THEY’RE BACK: 2018 champion Aisha Praught-Leer and runner-up Emma Coburn return to The Armory to run in the NYRR Millrose Games Women’s 3,000m. They’ll also have elite company to challenge them. Photo by Ross Dettman
NEW YORK, January 15, 2019 – Track & Field superstars Aisha Praught-Leer and Emma Coburn, who last year thrilled track & field fans with a memorable photo finish, will reunite in the Women’s 3,000m during the 112th NYRR Millrose Gameson Saturday February 9th at The Armory in Washington Heights, confirmed the Armory Foundation.
Praught-Leer and Coburn, training partners and the top two finishers in this NYRR Millrose Games event last year, return to The Armory’s New Balance Track and Field Center to do battle once again against a highly-competitive field.
“Competing at the Millrose Games is always a priority for me and I love it” Coburn said. “This year will be my fourth time racing at Millrose and I am looking forward to the great competition and special energy from the spectators. Last year’s race was a thrill and I hope to be part of another competitive race in 2019.”
Coburn is best known for her 3,000m steeplechase prowess. She pulled a stunning upset to win the gold medal at the 2017 World Championships, making her the only American to accomplish that feat. Coburn also has won an Olympic bronze medal and seven USATF championships over the barriers, and she is an accomplished flat runner as well.
Jamaica’s Praught-Leer was victorious at Millrose in 2018, as she defeated Coburn and Dominique Scott in a thrilling blanket finish where the three athletes were separated by a mere 0.08 seconds. Praught-Leer, who trains with Coburn in Boulder, Colorado, complemented her stellar career by winning gold in the steeplechase during the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
Other athletes in the field include current and former NCAA standouts Weini Kelati and Elinor Purrier.
The University of New Mexico’s Kelati is a four-time All-American, and she finished second at the NCAA Cross Country Championships in November. Purrier, a 10-time All-American, won the mile at the 2018 NCAA Indoor Championships while representing the University of New Hampshire before beginning her professional career by signing with New Balance.
Also confirmed are Stephanie Garcia, a two-time World Championship qualifier in the steeplechase, and Lauren Paquette, a silver medalist in the 5,000m at the NACAC Championships.
Members of the media interested in covering the 112th NYRR Millrose Games, to take place 11:30 a.m.-6 p.m. on Saturday, February 9th at The Armory in Washington Heights, can sign up for credentials by clicking HERE.
The women’s 3,000m is one of many world class track & field events on center stage during the 112th NYRR Millrose Games, the most historic indoor meet. The men’s shot put will feature Olympic gold and silver medalists Ryan Crouser and Joe Kovacs throwing from the center of the track. Top athletes who have been announced in other events include Edward Cheserek, Nick Willis. Clayton Murphy, Donavan Brazier, Ajeé Wilson, Natoya Goule, Torie Bowie, English Gardner, Deajah Stevens, Nia Ali, Morgan McDonald, Grant Fisher, Hassan Mead and Pat Tiernan. The night’s signature events will be the prestigious NYRR Men’s and Women’s Wanamaker Mile.
For more information on the 112th NYRR Millrose Games and to purchase tickets please go to www.nyrrmillrosegames.org.
Follow The Armory on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @armorynyc, or go to ArmoryTrack.com or Armory.NYC.
About the NYRR Millrose Games
With a storied history that spans more than a century, the NYRR Millrose Games is one of track and field’s most prestigious and enduring annual events. A New York City sports staple, the meet moved to the 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—features track and field’s most prolific male and female stars as well as collegiate, high school, club and youth competitors. More than 200 athletes share the distinction of being both Millrose and Olympic champions. In November of 2013, New York Road Runners became the title sponsor of the NYRR Millrose Games, which is owned by The Armory Foundation. The NYRR Millrose Games is a USATF television series event and The Armory Foundation appreciates the support of USA Track and Field.
About The Armory Foundation
The Armory is a New York City non-profit institution, with the mission of "Keeping Kids on Track." Each season The Armory— the proud home of the NYRR Millrose Games — hosts more than 100 track & field meets and welcomes more than 220,000 athlete visits. Among its many youth sports and educational programs, including the acclaimed Armory College Prep program, The Armory runs the leading collegiate indoor track meet with the Dr. Sander Invitational, and hosts the largest high school indoor track meets with this year's 25th Hispanic Games, The New Balance Games, and the New Balance Nationals Indoors. The Armory also runs NewYork - Presbyterian ColumbiaDoctors Indoor Marathon presented by New York Road Runners, which is the world’s largest indoor marathon relay. The Armory is also the home to the National Track & Field Hall of Fame and dozens of very large education-focused events. For more: Please visit Armory.NYC and ArmoryTrack.com.
