Exciting Events to Highlight 2014 Millrose Games

The 2013 track and field season helped to further secure Usain “Lightning” Bolt’s legacy as one of the greatest athletes to ever slip on a pair of spikes and take to the track. However, while Bolt remained the most recognizable face in the sport, there were a number of other stars who also managed to stamp their names and faces in the minds of spectators all around the world.

 

Many of these breakout stars were Americans. New York native Mary Cain was one of the athletes who made the biggest impression on the national and international scenes. The teenaged middle distance sensation ran all the way to the final of the of the 1,500-meter event at the 14^th IAAF World Championship in Moscow, Russia. After mixing it up with some of history’s best competitors in the event, she came away from her amazing Russian adventure with a highly creditable 10^th place finish. Her early form in 2014 suggests that she is even stronger and faster heading into her appearance at the 2014 edition of the famed Millrose Games.

 

6 Events to Watch at the Armory

 

Mary Cain

 

• NYRR Wanamaker Mile – Women

The 17 year old Cain headlines the competitors in this marquee event, which is always one of the most highly anticipated at the Millrose Games. The young phenomenon signaled her intentions to have another big year in 2014 when she set a new world junior indoor record for the 1,000-meter distance at a recent meet in Boston. However, if she’s to cross the finish line first in her hometown, she’ll likely have to ward off a strong challenge from veteran American 1,500-meter runner Morgan Uceny. Uceny represented the United States in her event at the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London.   

 

• NYRR Wanamaker Mile – Men

Moscow World Champs 1,500-meter silver medalist Matthew Centrowitz is the pre-race favorite heading into the prestigious men’s mile event. He’s likely to face some stiff competition from a very good field that includes New Zealand’s 2008 Olympic 1,500-meter silver medal winner Nick Willis. While he’s probably not in the type of shape to figure prominently in the race, a lot of the attention of the spectators and viewers will be focused on former American middle and long distance sensation Alan Webb. This race is likely to be the final indoor competition of his interesting career.    

 

• Paavo Nurmi 2,000-meter run – Men

American middle distance legend Bernard Lagat has long been one of the most popular faces to compete at the Millrose Games. The master tactician, who will celebrate his 40^th birthday later this year, is an eight-time winner of the Wanamaker Mile. However, on this occasion, he’ll be concentrating all of his energies on getting the better of Nick Willis, who’ll be doubling up, and a host of his fellow Americans.     

 

• Mel Sheppard 1,000-meter run – Men

Three of America’s best male middle distance runners – Nick Symmonds, Duane Solomon, and Erik Sowinski – will be featured in the 1,000-meter event at this year’s renewal of the Millrose Games. 2013 World Championship 800-meter silver medalist Symmonds is likely to enter the salivating showdown as the slight favorite. However, there isn’t much to choose between him and the other two main men who he’ll face on the 15^th. Solomon, who also had an outstanding season in 2013, will be very eager to make up for the disappointment he faced in the final of the 800 meters in Moscow last year. Meanwhile, Sowinski will be looking to repeat the defeat he inflicted on Symmonds and Solomon when they toed the line in a 600-meter race at the 2013 Millrose Games.   

 

Nick Symmonds will try to go for gold at the Millrose Games.

 

• Road to Rio 800-meter run – Women

Three of the world’s brightest female middle distance prospects will lock horns in the Road to Rio 800-meter run. 19 year old Ajee Wilson will carry American hopes into what’s expected to be a titanic clash with Jamaica’s reigning NCAA 800-meter indoor champ Natoya Goule and Iceland’s world junior outdoor two-lap champion Anita Hinriksdottir. However, this event would have been an even more mouthwatering prospect if Mary Cain, who was originally down to compete in the four-lap race, had opted to contest it instead of the women’s Wanamaker Mile. Nonetheless, the high quality and youthful field assembled should give the thousands of fans expected at the Armory ample reason to cheer hysterically.  

 

1. 60-meter dash – Men

You won’t see superstars Usain Bolt, Tyson Gay, Yohan Blake, or Justin Gatlin competing at the Millrose Games on the 15^th. Nonetheless, you can still expect to see a drag race down the 60-meter straightaway between a collection of very good young American sprinters – including Olympian Isiah Young and 2013 NCAA indoor 60-meter champ D’Angelo Cherry. The seemingly ever-present Jamaican threat will come from former 2005 World Championship 100-meter silver medalist Michael Frater.     

 

Get in on the Action

The Millrose Games is one of the most prestigious indoor meets on the annual track and field calendar. This year’s edition is poised to add another storied chapter to its long and distinguished history. You can catch all of the live action from this celebrated track and field event when the festivities get underway at 3 p.m. ET (on NBCSN).

 

Exciting Events to Highlight 2014 Millrose Games