Australian Harry Sharp Takes Summer Vacation To New York, Wins Marine Corps. Mile


The Armory, NYC - At first glance, it may be reasonable to expect overseas athlete Harry Sharp was visiting from Ireland.  But that large green shamrock on his jersey is for his high school, St. Patrick's College of Australia.

"My parents wanted to give me a white Christmas," the 15-year-old athlete from down under told MileSplit NY.

It's actually summer break back home, and the time was right for the Aussie athlete to travel East, seeing New York, and indoor track for the first time.  Still fit from a limited club circuit in their summer session, Sharp entered two races at the famed Armory Track and Field.  He had first heard of them from looking at MileSplit, and made it a goal to reach out and race.

His first effort should be considered a big success.  Leading from the wire in the Marine Corps Invitational Mile, Sharp took home a personal best of 4:25.02 indoors.  While it may not seem as fast as you may think, this was the first time Sharp had even seen an Indoor track, banked at 200m.  In addition, his training hadn't been ideal.

"It was actually the first time I had ever seen snow," Sharp said. "I've been doing most of my workouts in the gym (on the treadmill) at my hotel."

So what's next?  Sharp is looking at a fast 2-Mile at the Hispanic Games this weekend, "as it mirrors most the 3000m distance I race back home."

After that, he'll head back home.  Not a bad way to spend your Summer Vacation.

See some local articles of Sharp back at home.