NASHVILLE, TN—Former Winthrop men's track and field standout Matthew Elliott broke the four-minute mile barrier at the 2011 Music City Distance Carnival and captured the event in the process.
Elliott won the event with an impressive time of 3:58.96 as he becomes just the second runner from South Carolina to ever break the mark as he achieved it for the first time in his career.
“We are very happy and proud of Matt's accomplishment,” said Winthrop head men's and women's cross country coach Ben Paxton. “We knew that the confidence he built here as an NCAA Qualifier would lead to bigger and better things. We look forward to following him in his quest for next year's Olympic trials.”
The Music City Distance Carnival is Tennessee's premiere track meet. In its short history, it has yielded more Tennessee all-comers records, State high school records, National Championships qualifying performances, and sub-4 minute miles than any other track meet in the state.
Elliott's next competition will be June 23-26 for the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Eugene, OR as he looks to qualify for the 2012 Summer Olympics to be held in London, England.
