Nick Willis (blue singlet) runs outside fellow Kiwi Hamish Carson during the men's mile race at Cooks Gardens.

New Zealand's top distance runner for the last decade showed at the mecca of New Zealand mile running just why he has an Olympic medal and three Commonwealth medals to his name, as well as the national 1500m record.

Willis trounced the field of top New Zealanders and a few Australians at the Cooks Classic mile in Whanganui on Tuesday evening, running 3 minutes 55.56 seconds, and demonstrated why he is respected the world over for his middle distance running.

Running well inside the magic four-minute mile barrier, the Michigan-based Hutt Valley athlete became the first to record five sub-four-minute miles at Cooks Gardens, first made famous by Peter Snell when he broke the world record 54 years ago.

MICHAEL DAWSON PHOTOGRAPHY Nick Willis poses for a photo with young fans after his victory in the mile race at Cooks Gardens.

Before the race, Willis was tied on four with another world mile record holder, Sir John Walker (1974-1985) and Hamish Christensen (1997-2001).

READ MORE:

* Nick Willis, Angie Petty light up Potts Classic in Hastings

* Tough road ahead for Willis in Christchurch street mile

* Nick Willis plays Santa at Wellington athletics meeting

Behind Willis' 3:55.56, fellow Kiwis Hamish Carson (3:56.72) and Eric Speakman (3:57.30) ran personal bests to secure the 62nd and 63rd sub-four-minute miles at the renowned track.

Just outside the sought-after time was Australian Craig Huffer (4:00.12) and NZ Commonwealth Games 1500m finalist Julian Matthews (4:00.86).

Te Awamutu athlete Katherine Marshall, now based in Wales, won the women's mile after a tussle with Australians Amelia Mazza-Downie and Heidi Demio. Marshall's winning time was 4:46.71.

Women's sprinters again took the limelight with Lucy Sheat storming home over 200m to beat Zoe Hobbs and Georgia Hulls in 24.31 seconds, into a brisk head wind. The Marlborough athlete repeated the impressive finish she demonstrated over 100m in Hastings three days earlier.

Joseph Millar was equally impressive over 200m, winning the men's race with ease in 21.39 seconds, also into the wind.

The circuit now moves to Wellington for the Capital Classic on Friday.