Marcus Dickson has been flying around local tracks for years, establishing himself as one of the best distance runners in the state.

This week, he flies to New York to test himself against the nation’s elite.

Dickson, a graduating senior, will be winging his way to the Jim Ryun Dream Mile, part of the Adidas Grand Prix. He will run Saturday at Icahn Stadium in New York City.

There, he will join a select group at the by-invitation-only event. Other runners in the field hail from West Virginia, New Jersey, North Carolina, California, Ohio, Massachusetts, Arizona, Texas, Utah and Indiana. On an interesting note, two of the nation’s best are friends who live less than an hour apart. Dickson is happy to be running with Izaic Yorks of Lakes High School.

“We’ve become pretty good friends,” Dickson said. “He’s a good guy and an amazing runner.”

Dickson has accepted an athletic scholarship to attend Brigham Young University while Yorks is bound for the University of Portland.

Dream Mile organizers make a concerted effort to help young runners crack the 4-minute barrier in the mile. A professional runner paces the field for the first 1,000 meters, running at a clip that would allow for a 4-minute finish.

Dickson admits breaking the elusive 4-minute barrier will be difficult, but figures he has a shot.

“It’s reasonable,” he said. “I’m going to go for it. I’ve surprised myself before.”

Dickson’s best time in the mile is 4:07, which he ran in the early spring.

As one of the country’s top prep runners, Dickson was recruited to participate in the Dream Mile. Sponsors are paying the way for Dickson and one parent.