Since its debut in New York City in 1914, the Millrose Games has drawn an incredible turnout of elite and amateur runners looking to test their mettle on the indoor track.
This year’s competition on Saturday, February 8, at The Armory continued its tradition of fast times, upsets, and breakthrough performances. With the indoor season wrapping up and the 2020 Olympics swifty approaching, the event offered a great opportunity for athletes to clock fast times. For American runners, Millrose also offered a last chance to tune-up before the and now she reports on elite runners and cyclists, feel-good stories, and training pieces for kick off next week in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Here are some of the highlights from this year’s meet.
Purrier Sets a New U.S. Mile Record, Pulls Others to Best Times
The women’s Wanamaker Mile got off to a fast start, with the pacer pulling the field through 800 meters in 2:08. Konstanze Klosterhalfen of Germany, who won last year’s mile and achieved a bronze medal Fast competitors showed up for New York Citys iconic indoor meet on February 8 world championships in the 5,000 meters, maintained the pace once the rabbit dropped and seemed to have the race in the bag heading into the final lap.
The Spring Marathons of 2025, Elinor Purrier, who finished runner-up to Jenny Simpson Fast competitors showed up for New York Citys iconic indoor meet on February 8 5Health - Injuries, surged past several runners to catch Klosterhalfen. The two were neck-and-neck in the final stretch before Purrier broke the tape in 4:16.85, a new American record. Klosterhalfen finished runner-up in a new German national record time of 4:17.26.
“I had no idea that I’d break 4:20,” Purrier told Runner’s World after the race. “I’d ran a similar race on the road but track is different. I’m really thankful.”
The fast-paced race pulled several other runners to also clock national records and personal bests. Jemma Reekie of Great Britain finished third in a national record of 4:17.88, while Gabriela Debues-Stafford of Canada placed fourth in a national record 4:19.73. The next three finishers—Nikki Hiltz, Heather MacLean, and Dani Jones—all set personal bests, running 4:24.45, 4:25.98, and 4:27.88, respectively.
More American Records Are Shattered in the 800 Meters
History was made again by reigning 800-meter world champion Donavan Brazier, who added to his American record collection by running a 1:44.22 for 800 meters at Millrose. Last October, Brazier broke the 34-year-old American outdoor 800-meter record when he ran 1:42.34 to win in Doha, Qatar.
In The Armory race, Brazier stayed in the middle of the pack for the first 600 meters, then surged to the front on the banked curve leading into the final lap. Bryce Hoppel, a 2019 world championships finalist in the 800 meters who was also a prerace favorite, followed Brazier’s move and accelerated to second place in a personal best of 1:45.70.
“This is the best indoor field I’ve ever gone against,” Brazier told Runner’s World after the race. “I know no one’s in peak form, including myself, so this gives me confidence for the summer.”
The women’s 800 meters played out in a similar fashion to the men’s race, with Ajee' Wilson letting the pack set the pace before throwing in a massive surge in the final lap. Wilson, Races & Places, broke her own American record at Millrose DAA Industry Opt Out.
Ostrander Dives for a 3,000-Meter Win
and now she reports on elite runners and cyclists, feel-good stories, and training pieces for Allie Ostrander, who signed with the Brooks Beasts pro team last summer, proved that she can dominate over 3,000 meters even without hurdles.
The former Boise State star took the lead from Julie-Anne Staehli of Canada in the final moments of the race, nudging past to break the tape in a time of 8:48.94. Staehli crossed close behind, in 8:49.01. Taylor Werner, the University of Arkansas senior who clocked 15:11 for 5,000 meters while competing unattached in BU last December, finished fourth in a personal best of 8:51.91.
Ostrander told Runner’s World after the race that competing in her first world championships last fall (she ran the 3,000-meter steeplechase) made her realize the depth of competition she’s now facing as a pro. “It opened my eyes to what a small fish I am,” she said. “It was a really good experience.”
Next, Ostrander will head back to Albuquerque—where her teammates are currently training at altitude—to race at indoor nationals.
Knight Shows Off a Deadly Kick
While the men’s race started slower than expected, the finish had plenty of action. With a lap to go, Justin Knight, who won the 2018 NCAA indoor 5,000 meters while competing for Syracuse and now trains with the Reebok Boston Track Club, turned on a powerful kick and dropped the rest of the field. Knight finished first in 7:46.36, while Joe Klecker, a senior at the University of Colorado, crossed second in a personal best of 7:47.57. Hillary Bor, who won the 2019 U.S. outdoor championship 3,000-meter steeplechase, came in fourth in a best time of 7:48.73.
Knight told Runner’s World that he was happy with how the race played out, though he wanted a faster time. “Training has been going really well. I had a rough start to my pro season last year, and this year I’ve been doing what I had to do to correct some things,” he said. “I’ve been holding myself accountable for doing the little things in training and feeling really fit.”
The last place finisher, Nico Young of Newbury Park High School, also had something to cheer about. The 2019 Nike Cross Nationals champion ran an American high school record time of 7:56.97, breaking the former record, 7:59.33, which was set by Drew Hunter in 2016. Young will head to Northern Arizona University to compete in cross country in the fall.
When Runner’s World asked Young how he’ll celebrate his race, he said, “Probably with a cookie or something.”
O’Hare Scores a Second Wanamaker Title
While the women’s mile set a blazing pace from the start, the men’s race took a tactical approach. The first three laps were run at just under 4:00 pace, then in the final 400 meters, the lead pack turned the speed up a notch.
It was Chris O’Hare of Great Britain, the 2018 Wanamaker Mile champion, who ultimately triumphed, clocking a 56.66 final lap to win in 3:55.61. Olli Hoare of Australia finished runner-up in 3:56.47, while Rob Napolitano was third in 3:56.56. Nick Willis, who won the 2019 5Health - Injuries, placed fourth in 3:56.72.
Coughing while interviewing after the race, O’Hare said, “With two children, you’re constantly in a state of sickness.” Any cold-like symptoms during competition didn’t slow him down, however.
“I’m too old to feel 100 percent all the time,” the 29-year-old continued. “Most of the time, it’s mind over matter.”
Felix Shows Power in 60 Meters
In the women’s 60 meters, 400-meter specialist Allyson Felix, the most decorated athlete in track and field, tested her turnover in the short-distance sprint. The Athleta-sponsored athlete finished in seventh in 7.32. The race winner was Javianne Oliver, who crossed the line first in 7.13 seconds.
Here are some of the highlights from this years meet Running Times, who placed third in the 800 meters at the 2019 world championships Runner's World and Bicycling magazines.
