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Webb breaks American record in mile

Time of 3 minutes, 46.91 seconds eighth-fastest ever, best this year

IAAF Golden LeagueGetty Images
Alan Webb celebrates a victory in a race earlier this month. On Saturday, Webb ran the fastest mile ever by an American.

BRASSCHAAT, Belgium - Alan Webb set the American record in the mile Saturday, running 3 minutes, 46.91 seconds at a sparsely attended meet.

Webb’s time, the fastest in the world this year, bested the 3:47.69 run by Steve Scott in Oslo, Norway, in 1982.

Two weeks ago at the Gaz de France meet outside Paris, Webb ran the 1,500 meters in 3:30.54, also a world best this year. He beat Bernard Lagat for the U.S. title in June and appears to be in top form heading into the world championships next month in Osaka, Japan.

“It’s just really been a tremendous year,” Webb said.

Webb was the eighth fastest to ever cover the distance. Hicham El Guerrouj of Morocco owns the world record of 3:43.13.

Webb’s manager, Ray Flynn, estimated there were between 500 and 1,000 people at the Atletiek Vlaanderenmeet.

© 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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