World Championships Medalist Matthew Centrowitz and Teenage Track Sensation Mary Cain to headline NYRR Wanamaker Mile Fields
Three-time Olympian Nick Willis and USA Champion Morgan Uceny also among top competitors
New York, January 29, 2014—Moscow World Championships silver medalist Matthew Centrowitz and teenage track sensation Mary Cain will headline the NYRR Wanamaker Mile fields at the NYRR Millrose Games on Saturday, February 15, and three-time Olympian Nick Willis and three-time USA champion Morgan Uceny will be among their top competitors in what has traditionally been the most anticipated event of the Millrose Games, it was announced today by New York Road Runners and the Armory Foundation.
Cain, who recently set an American junior indoor record for 1000m, was originally announced for the Road to Rio 800-meter event at the Millrose Games, but has decided to change events to better fit her overall indoor program.
The men’s field also includes 2013 NCAA indoor mile and 3000-meter champion, Lawi Lalang; 2012 NCAA indoor Mile champion, Chris O’Hare; and Alan Webb, the American open and high school record-holder in the mile, who will be running the Wanamaker Mile as his indoor track retirement race. The Wanamaker Mile men’s record is 3:51.21, set by Lopez Lomong of the USA last year.
The women’s field also includes two-time USA steeplechase champion, Emma Coburn; the fourth-fastest American at 1500 meters in 2013, Gabe Grunewald; the 1500-meter bronze medalist at the 2013 USA Outdoor Championships, Cory McGee; Villanova University star, Emily Lipari; and Alexa Efraimson, the youngest Wanamaker Mile entrant at age 16 and the winner of the girls’ race at the 2013 Nike Cross Nationals. The Millrose Games women’s record for the mile is 4:21.45, run by Rumania’s Doina Melinte in 1988.
The NYRR Millrose Games will be presented live on NBCSN from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. ET. Fans will have the chance to watch the famed Wanamaker Miles, a world-class women’s 800-meter race, and much more.
This is NYRR’s first year as the title sponsor of the NYRR Millrose Games.
Additional Athlete Backgrounds and Notable Performances:
- Centrowitz, 23, of Portland, OR, is the 2013 IAAF World Championships silver medalist in the 1500 meters (bronze in 2011). He is a two-time USA outdoor champion at 1500 meters (2013 and 2011), the 2012 Wanamaker Mile and Fifth Avenue Mile champion, a 2012 Olympian, and the 2011 NCAA outdoor champion at 1500 meters.
- Willis, 29, of Ann Arbor, MI, is a three-time New Zealand Olympian and the 2008 Olympic silver medalist at 1500 meters. He is the 2010 Commonwealth Games 1500-meter bronze medalist, a two-time winner of the Fifth Avenue Mile (2013 and 2008), and the 2005 NCAA indoor mile champion.
- Uceny, 27, of Boston, MA, is a two-time USA outdoor champion at 1500 meters (2012 and 2011), the 2010 USA indoor 1500-meter champion, and the 2011 IAAF Diamond League 1500-meter champion. This will be her Wanamaker Mile debut.
- Cain, 16, of Bronxville, NY, is the 2013 USA indoor mile champion, USA Junior record holder for 1500 meters outdoors, and indoor junior record holder for 1000 meters, 1500 meters, one mile, 3000 meters, and two miles. She finished 10th in the 1500 meters at the 2013 IAAF World Championships.
Top Professional Men
Name, Personal Best Mile/1500 meters, Twitter Handle
Matthew Centrowitz, 3:51.34i/3:31.96, @MattCentrowitz
Nick Willis, 3:50.66/3:30.35, @nickwillis
Lawi Lalang, 3:54.56i/3:33.20i, @LawiLalang1
Chris O'Hare, 3:52.98i/3:35.37, @chrisohare1500
Alan Webb, 3:46.91/3:30.54
Will Leer, 3:55.66/3:35.27, @william_leer
Top Professional Women
Name, Personal Best Mile/1500 meters, Twitter Handle
Mary Cain, 4:24.11i/4:04.62, @runmarycain
Morgan Uceny, 4:30.57/4:00.06, @Muceny
Emma Coburn, 4:29.86i/4:06.87, @emmajcoburn
Gabe Grunewald, 4:27.94/4:01.48, @gg_runs
Cory McGee, 4:32.10i/4:06.67, @CoryMcGeeRuns
Emily Lipari, 4:37.43i/4:12.17
Alexa Efraimson, 4:51.30i/4:16.00
Quotes:
Matthew Centrowitz (@MattCentrowitz)
“I'm excited to return to the Millrose Games on February 15. It will be my third time to run the Wanamaker Mile. I won in 2012 and took second last year. I hope to be back on top in 2014.”
Nick Willis (@nickwillis)
“I am pumped to return to the Big Apple, to try to win my first Wanamaker Mile. I was third in my first attempt, second the next time, so hopefully, it will be third time’s a charm. New York has been a special location for my running successes of late, so I hope that my good results in the city will continue!”
Mary Cain (@runmarycain)
“I was originally going to run the 800m but have decided to once again run the iconic mile race. Last year I came in second, and would love to see if I can finish one place higher! I believe this race will better prepare me for the following week's USA Indoor Championships. Being a New Yorker, I always have loved competing in the Millrose Games, and am excited to be a part of this fun meet once again!”
Alberto Salazar (Cain’s coach)
“We felt Mary needs the experience of running in a competitive mile with a big pack before the USA Indoor Championships. The Wannamaker Mile will be the pre-eminent indoor mile race in the world this year so it will be great for Mary to continue to experience running in a large field against very good runners.”
Morgan Uceny (@MUceny)
“I’m looking forward to joining the ranks of such a historic event. The atmosphere at the Millrose Games two years ago was tremendously energetic which made racing a lot of fun. There has definitely been a reemergence of women’s middle-distance runners in the U.S., so it’s sure to be a terrific race.”
Emma Coburn (@emmajcoburn)
“I’m so excited to be competing at the NYRR Millrose Games and to be invited to race in the historic Wanamaker Mile for the second time. Last year was such a memorable experience with fast times, a loud and energetic crowd, and great competition. New York Road Runners know how to put on a spectacular meet and I’m very much looking forward to being a part of it again!”
Tickets and Credential Information
Fans are urged to visit NYRRMillroseGames.org to purchase tickets. The 2014 NYRR Millrose Games will begin at noon and conclude at 6:30 p.m., featuring the prime-time window from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. Further questions can be answered by calling the Armory at 212-923-1803, ext. 7200. Members of the press who wish to cover the NYRR Millrose Games can register here.
About the NYRR Millrose Games
Since its inception in 1908 at a local armory, the NYRR Millrose Games is one of track and field’s most prestigious annual events. A New York City sports staple, the meet moved to New Balance Track & Field Center at the Armory in Washington Heights in 2012 after having called Madison Square Garden home from 1914 to 2011. The Games—established by employees of Wanamaker’s Department Store — annually feature track and field’s most prolific male and female stars as well as collegiate and high school competitors. More than 200 athletes share the distinction of being both Millrose and Olympic Champions. In November, the New York Road Runners became the title sponsor of the NYRR Millrose Games, which is hosted by the Armory Foundation.
