Nuguse eyes 4th consecutive NYRR Wanamaker Mile
Second and third finishers from last year's epic race, Kessler and Cameron, also return to iconic race
From Millrose Games
The 118th Millrose Games, the world’s most historic indoor track & field event, will take place on Sunday, February 1 at the Nike Track & Field Center at The Armory. As always, the meet will conclude with the running of the NYRR Men’s Wanamaker Mile, one of the most legendary events in the entire sport. This race will once again be headlined by Yared Nuguse, the Paris Olympic 1500m bronze medalist who has won the last three editions of this venerable race. He will face off with a pair of familiar foes in young stars Hobbs Kessler and Cameron Myers, who placed second and third this past year.
Bernard Lagat won six consecutive Wanamaker Miles from 2005-10. The legend won this race a record eight times in total, one of the many highlights of his incredible career.
In addition to winning this event three years in a row, Nuguse, 26, has also run the three fastest times in NYRR Wanamaker Mile history. His 2025 mark of 3:46.63 set the indoor Mile world record, and another record-breaking performance could well be on the table.
“I’m very excited to be back at Millrose,” said Nuguse. “I always run a great race there and I’m looking forward to having another great performance. With any luck I’ll continue my winning streak!”
Winning four in a row will be no small feat against a field of this caliber.
Kessler, 22, took fifth place in the 1500m at the 2024 Olympics, and is a two-time national champion, as well as a World Indoor bronze medalist and the world champion in the Road Mile. Kessler has been a force to be reckoned with since bursting onto the scene with a high school record-setting performance in the Mile back in 2021.
At just 19 years of age, Myers is the World Junior Record holder in the indoor Mile, setting the Australian senior record as well with his run at the 2025 Millrose Games. Also an Australian national champion, Myers became the second-youngest athlete in history to break 4 minutes in the Mile.
Numerous other Olympians and highly accomplished athletes are lining up to challenge the trio of Nuguse, Kessler and Myers, with the full field to be announced at a later date.
“Last year was a race for the ages with Yared setting a world record and leading an indoor record eight men under 3:50 for the Mile at our amazing venue,” said Millrose Games Meet Director Ray Flynn. “I'm certain that the NYRR Wanamaker Mile at the 118th Millrose Games will be another epic race!”
New York Road Runners (NYRR), the nonprofit that “runs” New York City, producing 60 annual adult and youth races, including the TCS New York City Marathon, has proudly sponsored the NYRR Wanamaker Mile since 2014.
“The NYRR Wanamaker Mile remains one of the most anticipated races of the year, and New York Road Runners is proud to have supported this prestigious event for more than a decade as part of our vision to transform lives through the power of running,” said Rob Simmelkjaer, CEO of New York Road Runners. “We’re excited to welcome Yared Nuguse – who set the world record in this very race last year – back to New York City following his triumphant NYRR racing debut at the New Balance 5th Avenue Mile in September, and we look forward to an unforgettable day of world class competition and camaraderie as these professional athletes inspire the next generation of runners.”
The 118th Millrose Games is a World Athletics Indoor Tour Gold meet. Other athletes announced include Grant Fisher and Cole Hocker in the Burgess Family Foundation Men’s 2 Mile, Elle St. Pierre, Jess Hull and Nikki Hiltz in the NYRR Women’s Wanamaker Mile, and Joe Kovacs in the Men’s Shot Put.
More details about the meet, as well as information about buying tickets, can be found at https://www.millrosegames.org/ More .than 90% of the seats to the Millrose Games have already been sold.
