Will it be a repeat showdown in Saturday’s Women’s NYRR Wanamaker Mile between last year’s winner Colleen Quigley and Kate Grace, or will German Olympian Konstanze Klosterhalfen make her move into the winner’s circle? Photo by John Nepolitan.
NEW YORK, February 5, 2019 – The center stage at the 112th NYRR Millrose Games at The Armory in Washington Heights will have a new and unforgettable presence.
The backdrop of an expected sold-out Armory New Balance Track & Field Center along with a NBC nationally-televised audience will embrace both the 2016 Rio Olympic gold and silver medalists in the shot put as they throw from inside the 200-meter oval track during Saturday’s 112th NYRR Millrose Games.
Showcasing the world’s top shot putters in the middle of the arena will elevate The Armory’s eighth edition of the NYRR Millrose Games to an all-time high.
“We are extremely fortunate to have both the gold and silver medal winners from the 2016 Rio Olympics, Ryan Crouser and Joe Kovacs,” said NYRR Millrose Games Meet Director Ray Flynn. “They will complement our outstanding fields and event head-to-head matchups to give track & field fans a truly memorable NYRR Millrose Games.”
For NYRR Millrose Games complete fields please click HERE.
Flynn, a two-time Olympian, owner of the Irish mile record (3:49.77) and 89 sub-4 minute miles, is in his eighth year as meet director of the world’s most recognized indoor track & field extravaganza.
Flynn has selected 12 of this year’s NYRR Millrose Games most anticipated storylines:
Men’s Shot Put: Who will win the 2016 Olympic rematch battle between gold medalist Ryan Crouser and silver medalist Joe Kovacs?
Katelyn Tuohy from North Rockland High just set the new High School national record in the 3,000m at The Armory during the Dr Sander Invitational less than two weeks ago. Can anyone challenge her in the High School Girls’ Mile?
Will we see the first sub-3:50 mile ever at the NYRR Millrose Games or even a World indoor record in the Men’s Wanamaker Mile? The field is led by Edward Cheserek (the 2018 Fastest Indoor miler in the world) and Clayton Murphy, coming off a world's best 800m on a flat track this past weekend. But watch Yomif Kejelcha (No.1 in the world in 2018 in the 5k) and 2019 world leader in the mile who says he wants the world record.
Who will win the battle of the 5 NCAA Champions in the Men’s 3,000m? The race features the last three NCAA Cross Country Champions Morgan McDonald (2018), Justyn Knight (2017) and Pat Tiernan (2016) and two NCAA Track & Field Champions, Ben Flanagan (2018 10k) and Grant Fisher (2017 5k).
Can Outdoor 800m American record holder, Olympian and 8-time U.S. Champion Ajeé Wilson hold off rival Natoya Goule and add the Indoor 800m American record holder to her impressive resume? Keep your eyes on the Jack & Lewis Rudin Women’s 800m.
Can anyone defeat the 21-year-old phenom Vashti Cunningham in the women’s High Jump? Cunningham is the 2018 world indoor silver medalist and a 2016 Olympian. Three other Olympians feature in the event.
Can 21-year-old German Olympian and rising star Konstanze Klosterhalfen win the NYRR Women’s Wanamaker Mile against defending Millrose Games champion Colleen Quigley and Bowerman Track Club teammate and 2018 runner-up Kate Grace or will the women of Bowerman complete another 1-2 sweep?
Women’s 60m: The comeback of Rio Olympic gold medalist English Gardner continues against fellow U.S. Olympian Deajah Stevens, formerly from Mt. Vernon, New Rochelle and Benjamin Cardozo high schools. The big challenge will be from Trinidad’s Commonwealth Games gold medalist Michelle-Lee Ahye who won recently in Boston. Keep an eye on the 2018 Millrose Games HS Champion (60m) Thelma Davies.
The Men’s 800m showcases the 2018 U.S. Indoor Champion Donavan Brazier who ran 1:45.10, 2nd best in U.S. history. He faces off against 2018 World Indoor bronze medalist Drew Windle and NCAA 800m record holder and 600m World record holder Michael Saruni.
Watch American record holder Sharika Nelvis battle Christina Manning, who is the world indoor silver medalist, alongside defending Millrose champion Tobi Amusan in a deeply competitive field in the Women’s 60m Hurdles. Who will be crowned champion?
In the Women’s USATF Championship 1-mile Race Walk there will be a great match up with defending Millrose Games champion Maria Michta-Coffey and Canadian Olympian Rachel Seaman. They'll need to watch out for the new kid on the block Taylor Ewert, the 2018 USATF Youth Athlete of the Year.
There is a huge high school record alert for both Boys’ and Girls’ 600m races with phenomenal talents of Luis Peralta and Athing Mu, respectively.
