112th NYRR Millrose Games Ready to Take Center Stage at The Armory

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:

1. Men’s Shot Put: Who will win the 2016 Olympic rematch battle between gold medalist Ryan Crouser and silver medalist Joe Kovacs?

1. 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?

1. 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.

1. 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).

1. 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.

1. 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.

1. 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?

1. 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.

1. 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.

1. 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?

1. 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.

1. 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.

English Gardner Returns to Her Roots And to the NYRR Millrose Games

Olympic gold medalist English Gardner has something to prove at 112th NYRR Millrose Games Women’s 60m.  Photo by Image of Sport

NEW YORK, January 31, 2019 – Olympic gold medalist English Gardner has plenty to prove entering the nationally-televised 112th NYRR Millrose Games on Saturday, February 9th at The Armory’s New Balance Track & Field Center in Washington Heights.

Going into 2016, the Philadelphia native already was one of the brightest young stars in American sprinting, winning five NCAA championships while at the University of Oregon, two world championship silver medals as part of the American 4x100m relay and the 2013 national championship in the 100m.

The Olympic year represented another breakthrough for Gardner as she won in the U.S. Olympic Trials with a new 100m personal best of 10.74, making her the seventh-fastest woman in history. She then won gold in Rio on the relay team, sprinting on a USA team that included Tianna Bartoletta, Allyson Felixand Tori Bowie to reach the top of the podium.

“I started off 2016 with the motto that I just couldn’t lose,” said Gardner. “And even if I did lose, I figured out why and learned from everything. It was a year of dominance, and I grew in maturity as well, in terms of how I approached running and prepared for my races. I went into that year knowing that there was no excuse not to be on the Olympic team and no excuse to leave Rio without a medal.”

Unfortunately, Gardner ended that season with a torn meniscus that required surgery, and her injury problems followed her into 2017. Gardner’s knee buckled during a handoff while competing at the Diamond League meeting in Monaco, resulting in a torn ACL for the second time in her career. Recovery took a full year, and Gardner’s 2018 season was abbreviated as a result.

She refused to let these setbacks break her spirit.

“It helped that this wasn’t my first ACL tear,” she said. “This series of injuries made me revamp who I was as a runner and who I was around. I look at it as more of a blessing than a curse. I ended up moving back home to New Jersey to be around my family and friends who really support me, so I could buckle down and get back to my roots.”

Moving from Los Angeles back to New Jersey wasn’t the only thing that changed. Gardner switched coaches, electing to be trained by her father Anthony. She also began coaching the men’s sprinters at Princeton University as a volunteer assistant alongside her own training.

“Not having the glitz and glamour of when I first went pro is something that has fueled me,” Gardner said. “I had top-of-the-line coaches and facilities before, but I’m a little bit more on my own now, and that’s OK. My dad has been coaching me since I was seven years old, and even in college he had a hand in my training. I like to joke around and say that I’m like Rocky, getting back to the Philly area and embracing where I came from.”

Coaching at Princeton has also given Gardner a new community and a different perspective on the sport.

“It’s been amazing,” she said, reflecting on her time at Princeton. “These guys come ready to work every day really focused and ready to go, even though they have to balance track with their strenuous academics. That’s what you dream of as a coach, not having to force your athletes to work and getting to be surrounded by people with the same mindset and goals. It also teaches me to lead by example. If I’m giving them instructions and they see that I’m putting in the work myself, it helps them be able to trust me more. We’re a family, we all work together to get better, and it’s something that I take pride in.”

Looking ahead, Gardner is scheduled to compete in the 60m at the 112th NYRR Millrose Games, where she will race against Bowie, Deajah Stevens, Gabby Thomas and others.

“I’m super excited to come back and run in front of a familiar crowd where I’ve been competing since high school,” said Gardner, commenting about her return to The Armory that will host the NYRR Millrose Games and an NBC Sports nationally-televised audience. “Training has been going absolutely amazing, I feel like I’m starting to come around and feel like myself again. Back in high school I just came off my first ACL surgery and I was running the 60m in a meet at The Armory. I ended up running one of the fastest times in the country, I think it was U.S. No. 1 that year. It showed me that even though I had my issues, I was still able to come back. It’s kind of ironic that my first meet coming back again from an ACL injury is in the same arena. It’s a magical experience in there – always loud and energetic. I know that the competition will be absolutely amazing, so I just want to get out there, compete at my best and snag a `W’ in front of my home crowd.”

Millrose will be the starting point for Gardner’s 2019 season, a year that she hopes will be her best yet. Only 26, Gardner is in her prime and she looks to take advantage.

“I’ve had plenty of awesome moments in my career, but I haven’t had the breakout that I feel I’m capable of,” she said. “I take everything one race at a time, one rep at a time, and I’m getting better every day. My goal is to be the fastest woman alive, and I won’t stop until I get there. I’m even more focused than I was in 2016, and I can’t wait to see how it unfolds.

Many world class track & field events will be 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 respectively throwing from the center of the track. Other top athletes who have been announced in other events include defending Women’s NYRR Wanamaker champion Colleen Quigley, Emma Coburn, Kate Grace, Aisha Praught-Leer,Edward Cheserek,  Yomif Kejelcha, Nick Willis. Clayton Murphy, Donavan Brazier, Craig Engels, Ajeé Wilson, Natoya Goule, Torie Bowie, English Gardner, Deajah Stevens, Nia Ali, Morgan McDonald, Grant Fisher, Hassan Mead, and Pat Tiernan as well as high school running sensations Katelyn Tuohy and Sean Dolan and many more. The night’s signature events will be the prestigious NYRR Men’s and Women’s Wanamaker Mile.

The 112th NYRR Millrose Games will be televised live nationally by NBC Sports from 4:30 p.m.-6 p.m. on February 9th and live streamed on USATF.TVfrom 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m. NBC Gold will have live streamed bonus coverage from 4 p.m.-6 p.m.

NYRR Millrose New Balance High School Boys, Girls Spectacular Fields Announced

Right: North Rockland junior Katelyn Tuohy as she breaks the national high school 3,000m indoor record at the Dr. Sander Invitational at The Armory; Left: Bronxville seniors Matt Rizzo (No. 15) and Alex Rizzo (No. 8) ready to make competition see double in NYRR Millrose Games New Balance Boys’ High School Mile.Photos by John Nepolitan

NEW YORK, January 29, 2019 – Two of the major highlights of the 112thNYRR Millrose Games, scheduled for February 9that The Armory in Washington Heights,are the New Balance High School Mileswhich combine the top talent from the New York City metropolitan area with standout athletes from across the United States.

The 15 girls and 13 boys in this year’s girls’ and boys’ fields are some of the top distance runners in the country. Both races should be truly special. Here is an opportunity to get to know both fields: 

GIRLS

·      Katelyn Tuohy   JR, North Rockland, NY: Tuohy is arguably the greatest female high school cross country runner in history, having won Nike Cross Nationals two years in a row, while resetting course records. She is extremely accomplished on the track as well, holding national records in the indoor 5000m and outdoor mile, with a personal best of 4:33.87 in the latter event. Tuohy is fresh off Saturday’s national high school indoor record performance in the Dr. Sander Invitational Women’s 3,000m, with a time of 9:01.81. Tuohy enters the NYRR Millrose Games as the solid favorite, but she finished a surprising fourth in last year’s Millrose mile, the only high school distance race she’s lost in the last two years. She will look to gain redemption after blowing away the field at the NYRR Millrose Trials with a time of 4:39.15.

·      Marlee Starliper   SR, Northern, PA: Starliper made quite the early season statement at the Coaches Hall of Fame Invitational in December, running a time of 4:47.21 to comfortably qualify for Millrose. Her personal best of 4:43.49 is the second best in the field, and it won her a Pennsylvania indoor state championship, shortly after she placed third at Millrose one year ago. Her other accomplishments include a victory at the prestigious Penn Relays and a runner-up finish at the Foot Locker Northeast XC Regional.

·      Sarah Trainor   JR, Franklin D. Roosevelt, NY: Trainor outlasted a deep field to place second behind Tuohy at the NYRR Millrose Games Trials in a personal best of 4:52.65, which was enough to qualify her for the main event. Trainor is a steeplechase specialist outdoors, placing third in the state and second at New Balance Nationals Outdoor in 2018.

·      Lily Flynn   SR, Ursuline, NY: Flynn qualified for Millrose by placing second behind Starliper at Hall of Fame with an impressive 4:54.21 timestamp. She has used that performance as a springboard to a remarkable indoor season so far, running personal bests in both the 800m and 3,000m, both of which were winning efforts. With a mile personal best of 4:48.26, Flynn’s stellar range makes her an athlete to watch. Flynn’s sister Anna placed fifth at Millrose in 2015.

·      Lauryn Heskin   SO, Marymount, NY: A local athlete hailing from New York City, Heskin qualified for Millrose by winning the 25thHispanic Games with an indoor best of 5:02.68. This victory followed consecutive third-place efforts at Hall of Fame and the Marine Corps Holiday Classic. Only a sophomore, Heskin looks to be a factor on the distance scene for years to come.

·      Isabelle Goldstein   JR, Germantown, PA: After coming up short on three prior occasions, Goldsteing punched her ticket to Millrose with a big personal best of 4:56.33 at the New Balance Games. Goldstein is the 2018 PAISAA champion in the 3,200m, and her sister Abbe won the Millrose mile in 2017.

·      Camryn Wennersten   FR, Ridgewood, NJ: Wennersten placed third at the Millrose Trials behind Tuohy and Trainor, running a personal best of 4:58.44 to claim an at-large qualifying spot. The freshman is the youngest athlete in the field and her teammate Will Baginski will compete in the boys’ race at Millrose.

·      Jessica Schneider   SR, Notre Dame, PA: Schneider placed third at the Hispanic Games, and her personal best of 4:56.40 ten days later at the DELCO championships was enough to earn an invite. Schneider placed third in the mile at the 2018 New Balance Nationals Outdoor and fifth at the state indoor championships.

·      Taryn Parks   JR, Greencastle Atrim, PA: Parks ran her personal best of 4:45.81 in 2017 to win a Pennsylvania outdoor state championship. More recently, she proved her fitness by winning the prestigious Virginia Showcase, earning her a Millrose invite. Parks also finished second at the state cross country championships and sixth in last year’s mile at New Balance Nationals Indoor.

·      Victoria Patterson   JR, Deerfield, MA: Patterson placed third at this month’s Dartmouth Relays, running a personal best of 4:57.68, which was her first time breaking the five-minute barrier. She is also the reigning NEPSTA champion in the 1,500m.

·      Victoria Starcher   JR, WV Flyers, WV: Starcher placed second at last year’s edition of New Balance Nationals Indoor with a personal best of 4:46.32. She went on to sweep the West Virginia state championships outdoors, winning titles in the 800m, 1,600m, and 3200m. With tremendous range and championship experience, Starcher is sure to be a contender.

·      Claire Walters   SR, Fayetteville-Manlius, NY: Despite sporting a relatively modest personal best of 5:02.14, Walters’ 1,500m PB of 4:34.91 set this past December suggests that she is capable of running significantly faster. The senior is most accomplished on the cross country course, placing fifth at each of the past two editions of Nike Cross Nationals to play a starring role in F-M’s incomparable XC dynasty.

·      Phoebe White   JR, Fayetteville-Manlius, NY: White’s 1,500m personal best of 4:36.92 figures to put her right in the mix along with her teammate Walters. White displays excellent range, as she holds a PB of 2:11.39 in the 800m, while also contributing to her program’s cross country success.

·      Kelsey Chmiel   SR, Saratoga Springs, NY: Chmiel has established herself as perhaps the second-best cross country runner in the nation, finishing second behind Tuohy at Nike Cross Nationals in both 2017 and 2018. On the track, Chmiel ran her mile personal best of 4:44.55 at Millrose a year ago to place second and defeat Tuohy in the process. She is also a sub-ten minute 3,200m performer, making her one of the most accomplished athletes in the field.

·      Taylor Ewert   JR, Beavercreek, OH: Ewert holds a personal best of 5:00.22, but her true talents are in the racewalk, where she is the USATF junior champion and already one of the best competitors in the country at any level. Ewert has rewritten the junior racewalk record book over the past couple years and she will compete in the professional mile racewalk at Millrose in addition to running the high school mile.

BOYS

·      Sean Dolan   SR, Hopewell Valley Central, NJ: The senior from Hopewell Valley is the reigning New Balance Nationals Outdoor champion in the mile and he holds an impressive personal best of 4:08.86. Dolan placed ninth in the mile at Millrose a year ago, and he is an accomplished 800-meter runner, with a personal best of 1:50.74. Dolan has committed to run collegiately at Villanova University and his father is the Director of Track & Field/Cross Country at the University of Pennsylvania.

·      Matt Rizzo   SR, Bronxville, NY: Rizzo stamped his entry to Millrose by winning the mile at the 25thHispanic Games in a time of 4:17.32, a personal best. He placed third in the 1,600m at the NYSPHSAA outdoor championships and also has an impressive cross country pedigree, finishing second at the prestigious Manhattan College XC Invitational and winning the Class C state championship.

·      Alex Rizzo   SR, Bronxville, NY:  Rizzo ensured that he will join his twin brother on the Millrose starting line by winning the mile at the New Balance Games in a nearly identical personal best of 4:17.69. He also placed one spot behind his brother at Manhattan and finished third in the 1,000m at last year’s NYSPHSAA indoor championships. Rizzo will attend the U.S. Naval Academy next year. 

·      William Coogan   JR, Phillips Exeter Academy, NH: A junior from New Hampshire, Coogan has sliced nearly six seconds off his personal best this winter, running 4:16.04 in December. Coogan has turned heads since the start of his career placing sixth in the freshman division of the mile at New Balance Nationals Indoor two years ago at The Armory. His father Mark Coogan is a former Olympic athlete, and now coaches the New Balance Boston training group, which includes Abbey D’Agostino.

·      Jake Renfree   JR, Knoxville Catholic, TN:  Renfree is the best distance runner in the state of Tennessee, winning state championships in the indoor two mile, outdoor 1600m, and most recently the cross country title. With a personal best of 4:12.13 set at the Brooks PR Invitational, Renfree looks to once again test himself against a national caliber field.

·      Tim McInerney   SR, Christian Brothers Academy, NJ: McInerney punched his ticket to Millrose the old-fashioned way, defeating a deep field at the NYRR Millrose Games Trials on January 9thwith a time of 4:16.01. McInerney comes from a program with an unmatched pedigree for producing distance runners and he will be a threat with his lethal kick and a 1,600m best of 4:10.37.

·      Will Baginski   SR, Ridgewood, NJ: Baginski finished second at the Millrose Trials behind McInerney with a personal best of 4:16.87, earning him an at-large invite to the main event. The senior placed sixth at the Manhattan XC Invitational this past October. His teammate Camryn Wennerstenwill compete in the Millrose Girls High School Mile.

·      Shea Weilbaker   SR, Saratoga Springs, NY: Weilbaker claimed the first automatic Millrose invite of the season by winning the mile at the Coaches Hall of Fame Invitational in a time of 4:19.27. The senior is one of the most credentialed long-distance athletes in the field, winning the NYSPHSAA cross country championship this past November, to go along with his 3,200m titles both indoors and outdoors.

·      Sean Ryan   SR, Northport, NY: Ryan earned his Millrose bid by finishing second to Matt Rizzo at the Hispanic Games with a personal best of 4:17.93. The senior ran a leg on the runner-up 4x800m relay at the 2018 NYSPHSAA outdoor championship and won the 3200m at this year’s Molloy Stanner Games hosted by The Armory.

·      Tobias Wolfson   JR, Riverdale, NY: An Armory regular, Wolfson participated in every Millrose qualifying event and his persistence paid off at the New Balance Games. Finishing second behind Alex Rizzo, Wolfson ran a personal best of 4:18.04, holding the lead late and doing enough to earn an at-large bid. Wolfson is also the reigning USATF Junior Olympic regional champion in the 800m.

·      Sam Affolder   SR, Loudoun Valley, VA: Hailing from the same program that has produced outstanding athletes such as professional runner Drew Hunter, Affolder holds a personal best of 4:08.69. He is also a sub-nine minute 3,200m performer and he ran a leg on the winning 4 x 1 mile relay that set the national record of 17:01.82 at New Balance Nationals Indoor at The Armory. Affolder’s brother Noah holds the Millrose record of 4:07.24, set in 2017.

·      Sam Toolin   SR North Kingstown, RI: Toolin holds a mile personal best of 4:13.43 dating back to 2016, which he came close to equaling with a 4:14.53 at Boston University last month. Since then, Toolin has picked up victories at the East Coast Invitational and the URI Rhody Classic. He also placed third at the Rhode Island state cross country championships last November.

·      Carter Cheeseman   SR, Fort Worth Christian, TX: Cheeseman is the reigning Texas 5A cross country state champion and he went on to finish tenth at the Foot Locker National Championships. On the track, his mile personal best is 4:12.20 and he ran a superb two-mile time of 8:57.33 at the Brooks PR Invitational, while also winning state championships in both events. Cheeseman’s father competed in the high school mile at Millrose in 1984.

Members of the media interested in covering the 112thNYRR Millrose Games, to take place 11:30 a.m.-6 p.m. on Saturday, February 9that The Armory in Washington Heights, can sign up for credentials by clicking HERE.

The high school girls’ and boys’ mile are two of one of many world class track & field events on center stage during the 112thNYRR Millrose Games, the most historic indoor meet. The men’s shot put will feature Olympic gold and silver medalists Ryan Crouser and Joe Kovacs respectively throwing from the center of the track. Other top athletes who have been announced in other events include defending Women’s NYRR Wanamaker champion Colleen Quigley, Emma Coburn, Kate Grace,Aisha Praught-Leer,Edward Cheserek, Yomif KejelchaNick Willis. Clayton Murphy, Donavan Brazier, Craig Engels, Ajeé Wilson, Natoya Goule, Torie Bowie, English Gardner, Deajah Stevens, Nia Ali, Morgan McDonald, Grant Fisher, Hassan Mead andPat Tiernan. The night’s signature events will be the prestigious NYRR Men’s and Women’s Wanamaker Mile.

The 112thNYRR Millrose Games will be televised live nationally by NBC Sportsfrom 4:30 p.m.-6 p.m. and live streamed on USATF.TVfrom 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m. NBC Goldwill have live streamed bonus coverage from 4 p.m.-6 p.m.

For more information on the 112thNYRR Millrose Games and to purchase tickets please go to www.nyrrmillrosegames.org.

Follow The Armory on Facebook, Twitterand Instagramat @armorynyc, or go to ArmoryTrack.comor Armory.NYC.

There will be a NYRR Millrose Games Press Conferenceon Friday, February 8th, beginning at 10:30 a.m. at the NYRR RUNCENTER, located at 320 West 57thStreet between 8thand 9thavenues in midtown Manhattan. Please RSVP Nick Nicholas if planning to attend at nick@nicholaslence.com.

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.

U.S. Olympian Colleen Quigley to Defend Women's NYRR Wanamaker Mile Title February 9 at 112th NYRR Millrose Games

Two-time world indoor champion Yomif Kejelcha of Ethiopia to join stacked men’s NYRR Wanamaker Mile field

New York, January 24, 2019 — U.S. Olympian Colleen Quigley will return to The Armory’s New Balance Track & Field Center on Saturday, February 9 to defend her NYRR Wanamaker Mile title at the NYRR Millrose Games. The signature event at the NYRR Millrose Games will feature seven Olympians and 13 world championship participants, including the recent addition to the men’s field of Ethiopia’s two-time indoor world champion Yomif Kejelcha.

“We are delighted to welcome Colleen back to the NYRR Millrose Games after her sensational win last year,” said NYRR Millrose Games Meet Director Ray Flynn. “The addition of Yomif to this incredible men's field makes me think we could possibly see the very first sub-3.50 Wanamaker Mile or even a run at the world record.”

The prestigious indoor mile race has taken place every year on the men’s side since 1926 and on the women’s side since 1976. This year’s NYRR Wanamaker Mile races will be broadcast live on NBC.

Quigley, 26, won her first NYRR Wanamaker Mile in 2018, besting fellow U.S. Olympian Kate Grace by just three hundredths of a second in 4:30.05, and then returned to New York later in the year to finish second at the New Balance 5th Avenue Mile. She competed at the Rio 2016 Olympics, finishing eighth in the 3000-meter steeplechase, and the following summer she placed third in the event at the USATF Championships.

“What better way to start a new year and a new season than taking a trip to NYC to race at one of the most prestigious and longest-running indoor track meets in the country,” Quigley said. “I can't think of anything better, so I'm going to the NYRR Millrose Games again this year to defend my NYRR Wanamaker Mile title. I'm more excited than ever to put my fitness to the test in the Big Apple.”

Joining Quigley in the women’s NYRR Wanamaker Mile field will be last year’s runner-up, U.S. Olympian Kate Grace, along with 2017 NCAA indoor mile champion Karisa Nelson, 2018 USA Road Mile champion Emily Lipari, and new indoor NCAA 1000-meter record-holder Danae Rivers.

Kejelcha, the two-time defending 3000-meter indoor world champion who opened his 2019 season with a 3:52.61 mile at the University of Washington earlier this month, will join a men’s field that already includes Olympic medalists Clayton Murphy and Nick Willis, and last year’s world’s fastest miler Edward Cheserek. Last year’s runner-up, Josh Kerr, will also line up, as well as U.S. Olympian Robby Andrews, who will be marking the 10th anniversary of his win in the high school mile at the Millrose Games. 

NYRR Wanamaker Mile Field – Men

Name

Personal Best Mile

Twitter Handle

Robby Andrews, USA

3:53.16

@RA_Andrews

Edward Cheserek, KEN

3:49.44

@KingCheserek

Craig Engels, USA

3:53.93

@craigathor

Johnny Gregorek, USA

3:53.15

@JohnnyGregorek

Ollie Hoare, AUS

3:59.70

@ollie_hoare97

Yomif Kejelcha, ETH

3:52.61

Josh Kerr, GBR

3:54.72

@joshk97

Riley Masters, USA

3:56.15

@riley_masters

Clayton Murphy, USA

3:51.99

@clayton_murph

Sam Prakel, USA

3:54.64

@sprakel10

Nick Willis, NZL

3:49.83

@nickwillis

NYRR Wanamaker Mile Field – Women

Name

Personal Best Mile

Twitter Handle

Kaela Edwards, USA

4:28.75

@kaelaAedwards

Kate Grace, USA

4:20.70

@fastk8

Konstanze Klosterhalfen, GER

4:24.27

Emily Lipari, USA

4:28.62

Katie Mackey, USA

4:25.48

@katiefmackey

Cory McGee, USA

4:27.67

@coreymcgeeruns

Karisa Nelson, USA

4:31.24

@KaririNelson

Shannon Osika, USA

4:25.47

@OsikaShannon

Colleen Quigley, USA

4:24.88

@steeple_squigs

Danae Rivers, USA

4:32.55

Gabriela DeBues-Stafford, CAN

4:27.44

@gstafford13

Helen Schlachtenhaufen, USA

4:27.09

The NYRR Millrose Games highlights the year-round partnership between The Armory Foundation, which oversees the premier indoor track and field center in America, and New York Road Runners, the world’s largest community running organization.

For more information on the NYRR Millrose Games and to purchase tickets, please visitwww.nyrrmillrosegames.org. Members of the media interested in covering the 112th NYRR Millrose Games from 11:30 a.m.-6 p.m. on Saturday, February 9 at The Armory in Washington Heights, can sign up for credentials by clicking HERE.

About New York Road Runners (NYRR)

NYRR’s mission is to help and inspire people through running. Since 1958, New York Road Runners has grown from a local running club to the world’s premier community running organization. NYRR’s commitment to New York City’s five boroughs features races, community events, free youth running initiatives and school programs, the NYRR RUNCENTER featuring the New Balance Run Hub, and training resources that provide hundreds of thousands of people each year, from children to seniors, with the motivation, know-how, and opportunity to Run for Life. NYRR’s premier event, and the largest marathon in the world, is the TCS New York City Marathon. Held annually on the first Sunday in November, the race features 50,000 runners, from the world’s top professional athletes to a vast range of competitive, recreational, and charity runners.  To learn more, visit www.nyrr.org.

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.

Emma Coburn, Aisha Praught-Leer Return for Super Race II in NYRR Millrose Games Women's 3,000m

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.