Mile News


2015 NYRR Millrose Games: Wanamaker Mile cheat sheets

February 13, 2015

Defending race champions Will Leer, Mary Cain face stellar fields at The Armory; Masters world record for 8-time Wanamaker MIle champion and evergreen Bernard Lagat?

By Chris Chavez, Sporting News

While thousands will flock to the Barclays Center for NBA All-Star Weekend, the greatest feats of athleticism Saturday can be seen at the New Balance Track & Field Center, about a 40-minute train ride away. That's where the 108th Millrose Games will be taking place. The meet has been a staple of track & field as it combines some of the best talent from the high school, collegiate and professional ranks.

The signature events of the night will be the men's and women's Mile, also known as the storied Wanamaker Mile. The race has been held at the meet since 1908 and features one of the fastest fields of the winter season.

Here's a cheat sheet to pull up on your phone or laptop before watching with friends:

Men’s Wanamaker Mile
Bernard Lagat (eight-time Wanamaker Mile champion): This tough field might lose to a Masters runner, 40, who showed last weekend in Boston that he can still close a 3000 meter run in 27 seconds. Father Time has not ben able to catch Lagat and not many runners will, either.

Will Leer (2014 Wanamaker Mile champion): Ran 3:57.54 at the Hilton Garden Innvitational to open his season at the Bring Back the Mile Grand Prix Tour and cannot be counted out after kicking down everyone in the final stretch for last year’s victory, followed by throwing up the double guns.

Nick Willis: The Kiwi showed in Boston that he is in 3:51 shape and that everyone should be afraid of the 3:29 1500m runner. He's responding better to his first training stint at altitude than many would expect.

Matthew Centrowitz: After a sickness sidelined him from chasing records in 2014, Centrowitz took a shot at the 1000m U.S. record with his 2:17.00 world leading time. He’s healthy, so look for him to feed off a home crowd.

Continue reading at: www.sportingnews.com

Tags: will leer (37) , wanamaker mile (71) , nick willis (109) , millrose games (67) , matthew centrowitz (132) , mary cain (64) , bernard lagat (35)

Facebook Comments

Return the Mile to prominence on the American & worldwide sports and cultural landscape by elevating and celebrating the Mile to create a movement.

ELEVATE
Bring Back the Mile as the premier event in the sport, and increase interest in and media coverage of the Mile for both those who love the distance as well as the general public.

CELEBRATE
Bring Back the Mile to celebrate the storied distance and to recognize the people who made and make the Mile great and to promote Mile events and the next generation of U.S. Milers.

NATIONAL MOVEMENT
Bring Back the Mile to create a national movement for the Mile as America’s Distance,
to inspire Americans to run the Mile as part of their fitness program and to replace the 1600 meters at High School State Track & Field Meets across the country.

Become a Mile Maniac member or a BBTM sponsor today! Join us, and go Mile!

Join Us

Thanks for joining the movement and being a Mile Maniac. We'll keep you up to-date with our Mile wires as well as exclusive contests and opportunities. Help us spread the word by sharing our site and joining us on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram!