Performance
Highlights from the 2020 Millrose Games
A record breaking day at The Armory
Every year, the Millrose Games pulls together a stellar cast of athletes for the most prestigious and longest running indoor athletics meet in the world. The highlight of the 2019 edition was surely Yomif Kejelcha's win in the mile - missing the indoor WR by .01 of a second (yikes).
With names like Donavan Brazier, Konstanze Klosterhalfen, Nia Ali, Grant Holloway, and more on display, Millrose gives us a chance to get a look at early season form of some of the bigget names in the sport.
We were lucky to have one of the best shooters in the game, Jason Suarez, trackside to capture the action the way only he can.
One of the first big battles of the day was Kendra Harrison (I'm not listing her accomplishments here, because there are too many) up against Nia Ali (likewise - both of these women have big medals) in the 60m hurdles, with Harrison winning in 7.90 - Ali was second in 7.96 (!).
The men's 800m was one of the feature races of the meet, with World Champ and certified big dog Donavan Brazier lining up against young gun and new-ish pro Bryce Hoppel.
There is absolutely no stopping Donavan Brazier right now - this is his first win at Millrose, but this guy just does not lose. Since he came 2nd in this event last year at Millrose, he lost only two more times in 2019 - 3rd in the Doha Diamond League 800m and 3rd in the Azusa 1500m (he won 11 other races in 2019).
Brazier remains undefeated for 2020 - he won a 600m indoor in Boston two weeks ago, and in this race set a new American Record with 1:44.22, closing the final 200 in 24.89.
The women's 3000m was a good time, with Boston Athletic Association's Dana Giordano doing a lot of the work out front in the early part of a race that also included Allie Ostrander and New Mexico phenom Weini Kelati.
After Giordano dropped at 2000m, it was left to Canadian Julie Staehli, Laura Rodriguez, and Allie Ostrander to fight it out on the last lap, with Ostrander edging Staehli en route to a PR of 8:48.94.
The event that turned out to be probably the biggest buzz of the meet was the NYRR Wanamaker Women's Mile. It was a quality field - Konstanze Klosterhalfen, Nikki Hiltz, Colorado's Dani Jones, and Elle Purrier all lining up. After being outkicked by Jess Hull two weeks ago in Boston, the good money was on KoKo to redeem herself here.
After pacer Megan Mansy stepped off the track, Klosterhalfen led the field through 1000m in 2:40.43. That was as good as it got for KoKo, as a group of 4 were all together at the bell. After Klosterhalfen put 2-3 metres on the chasers around the back straight, Purrier executed the perfect kick, coming home in a new American Record of 4:16.85.
Incredibly, the first 4 home all set national records. Klosterhalfen (Germany, 4:17.26), Jemma Reekie* (GBR, 4:17.88), and Gabriela Debues-Stafford *(Canada, 4:19.73).
Finally, the NYRR Wanamaker Men's Mile, featuring perpetual bridesmaid Nick Willis (Willis has reached the podium of this event 6 times), Filip Ingebrigtsen, Eric Jenkins, Chris O'Hare, and Australian Ollie Hoare.
Brit Chris O'Hare took the lead from Filip Ingebrigtsen at the bell, after Ingebrigtsen led for most of the second half of the race. O'Hare had the race won a long way out, a cheeky look back the start of one of the longest celebrations we've seen for a while.
Lastly, major shouts to two competitors in the men's 3000m. TEMPO favourite Jordan Gusman set a new Maltese national record with 7:48.17 for 3rd, while high schooler Nico Young broke Drew Hunter's HS 3000m record by running 7:56.97.