World Record Holder and Double Olympic Champion Ryan Crouser, World Champion Joe Kovacs to Face Off Again at 115th Millrose Games

Ryan Crouser; Photo by Ross Dettman (2022 Millrose Games at The Armory)

Joe Kovacs; Photo by Ross Dettman (2020 Millrose Games at The Armory)

NEW YORK, December 1, 2022 – The 115th Millrose Games, the most iconic indoor track & field event in the world, will once again welcome the two best shot putters in the world, Ryan Crouser and Joe Kovacs. The two titans of the throwing ring will be facing off at Millrose for the fourth consecutive time.

This historic rivalry will surely be one of the most anticipated events of the entire meet, scheduled for Saturday, February 11th at the historic New Balance Track & Field Center at The Armory.

“Ryan and Joe have elevated their event into one of the most exciting in all of track and field, and we are proud to host both of these great athletes at The Armory again for the Millrose Games,” remarked Ray Flynn, the Millrose Games Meeting Director. 

At this point in his career, Crouser’s claim to Greatest of All-Time status is virtually undisputed. After winning his first Olympic gold medal in 2016, Crouser set both the indoor and outdoor world records in 2021, and he defended his title in Tokyo with the most dominant performance in the history of the shot put, launching all six attempts beyond the previous Olympic record. In 2022, he addressed the only hole on his resume, winning his first outdoor world championship in Eugene. Crouser has won at Millrose three years in a row, and every time he steps in the ring, the world record is under threat.

“I’m excited to make a return to the Millrose Games again this year,” said Crouser. “The meet is always the best meet of the indoor circuit, and always a highlight for me. The shot put has hit new levels the past few years and I see no slowing down for the event. I’m pushing every day to break new ground and I hope to show that at Millrose on February 11th.”

Crouser’s greatest challenger will come in the form of Kovacs, his friend and global rival. Kovacs is a two-time world outdoor champion, memorably edging out Crouser by just one centimeter at the Doha 2019 event. He also took Olympic silver behind Crouser in both 2016 and 2021. In 2022, Kovacs set the world-leading mark ahead of Crouser, moving up to second on the all-time performance list and winning the prestigious Diamond league final in zurich.  

“The Millrose Games is the most historic indoor track meet on US soil,” said Kovacs. I am honored to be a part of its 115th year history and excited for the opportunity to make history at this year’s shot put show.”

As always, the Millrose Games will feature the absolute best athletes in the sport, including dozens of Olympians and world champions. Already announced are two other athletes who are also the two best in the world in their event, pole vaulters Katie Nageotte and Sandi Morris. Now added to the event is the 2016 Olympic Games champion Katerina Stefanidi from Greece.

The Millrose Games is a World Athletics Indoor Tour Gold meet. With highest-level competition at the youth, high school, collegiate, club, and professional levels, there is truly something for everyone at the Millrose Games.

Stay tuned over the coming months as more athletes and events are announced. Tickets can be purchased at https://www.millrosegames.org/ 

The Armory hosts more than 100 track & field meets throughout the indoor season and for more information on all Armory Track events, visit https://www.armorytrack.com and https://www.armory.nyc

Follow The Armory on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @armorynyc.

Media planning to cover the Millrose Games can register for credentials by clicking on Credentials - 115th Millrose Games and filling out the request form.

About  The  Armory Foundation 

The Armory Foundation 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 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 meets with the Dr. Sander Invitational Columbia Challenge and the HBCU Showcase sponsored by KPMG, and hosts the largest high school indoor track meets with the Hispanic Games, The Officials Hall of Fame Invitational, the Coaches Hall of Fame Invitational and Holiday Classic.  New York Road Runners is a proud sponsor of all athletic events at The Armory. The Armory runs the CUIMC Team Relay 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.

Olympic, World Champion Katie Nageotte, World Indoor Champion Sandi Morris Ready To Fly at The 115th Millrose Games

Last season at the Millrose Games, Sandi Morris (left) soared to claim the title of the Women’s Pole Vault while Nageotte finished in third place. The meet returns Feb. 11 to the New Balance Track & Field Center at The Armory. Morris photo by John Nepolitan; Nageotte photo by Ross Dettman.

NEW YORK, November 15, 2022 – The 115th Millrose Games, the most iconic indoor track & field event in the world, welcomes a showdown in the women’s pole vault between Katie Nageotte and Sandi Morris. 

The women’s pole vault is set to be one of the most anticipated events of the entire meet, scheduled for Saturday, February 11th at the historic New Balance Track & Field Center at The Armory.

Not only are these women training partners and friends, but they are also the two very best pole vaulters in the world.

“We are delighted to announce the first of the many big name athletes confirmed for the upcoming Millrose Games,” said Ray Flynn, the Millrose Meet Director.

Nageotte’s rise to superstardom over the past several years has been nothing short of remarkable. She is the reigning Olympic and World champion, after successfully defending her triumph in Tokyo with another gold medal in Eugene. A two-time NCAA champion at Division II Ashland University, Nageotte has won three USATF national titles and finished second during three other occasions, bested only by the woman she will face at Millrose.

“The Armory is one of the best facilities in the country with some of the highest jumps on American soil,” said Nageotte. “I'm excited to come back and jump there!”

Morris, the outdoor American record-holder, has been arguably the most consistent vaulter in the world over the past decade. She is the back-to-back World Indoor Champion, winning gold medals in 2018 and 2022. She earned silver at the 2016 Olympics, and has three additional outdoor World Championship silver medals, most recently placing second behind Nageotte in Eugene. Morris is a six-time USATF champion, and the two-time defending Millrose champion, setting The Armory’s facility record in 2020.

Morris is the third-highest vaulter in history both indoors and outdoors, while Nageotte is fourth on the outdoor list and fifth on the indoor list. In 2020, Morris made the decision to switch coaches, joining Nageotte under former American record-holder Brad Walker. The two athletes are based in Atlanta, training together as they push each other to new heights.

As always, the Millrose Games will feature the absolute best athletes in the sport, including dozens of Olympians and world champions. The Millrose Games is a World Athletics Indoor Tour Gold meet. With highest-level competition at the youth, high school, collegiate, club, and professional levels, there is truly something for everyone at the Millrose Games.

Stay tuned over the coming months as more athletes and events are announced. Tickets can be purchased at https://www.millrosegames.org/ 

The Armory hosts more than 100 track & field meets throughout the indoor season and for more information on all Armory Track events, visit https://www.armorytrack.com and https://www.armory.nyc

Follow The Armory on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @armorynyc.

Media planning to cover the Millrose Games can register for credentials by clicking on Credentials - 115th Millrose Games and filling out the request form.

About The Armory Foundation 

The Armory Foundation 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 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 meets with the Dr. Sander Invitational Columbia Challenge and the HBCU Showcase sponsored by KPMG, and hosts the largest high school indoor track meets with the Hispanic Games, The Officials Hall of Fame Invitational, the Coaches Hall of Fame Invitational and Holiday Classic.  New York Road Runners is a proud sponsor of all athletic events at The Armory. The Armory runs the CUIMC Team Relay 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.

Elle Purrier St. Pierre and Olli Hoare Capture WHOOP Wanamaker Mile Titles During 114th Millrose Games at The Armory

Elle Purrier St. Pierre crosses the finish line to win the WHOOP Wanamaker Women’s Mile; Olli Hoare hoists the WHOOP Wanamaker Men’s Mile trophy; Ajee’ Wilson keeps the pace en route to another Jack & Lewis Rudin Women’s 800m title; Christian Coleman made his return to track & field a successful one as he won the Men’s 60m in the 114th Millrose Games Saturday at The Armory’s New Balance Track & Field Center. Photos by John Nepolitan.

NEW YORK, NY, Jan. 29, 2022 – Both the WHOOP Wanamaker Mile men’s and women’s races lived up to their signature expectations Saturday afternoon during the 114th Millrose Games at The Armory’s New Balance Track & Field Center.

Defending champion and American indoor record holder Elle Purrier St. Pierre won her second Wanamaker Mile title with a 4:19:30 time, just ahead of Josette Norris (4:20.81) of nearby Tenafly, NJ. and 2019 champion Konstanze Klosterhalfen (4:22.59).

Australian Olympian Olli Hoare, the 2020 Wanamaker Mile runner-up, gave himself a 25th birthday present with a winning time of 3:50.23, ahead of Josh Kerr 3:52.27 and Colby Alexander 3:52.84.

“This is my first race back since Tokyo,” Purrier St. Pierre said about this past summer’s experience in the Olympics. “I did not come in with much expectation. I just ran for it. I saw Josette, but I did not know what was happening behind me. She (Norris) is a sweet girl and it’s good to see what she’s done.

“This was a different year and a different race (then the 2020 Wanamaker Mile). I’m coming off a big season and I did not have a lot of expectations.”

Said Hoare, embracing the large silver Wanamaker Mile trophy afterward: “I came into the new year truly confident. Josh and I have been going back and forth since college. I wanted to get in the pace and be very relaxed. When Josh passed me I was a bit surprised. For me, it was a great race and I ran a great last 400m.

“This was a great birthday present and I’m very happy to be here at this extravagant event.”

There were nine sub-4-minute miles run in the WHOOP Wanamaker Men’s Mile, including five-time Olympian Nick Willis. The 38-year-old finished with a 3:59.71 and for a record 20th straight year recorded a race under 4 minutes.

“Twenty years,” said Willis, “this puts a cap on it. It’s a special moment and it’s a very humbling opportunity.”

Christian Coleman, the world’s 60m record holder and returning to track & field competition for the first time in two years, captured the Men’s 60m with a blazing time of 6.49. Close on his heels was the fastest man in 2021 Trayvon Bromell with a 6.50. 

“I wanted to come out here and win,” Coleman said, “and I accomplished that. I’ve started off the season well and I’ll go forward and look at the next race. It feels great to get started.”

Armory and Millrose Games favorite Ajee’ Wilson kept her winning ways in New York City with a triumph in the Jack & Lewis Rudin Women’s 800m. Wilson has not lost at the Millrose Games since 2013 and she entered Saturday as the five-time Women’s 800m champion. She prevailed with a 2:01.38 over runner up and Jamacia Olympian Natoya Goule-Toppin (2:02.14).

“I just wanted to maintain, stay strong and be ready for one more surge,” Wilson said.

The large and loud crowd inside The Amory had a lot to cheer about in both the Women’s and Men’s 3,000m races.

Alicia Monson and Weini Kelati, who were fresh off their January 9th duel at the USATF Cross Country Championships, where they finished first and second, respectively, had a repeat performance in the Millrose Games Women’s 3000m. Monson, the 2019 Millrose Games champion outdueled Kelati with a winning time of 8:31.62. Kelati finished second with a 8:33.72. Both bettered the previous Millrose Games Women’s 3000m record.

“Weini and I play off each other so well,” Monson said. “It’s been going back and forth for years.”

Georgie Beamish set a New Zealand record in the Dr. Sander Men’s Invitational 3000m with a 7:39.50. Beamish took the inside route at the end to edge past Cooper Teare (7:39.61) and Cole Hocker (7:39.83) in arguably the night’s closest encounter.

Ryan Crouser, the world-record holder and 2020 Tokyo gold medalist, won the Thorne Men’s Shot Put with a personal-best 22.50 meter. It was announced he threw 23.38, which would have given him a new world record. Millrose Games Meet Director said that because of an “equipment malfunction that caused a false reading” Crouser did not get the world mark.

A tape measure recorded his official mark that allowed him to win his third consecutive Millrose Games title.

“I’ve thrown over 23 a few times and I know what that feels like,” Crouser said. “I’m happy with a 22.50.”

Rio Olympic silver medalist Sandi Morris soared to a winning height of 15 feet-7 inches to capture her second straight Millrose Games title.

High school sensation Shawnti Jackson broke the high school record in the 60m when she finished with a 7.18 mark to break the previous record set by Tamari Davis with a 7.19. Jackson, who also ran later in the night during the High School Girls’ Invitational 4x200 Relay for Wakefield (N.C.), finished third against her professional competitors. Aleia Hobbs won the women’s 60m with a 7.11 followed by Mikia Brisco (7.15)

For complete Millrose Games results, go to: https://results.millrosegames.org

For more information on all Armory Track events go to www.armorytrack.com and www.armory.nyc.

Follow the Millrose Games on www.millrosegames.org and The Armory on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @armorynyc.

About The Armory Foundation

The Armory Foundation 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 Millrose Games – hosts more than 100 track & field meets and welcomes more than 220,000 visits. Among its many youth sports and educational programs, including the acclaimed Armory College Prep program, The Armory runs the leading collegiate indoor track meets with the Dr. Sander Invitational Columbia Challenge and the HBCU Showcase, and hosts the largest high school indoor track meets with the U. S. Air Force Hispanic Games, The New Balance Games, New Balance Nationals Indoor, the Energice Coaches Hall of Fame Invitational and Marine Corps Holiday Classic. New York Road Runners is a proud sponsor of all athletic events at The Armory. The Armory runs the Columbia & NewYork – Presbyterian Indoor Marathon Team Relay 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.

Guaranteed Rate Becomes Official Sponsor of the 114th Millrose Games

Historic Armory Foundation competition to take place Jan. 29

NEW YORK CITY (Jan. 27, 2022) – The Armory Foundation announces today that Guaranteed Rate, a leader in mortgage lending and digital financial services, has become an official sponsor of the 114th Millrose Games, the world's longest-running and most prestigious indoor track and field competition. 

“The Millrose Games is proud to partner with Guaranteed Rate, one of the nation's largest financial service providers and supporter of numerous major sporting events,” said Armory Foundation Co-President Jonathan Schindel. “Track and field athletes at Millrose are considered to be among the world's greatest athletes and are extremely deserving of the support of Guaranteed Rate and the other sponsors of the Millrose Games.”

The Millrose Games joins a host of Guaranteed Rate’s successful sports partnerships including U.S. Figure Skating, U.S. Ski & Snowboard, NHL, the National Lacrosse League (NLL) and the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA). 

“Guaranteed Rate is proud to sponsor the Millrose Games, an iconic sporting event that features some of the absolute best track and field athletes,” said Guaranteed Rate Vice President of Sports Marketing and Partnerships Steve McNelley. “This partnership reflects our company’s core value of working with the ‘best of the best.’”

World Champion and Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Ryan Crouser will return for a third time to the Millrose Games at The Armory. Photos by Ross Dettman.

The 2022 Millrose Games will take place Saturday, Jan. 29 at The Armory’s New Balance Track & Field Center in New York City. The meet includes the top track & field athletes from the youth, high school, collegiate, club, and professional levels. This year’s Millrose Games will broadcast live nationally on NBC, and for the first time televised internationally as part of the prestigious World Athletics Indoor Tour.

“I am excited to return to the Millrose Games to showcase one of Team USA’s strongest events,” said Ryan Crouser, who captured the gold medal in the shot put during last summer’s Tokyo Olympics and is making his third Millrose Games appearance. “It’s an honor to compete in one of the premier indoor meetings at such a historic venue.”

 Athletes confirmed for the 114th Millrose Games include:

·      Defending champion Elle Purrier St. Pierre, Olympic gold medalist and American outdoor record holder Athing Mu and 2019 champion Konstanze Klosterhalfen will highlight the WHOOP Wanamaker Women’s Mile. This signature race includes all three athletes who represented the United States in the Tokyo Olympic 1500m.

·      Olympic bronze medalist Josh Kerr and Olympic finalist Ollie Hoare lead the charge in the WHOOP Wanamaker Men’s Mile.

·      World-record holder and two-time Olympic gold medalist Ryan Crouser is entered in the Thorne Men’s Shot Put.

·      World record holder in the 60m Christian Coleman, the fastest man in the world in 2021 Trayvon Bromell and Jamaica’s 2016 Olympic gold medal winner in the 110m hurdles Omar McLeod, will compete for the Millrose Games Men’s 60m title.

·      American indoor record holder and Olympian Ajee' Wilson and Jamaica middle-distance sensation and Olympian Natoya Goule-Toppin will be competing in the highly anticipated Jack and Lewis Rudin Women’s 800m.

·      Cole Hocker, Conner Mantz, Cooper Teare, and Luis Grijalva headline a Who’s Who of NCAA champions and Olympian distance runners in the Men’s 3000m.

·      World champion and American record-holder Donavan Brazier makes his return to the track in the Men’s 400.

·      Olympian, former world record holder in the indoor 600m and 2019 Millrose Games 800m champion Michael Saruni will headline the Mike Frankfurt Invitational Men’s 800m.

·      World record holder Keni Harrison leads a Women’s 60m Hurdles field that features six Olympians.

·      Alicia Monson, Olympian and 2019 Millrose Games champion, is fresh off a January 9th USATF Cross Country title and will be challenged by recent USATF Cross Country runner-up Weini Kelati in the Millrose Games Women’s 3000.

·      Olympic bronze medalist Gabby Thomas is the headliner in the Women’s 60m.

·      Olympic gold medalist Katie Nageotte will face off against defending champion Sandi Morris in the Women’s Pole Vault.

·      Olympian and two-time NCAA champion Tara Davis leads the Women’s Long Jump.

 Millrose Games alumni earned 29 medals at the Tokyo Olympics, including 13 gold medals.

 Tickets for the 114th Millrose Games can be purchased by visiting https://www.millrosegames.org/get-tickets.  

Follow the Millrose Games on www.millrosegames.org and The Armory on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @armorynyc.

  About Guaranteed Rate Companies

Guaranteed Rate is a leader in mortgage lending and digital financial services. Headquartered in Chicago, the Guaranteed Rate Companies have more than 11,000 employees in over 850 branches across the U.S., serving all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Since its launch in 2000, Guaranteed Rate Companies have helped more than 1 million homeowners with home purchase loans and refinances, with a total loan volume of more than $116 billion in 2021 alone. The company has cemented itself as an industry leader by introducing innovative technology, offering low rates and delivering unparalleled customer service. Honors and awards include: Top Lender for Online Service for 2018 by U.S. News & World Report; Best Mortgage Lender for Online Loans and Best Mortgage Lender for Refinancing by NerdWallet for 2021; HousingWire’s 2020 Tech100 award for the company’s industry-leading FlashClose℠ technology; No. 3 ranking in Scotsman Guide’s 2021 list of Top Retail Mortgage Lenders; Chicago Agent Magazine’s Lender of the Year for six consecutive years; and Chicago Tribune’s Top Workplaces list for seven consecutive years. Visit rate.com for more information.

 About The Armory Foundation

The Armory Foundation 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 Millrose Games – hosts more than 100 track & field meets and welcomes more than 220,000 visits. Among its many youth sports and educational programs, including the acclaimed Armory College Prep program, The Armory runs the leading collegiate indoor track meets with the Dr. Sander Invitational Columbia Challenge and the HBCU Showcase, and hosts the largest high school indoor track meets with the U. S. Air Force Hispanic Games, The New Balance Games, New Balance Nationals Indoor, the Energice Coaches Hall of Fame Invitational and Marine Corps Holiday Classic. New York Road Runners is a proud sponsor of all athletic events at The Armory. The Armory runs the Columbia & NewYork – Presbyterian Indoor Marathon Team Relay 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.

114th Millrose Games to Welcome 64 Olympians Including 3 Individual Gold Medal Winners

Athing Mu, twice a gold medal winner in the Tokyo Olympics, now will be running in the WHOOP Wanamaker Women’s Mile at The Armory New Balance Track & Field Center on Saturday, January 29th in the 114th Millrose Games. Photo by John Nepolitan.

NEW YORK, NY, Jan. 26, 2022 –   Ray Flynn, a two-time Irish Olympian, is preparing for his 10th Millrose Games as its Meet Director. It also happens to be the 10th time that track & field’s most recognized indoor meet is taking place at The Armory New Balance Track & Field Center.

“We are delighted with this year's terrific field of athletes right across all of our events,” Flynn said. “With 64 Olympians and three gold medalists from Tokyo, I couldn’t be happier.”

On Saturday, spectators at The Armory along with an NBC nationally-televised audience will welcome this unique track & field event, with its highest level of competition at the youth, high school, collegiate, club, and professional levels.

This year’s Millrose Games welcomes 64 Olympians including three gold medal winners from last summer’s Tokyo Olympics: Ryan Crouser, in the Men’s shot put; Athing Mu, in the Women’s 800m and 4x400 relay; and Katie Nageotte in the Women’s pole vault.

Earlier this week it was announced Mu would switch from the Jack and Lewis Rudin Women’s 800m to the WHOOP Wanamaker Women’s Mile.

More than one outstanding signature event is earmarked for the 114th NYRR Millrose Games. Flynn points to at least 15 high-volume elite track & field settings to stimulate deafening roars from inside the famous Armory. 

1)    Ronnie Baker trying to defend his Millrose Games Men’s 60m title against the World Record holder Christian Coleman, fastest man in the world in 2021 Trayvon Bromell and Olympic bronze medalist Noah Lyles.

2)    Is Olympic pole vault gold medalist Katie Nageotte finally due a win on her third Millrose Games start.

3)    Olympic Champion and world record holder Ryan Crouser will be ready for another challenge in the center of The Armory track during the Thorne Shot Put. Will he set another world record?

4)    Olympic 800m champion Athing Mu enters the Whoop Wanamaker Women’s Mile against American Record holder and defending champion Elle Purrier St Pierre. Don’t sleep on Josette Norris, who will have plenty of home support from nearby Tenafly, N.J., and 2019 champion Konstanze Klosterhalfen.

5)    Can New Zealand’s Olympic medalist Nick Willis break 4 minutes for the 20th year in a row?

6)    Can American Indoor 800m record holder Ajee’ Wilson maintain her great Millrose winning streak and her indoor American record in the Jack & Lewis Rudin Women’s 800m? Don’t overlook Jamaica middle-distance sensation and Olympian Natoya Goule-Toppin.

7)    Look for World Record holder and Olympic silver medalist Keni Harrison to defend her Millrose Games title in the Women’s 60m Hurdles. 

8)    Will we see a national high school record in the 800m from superstars Roisin Willis, Sophia Gorriaran or from sensational Shawnti Jackson in the Women’s 60m Dash? 

9)    Will we see another sub 3:50 second Whoop Wanamaker Men’s Mile when British Olympic Medalist Josh Kerr and Australia’s Olympian Ollie Hoare lead a stellar field of athletes?

10)  Look for World No. 1 Devon Allen to be challenged in the Men’s 60m Hurdles by 2019 U.S. Champion Daniel Roberts. 

11)  All eyes will be on U.S. Olympic Bronze medalist and sprint sensation Gabby Thomas in the Women’s 60m against U.S. 60m Champion Mikiah Brisco and Jamaican Olympic 4x100m Gold medalist Briana Williams. 

12)  How will 800m specialist and World Champion Donavan Brazier fare moving down to the Men’s 400m against Jamaican Olympic finalist Christopher Taylor?

13)  Look for the new U.S. star Tara Davis to make her mark in a Women’s Long Jump field that includes three other Olympians.

14)  A Who’s Who list boasts the Men’s 3000m. Cole Hocker, Olympic trials 1500m and NCAA 1500m champion indoors and outdoors for Oregon; Cooper Teare, the NCAA record holder in the indoor mile and 5000m Champion; Olympic finalist Luis Grijalva from Guatemala, recent NCAA cross country champion Conner Mantz and Drew Hunter, winner of USA 5k championships in November. 

15)  Speaking of the 3000m, in the women’s race Alicia Monson and Weini Kelati are fresh off their January 9th duel at the USATF Cross Country Championships where they finished first and second, respectively. Monson is a 2020 Olympian in the 10,000m and the 2019 Millrose Games champion in the 3000m.

For complete Millrose Games fields, go to: https://results.millrosegames.org

Tickets can be purchased by going to https://www.millrosegames.org/get-tickets

For more information on all Armory Track events go to www.armory.nyc.

Follow the Millrose Games on www.millrosegames.org and The Armory on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @armorynyc.

About The Armory Foundation

The Armory Foundation 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 Millrose Games – hosts more than 100 track & field meets and welcomes more than 220,000 visits. Among its many youth sports and educational programs, including the acclaimed Armory College Prep program, The Armory runs the leading collegiate indoor track meets with the Dr. Sander Invitational Columbia Challenge and the HBCU Showcase, and hosts the largest high school indoor track meets with the U. S. Air Force Hispanic Games, The New Balance Games, New Balance Nationals Indoor, the Energice Coaches Hall of Fame Invitational and Marine Corps Holiday Classic. New York Road Runners is a proud sponsor of all athletic events at The Armory. The Armory runs the Columbia & NewYork – Presbyterian Indoor Marathon Team Relay 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.

Guided by WHOOP, Sam Parsons Takes On the Millrose Games

Photo courtesy of www.tinmanelite.com / Joe Hale

Sam Parsons is one of the top distance runners in the country. Hailing from Wilmington, Delaware, Parsons attended North Carolina State University, where he competed at the NCAA Cross Country Championships all four years, before turning professional in 2017. He trains with the Tinman Elite group, based in Boulder, Colorado. Parsons competed in the 5000m at the 2019 World Championships, representing his mother’s native Germany. He has achieved personal bests of 3:59 in the mile, and 13:22 in the 5000m.

Parsons planned to make his first Olympic team last year, but his 2021 season was derailed by a foot injury. As 2022 begins, Parsons has his eyes on his second World Championship appearance, but not before he opens his season in the Dr. Sander Men’s Invitational 3000m at the Millrose Games. Part of Parsons’ buildup and comeback from injury has been monitored by his WHOOP, a tool that helps him and members of Tinman Elite keep track of their body’s recovery. 

“WHOOP is a tool that gives you that extra one percent and lets you dial into all the little things,” said Parsons. “Most days you feel pretty bad coming back from injury, and it gives me the confidence boost that I’m actually okay and I’m allowed to run hard that day. And if I’m feeling under the weather or something is going south even a little bit, WHOOP is going to tell me that beforehand.”

WHOOP is a wearable fitness tracker that keeps tabs on key biometric information, including resting heart rate, respiratory rate, blood oxygen levels, skin temperature, and sleep. The all-new WHOOP 4.0 is smaller and smarter than ever before, providing constant data collection while ensuring that nothing gets in the way of a snatch, swing, or stride.

“When I first wake up, WHOOP instantly tells me if I’m in the right range for sleep or not,” said Parsons. “As I prepare for Millrose, I’m constantly checking to make sure that I’m within the right range for all the key metrics. I wear WHOOP to make sure that I’m okay.”

 Not only does the device give Parsons the reassurance he needs that his training is on the right track, but it also helps guide the training program for the Tinman Elite team. Head coach Joan Hunter uses WHOOP to ensure that all of her athletes are getting the most out of their workouts.

“WHOOP is accountability on our wrists if any of us are doing anything stupid,” explained Parsons. “Coach Hunter checks our WHOOPs every morning, and if someone’s in the red because they had too many beers or stayed up too late, she’ll be able to know that and make sure that you’re doing your job properly. There are also instances where she might pull you back for a rep or two during a workout if you’re in the red, or just give you an extra day of rest in general.” 

WHOOP recently became the title sponsor for the historic Wanamaker Miles, which traditionally close out the Millrose Games. For the first time, the WHOOP Wanamaker Miles will feature live heart rate data throughout the race, something that has never been done before in track & field. Parsons is excited to watch how this new race dynamic unfolds.

“I think it’ll be really interesting to watch,” said Parsons. “The Wanamaker Mile has such a history to it. I was watching some old Bernard Lagat races with [teammate Drew Hunter], and I would’ve loved to see what his heart rate was looking like when he was lining up against Asbel Kiprop in 2010. Thanks to WHOOP, we’re going to have that little piece to look back at throughout history. Even though on TV it might seem like we’re flying and we’re untouchable, we’re still human and we get really nervous for these big races. To compete at a meet as prestigious as the Millrose Games at The Armory is something that we all have our calendars marked for, and I think that it’ll be something that’s really fun to watch. I wish I could see my live heart rate in the 3000m!”

Sam Parsons will take on a stacked field of Olympians and NCAA champions in the Dr. Sander Men’s Invitational 3000m, scheduled for 3:29 PM on Saturday, January 29th at the New Balance Track & Field Center at The Armory. Join WHOOP now and receive the WHOOP 4.0, your personal digital health and fitness coach, available online.