The Millrose Games are Back! Packed Armory Crowd Savors Spirited, In-Person, World Class Performances!

This is David Hunter’s feature on the 114th Millrose Games. He and his lovely wife battled the crazy air cancellations, flying in from Florida to get to the Big Apple. David texted me that the “Millrose Games were superb…I very much like the article that I am assembling…”

I loved it. David Hunter has written for us for a decade now, and he loves the sport that he writes about. The past 18 months has been insane, with the pandemic, and the challenges to our lives. The team at the Armory brought the meet back this year, and brought it back they did, in amazing style, with meet records, national records, and personal bests.

Oh, and I think you will enjoy the feature from David Hunter. David gets it. He is able to give the reader mind pictures, giving us the feel of this iconic meeting!

Nearly everyone was there, 2016 Olympic champ Matt Centrowitz, Jr. and 2021 Olympic bronze medalist Noah Lyles, 2022 Millrose Games, photo by Jeff Benjamin

The view from TV, 2022 Millrose Games, photo by Kathy Camara via Peacock TV

The Millrose Games Are Back

Packed Armory Crowd Savors Spirited, In-Person World Class Performances

The Armory

Washington Heights

New York, New York

29 January 2022

Two years ago, the undeniable highlight of 113^th Millrose Games was the women’s Wanamaker Mile where USA’s Elle Purrier [now Elle Purrier St. Pierre] crossed the line 1^st in 4:16.85 to demolish Mary Slaney’s 38-year-old American record. The next three finishers all set national marks in one of the most electrifying indoor miles in recent memory. The exuberant fans, anticipating even greater performances to come in the 2020 Olympic year, could not imagine that a global pandemic would soon change everything.

Elle Purrier St. Pierre, winner, 2022 WHOOP Wanamaker Women’s mile, photo by Jeff Benjamin

After an unexpected, COVID-driven roller coaster ride that forced vast changes in how the sport, the athletes, and the fans would cope, this 114^th Millrose edition presented a special moment that Armory top brass embraced. After a 24 month stretch during which track & field dealt with cancelations; an absence of consistent motivation; improvisation of training and competing; a restructuring of the sport’s calendar; and a fan-less Olympic Games held in a country in which a large number of its citizens wanted no part, the 2022 Millrose Games proved to be the day in which track & field athletes could once again compete at the highest level exhorted on by the roar of a packed arena.

The man in the hat: Ryan Crouser speaks about a shot put that had no marks, due to an equipment malfunction, photo by Jeff Benjamin

Here are some of the highlights:

• mSP / Picking up right where he left off last season, Ryan Crouser dominated the men’s shot put garnering his 3^rd consecutive Millrose win with a winning heave of 73’10″/22.50m. It had earlier been announced he threw 76’8½”/23.38m, which would have given him a new world record. Millrose Games Meet Director said that because of an “equipment malfunction that caused a false reading” Crouser did not get the world mark.
• wLJ: Tara Davis, Olympic long jump finalist in Tokyo, was the women’s long jump victor with a first-round leap of 21’7 ½” 6.59m. Quanesha Banks [21’5″/6.54m] edged Keturah Orji [21’5½/6.54m] to claim the runner-up spot.
• wPV / Sandi Morris looked sharp besting the field in the women’s pole vault. Her winning clearance of 15’7″/4.75m is the new world leader. Emily Grove [14’7¼/4.45m] finished 2^nd while Olympic champion Katie Nageotte made only one clearance [14’3¼”/ 4.35m] which placed her 3^rd .
• m60H / Daniel Roberts [7.53] had the superior start but Olympic 110m hurdles finalist Devon Allen [7.51], always a vicious closer, nipped his Nike teammate at the line for the win.
• w60H / Jamaica’s Brittany Anderson had the best run-in and captured the Millrose hurdle crown in a lifetime best clocking of 7.91. A sluggish start relegated world record holder and Olympic silver medalist Keni Harrison [8.00] to 4^th.
• w60 / Aleiha Hobbs [7.10 / #2WL] looked in mid-season form in winning the women’s 60m dash. Mikiah Brisco [7.15] finished 2^nd.
• m60 / A terrific start launched Christian Coleman off on a wire-to-wire victory in the men’s 60m dash. The world record holder clocked a world-leading time of 6.49 in turning back an impressive field that included Trayvon Bromell [2^nd in 6.50], defending Millrose champion and Olympic 100m finalist Ronnie Baker [3^rd in 6.64], Olympic 200m bronze medalist Noah Lyles [4^th in 6.62] and Olympic gold medalist Omar McLeod [6^th in 6.70].
• m800m / Olympic 800m semi-finalist Bryce Hoppel [1:46.05] had the winning game plan as he captured the Millrose title in the men’s 800m. Tucked in behind the pacer, the adidas athlete hit 400 meters in 52.17. Michael Saruni [2^nd in 1:46.32] moved up to lead at the bell. But Hoppel took control on the final back stretch and sailed on for the win. Isaiah Harris {1:45.49] finished 3^rd .
• w3000m / In a reprise of the recent USATF cross country championships. Alicia Monson and Weini Kelati dueled once again in the women’s 3000m race. In the early going and as expected the duo easily created space for themselves ahead of the rest of the impressive field. Monson undertook the pacing chores as Kelati tucked in behind. As the twosome clocked kilo splits of 2:51 and 5:43, an exciting finish was brewing. After slyly cranking the pace, Monson, a former Millrose 3000m victor, slowly broke away over the final 400m as a game Kelati couldn’t hang on. The former Wisconsin star crossed 1st in 8:31.62 with Kelati taking 2^nd in 8:33.72.
• m400m / Jamaica’s Christopher Taylor [46:38] was the winner as USA veteran Vernon Norwood [46.45] finished 2^nd. World championship gold medalist and American record holder in the 800m Donavan Brazier, dropping down to race the 400, finished 3^rd in 46.55, an indoor personal best.
• m3000m / A stacked field competed in one of the more exciting races of the day. A pacer led the field of 15 through the first kilo in 2:33 and later 1500m in 3:53. At 2K Canada’s John Gay [5:11] was in the lead with reigning NCAA Div I XC champion and newly-minted professional Conner Manz in close pursuit. The last 400 meters were frantic with New Zealand’s crafty Geordie Beamish up in the mix. A perfectly-timed final lap in 25.7 rocketed the Kiwi into the lead and ultimately the victory in 7:39.50. The former Duck duo of Cooper Teare [7:39.61] and Olympic 1500m finalist Cole Hocker [7:39.83] finished 2-3.
• w400m / Wadeline Jonethis [52.51], world championship and Olympic gold medalist in the 4×4, looked strong in winning the 2-lapper. Ageless Jessica Beard [52.95], an Olympic gold medalist, got up for 2^nd while World Championship 800m silver medalist Raevyn Rogers [55.58], stepping down from the 800m, finished 5^th.
• Women’s Wanamaker Mile / In the marquee women’s event, Charlene Lipsey took on the pacing chores, leading the field of 13 through 400m in 64 seconds and 800m in 2:09. Defending champion and American record holder Elle Purrier St. Pierre, who stayed within striking distance of Lipsey early on, moved into the lead with more than 2 laps remaining. Meanwhile 19 year old Athing Mu, a 400m/800m specialist, was testing her strength over the mile and lurking nearby. At the bell, a determined St. Pierre had a 6 meter lead as Mu, unexpectably, stepped off the track. St. Pierre [4:19.30], essentially unchallenged, raced the final 400m in 63.69 to successfully defend her Wanamaker Mile title. Unheralded Josette Norris [4:20.81] rallied for 2^nd and Konstanze Klosterhalfen [4:22.59], 2^nd in the race in ’20, finished 3^rd. How special was this race? St. Pierre’s winning time is the world leader and is #2 on the USA all-time list. and, second only to her clocking in her 2020 Wanamaker win. Globally, only 6 women have ever raced the indoor mile faster than Elle did in successfully defending her title. As for runner-up Norris, she is now #2 of the USA all-time list for the women’s indoor mile – behind only St. Pierre’s jaw-dropping performance in winning the ’20 Wanamaker mile. 4^th place Jessica Hull [4:24.06] set a new Australian national record while 3 additional finishers joined Norris in setting personal bests. “This was a different year and a different race (then the 2020 Wanamaker Mile),” said the winner afterwards. “I’m coming off a big season and I did not have a lot of expectations.”
• w800m / The women’s 800m featured a showdown of two seasoned competitors: Armory favorite Ajée Wilson and Jamaican rival Natoya Goule. The pacer led the field through the first 400m in 59.92 followed by Olivia Baker, Wilson, and Goule. After the pacer stepped off, Wilson slid into the lead while the Jamaican tucked in behind her, covering the former American record holder’s move. After taking the bell, Ajée heard the roar of the crowd as Goule began to move on the final backstretch. But Wilson had another gear, powered away, and sprinted on to victory in 2:01.38 with Goule finishing 2^nd in 2:02.14.
• Men’s Wanamaker Mile / As is customary, the gathering closed with the men’s Wanamaker mile. Former Millrose 600m champion Erik Sowinski led the field of 13 through 880y in 1:54.57 with Australia’s Oliver Hoare well positioned in 2^nd and Josh Kerr, the Brit, in 3^rd. At 1320y, USA’s Colby Alexander had solidified his 3^rd place position behind the early leaders as the trio had created space from the rest of the field. In the final 440y, Kerr actually passed Hoare, but the Aussie would have none of it. Covering the final two laps in 57.57 Hoare roared on for the victory in a Millrose record and world-leading time of 3:50.83 with Kerr [3:52.27 / PB] 2nd and Alexander [3:52.84 / PB] finishing 3^rd. “I came into the new year truly confident. Josh and I have been going back and forth since college,” said Hoare who turned 25 on race day. “I wanted to get in the pace and be very relaxed. For me, it was a great race and I ran a great last 400m.” Back in the pack, 2-time Olympic medalist Nick Willis, exhorted onward by his young protégée Hobbs Kessler, crossed in 3:59.71 for his 20^th year in a row of racing the mile under 4:00. “Twenty years,” said Willis, “this puts a cap on it. It’s a special moment and it’s a very humbling opportunity.”

Afterwards, Armory Foundation Co-President Jonathan Schindel was all smiles as the Millrose spectators – who braved a vicious Nor’easter of heavy snow and lashing winds to get to Washington Heights – were abuzz as they headed to the exits.

A jubliant Christian Coleman, first race in 20 months, and he beats the best in the U.S., photo by Jeff Benjamin

Schindel looked back on the pandemic challenges the Armory faced. “We kept our entire staff. No one got laid off; no one got a reduction in pay They gave their heart and soul here. They operated all through COVID. We asked them to be vaccinated. They all got vaccinated. They all got boosted.” His team found innovative ways to promote fitness and keep track and field athletes and students interested and focused. In addition to the Armory’s customary practice of assisting students with standardized test preparation and college admission, they engaged marquee track and field athletes to lead regularly-scheduled Zoom exercise classes. They held frequent and Covid-protected “Armory Trials” that allowed young athletes to maintain a level of training and commitment. While so many others around the globe were stymied and exhausted, the dedicated Armory team found ways to be innovative and upbeat.

Ajee’ Wilson, after her sixth win at 800 meters in Millrose Games, photo by Jeff Benjamin

Before leaving, Jonathan took a moment to outline how he would measure Millrose success in the year of its return.. “The crowd leaves and says, ‘Gee, that was the greatest track meet I’ve ever gone to. I can’t wait until next year.’ I would want the athletes to feel that Millrose is special unlike any other meet in which they have competed and that they want to come back next year.” / Dave Hunter /

Jeff Benjamin with 2022 WHOOP Wanamaker Mile champion, Ollie Hoare, photo by Jeff Benjamin