Yomif Kejelcha runs 3:51.70 at the NBIGP, photo by PhotoRurn.net
Mark my word. Yomif Kejelcha is not racing in Manhattan this coming weekend to take in the sites. He ran a 3:51.70 at the Reggie Lewis on January 26, 2019 in Boston, and he seemed to not know how fast he was going. After the race, under the careful watch of Coach Pete Julian, Yomif Kejelcha ran a workout, including a 200 meters in the 24.5 region, showing this viewer that the Mile Indoor WR is in jeapordy.
In the article below, Jeff Benjamin reminds us of the upcoming Millrose Mile that could be a barn burner! Can Yomif Kejelcha break the WR for the indoor mile! In the video below, Coach Alberto Salazar more than suggests that Yomif Kejelcha can make a run for the indoor WR at the mile and the 1,500 meters.
But, for the weekend, at the NB Armory Center, all eyes will be on the Wanamaker Millrrose mile and Yomif Kejelcha, which is just what Nick Willis and Craig Engels, among others hope for!
The Millrose Games will be held Saturday, February 9, 2019! Do not miss it!
Wow.
What A Field.
A Mile Geek’s Dream with a potential for world record fireworks! This will be the vibe taking place this upcoming Saturday at the 112th edition of the New York Road Runners Millrose Games. 
Yomif Kejelcha, NBIGP 2019, photo by PhotoRun.net
While there will be many high-end and dramatic competitions taking place in different events throughout the expected sold-out Armory New Balance Track & Field Center in upper Manhattan, meet Director Ray Flynn and his crew have kept the tradition going in assembling a top-notch field in the trademark Millrose event- The Men’s Wanamaker Mile.
And no one should be counted out either!
But it is Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha Who has lit the proverbial fuse. The Nike Oregon Project Star & 2018 Number one ranked world 5K Runner is coming of an eye-opening indoor performance where he broke the Ethiopian indoor mile record by running 3:51.70 to win the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix in Boston a few weeks ago.
But even more eye-opening is the video below where Kejelcha and his NOP coach Alberto Salazar both claim that Hicham El Guerrouj’s world indoor record of 3:48.45 may be in jeopardy this upcoming Saturday.
Kejelcha is also NOT the only fast competitive miler in the mix either!
Although 3-Time Wanamaker Mile And Olympic Gold Medalist Matthew Centrowitz is not competing, the field nevertheless is loaded. Kejelcha’s NOP teammate Clayton Murphy ran the 800m (1:45.92) flat track world record this past weekend at Camel City Elite Invitational in Winston-Salem, N.C.
Clayton Murphy, NBIGP 2019, photo by PhotoRun.net
Craig Engels, also competing for NOP, has a knack for disregarding times and always seems to be in a position to win, as shown 2 weeks ago at the Norb Sander Invite 1000 Meters (2:18.98).
Craig Engels, photo by PhotoRun.netAt the post race interview Engels was also quick to point out the strong mid-race surge launched by Johnny Gregorek (“Johnny made the race!”)
as well as the competitiveness of the always dangerous Robby Andrews, the 2017 USATF Outdoor 1500 Champion.
Nick Willis, NB Indoor GP, photo by PhotoRun.net
Let’s also not forget the veteran-savvy New Zealander Nick Willis either, who also seems to be in the right place when the race really begins.
Ed Cheserek, photo by PhotoRun.netNo doubt lurking in the shadows will be Edward Cheserek who is a sub- 3:50 miler Indoors (3:49.44) and raced over his usual track distance this past Thanksgiving, as the 17-time NCAA champion broke the Manchester Road Race record on a chilly day, clocking 21:16 for the hilly 4.748-mile race, leading to a solid indoor season thus far as well.
Someone get the match! Its definitely going to be explosive!!
Jeff Benjamin has written for 30 years for American Track and Field along with RunBlogRun. The Former President of the Staten Island AC & Chair of the Staten Island Running Association was the 5th man scorer for his Susan Wagner High School NYC XC City Championship team. Also a member of the College of Staten Island Sports Hall of Fame for XC, Jeff currently serves as the LDR Chairman for USATF NY. A passionate (or fanatical) follower of the Sport, some of Jeff's subjects have included Sebastian Coe, Emma Coburn, Eamonn Coghlan, Matt Centrowitz, Jim Spivey, Galen Rupp, Joe Newton, Tom Fleming, Ajee’ Wilson, Bill Rodgers, Allan Webb, Abel Kiviat, Jordan Hassay, Marty Liquori, Caster Semenya, Rod Dixon, Carl Lewis and Jim Ryun as well as Book Reviews and articles covering meets and races in the Northeast U.S.
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by Jeff Benjamin
