and pave the way to equal access and opportunity.

2025 OKCPS Summer Camps: Pathways to Play for All Students

OKCPS summer camps are back! For the third straight summer, OKCPS, Fields & Futures, and a widening circle of community partners are rolling out an ambitious lineup of camps, clinics, and summer leagues for 3,000 or more OKCPS students. Building on the momentum of previous summers, this year’s programming offers more sports, more access, and more pathways than ever before.

Fields & Futures