HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Thousands of runners packed Waikiki for the Kalakaua Merrie Mile on Saturday.

The one-mile race down Kalakaua Avenue is considered the appetizer before the main course, Sunday’s Honolulu Marathon.

A new record has been set after middle-distance runner Sinclaire Johnson broke the American road mile record at 4:21.

“It’s really special. I think I shocked myself today,” Johnson said. “I thought I could run, I don’t know in the 4:24’s, but yeah, to run 4:21 and get the American record is just a testament to my belief in myself and how hard I work, and so I’m really excited about it.”

Johnson, a 1,500-meter champion at Oklahoma State, has competed on some of the biggest stages, but said this one-mile race in the heart of Waikiki is her favorite.

“I mean the condi

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