Millrose Games Brings World-Class Track & Field to New York City

Wanamaker Mile: Nuguse Defends His Title in a Thrilling Finish

The Wanamaker Mile, widely regarded as the signature event of the Millrose Games, once again provided a thrilling contest. Yared Nuguse, the American record-holder in the mile, successfully defended his title in 3:49.85, holding off a late charge from Oliver Hoare of Australia. The race began at a rapid pace, with multiple competitors pushing for sub-3:50 times, creating one of the fastest indoor miles ever witnessed in Millrose history. Nuguse, known for his tactical brilliance and devastating final lap speed, surged ahead in the last 150 meters to secure his second consecutive Wanamaker Mile victory.

The women's edition of the race was equally competitive, with Elle St. Pierre taking first place in 4:17.20, outpacing Scotland’s Jemma Reekie in a fierce sprint to the finish. St. Pierre’s time marked one of the fastest indoor miles in U.S. history, further solidifying her as a top contender heading into the 2025 outdoor season.

Sprints and Middle Distance Events Steal the Show

The women’s 60-meter dash saw an electrifying performance from Aleia Hobbs, who clocked an impressive 7.03 seconds to win the event. The field featured some of the world’s best sprinters, but Hobbs demonstrated superior acceleration and top-end speed, reinforcing her reputation as one of the best short sprinters in the world.

On the men’s side, the 800 meters delivered one of the most surprising results of the evening. Rising American star Brandon Miller pulled off a stunning upset, winning in 1:45.92. Miller, who has been making a name for himself over the past year, ran a perfectly executed race, sitting patiently before making a decisive move in the final lap. His time marked a new personal best and positioned him as a strong contender for the U.S. team at the upcoming World Championships.

Field Events: Kendricks Returns to the Top

The men’s pole vault featured a comeback story, as Sam Kendricks, a two-time world champion, made a triumphant return after dealing with injuries that kept him out of most of the 2024 season. He cleared 5.92 meters, narrowly missing out on a new meet record. Kendricks expressed his joy in being back at the highest level, calling the Millrose Games a "huge confidence booster" as he prepares for major international competitions later in the year.

Meanwhile, in the women’s high jump, Vashti Cunningham, daughter of former NFL quarterback Randall Cunningham, continued her dominance, winning the event with a clearance of 1.98 meters. She remains the top-ranked high jumper in the U.S. and is expected to be a strong medal hopeful in upcoming international meets.

Rising Stars Shine on the Big Stage

While the professional races were the main attraction, the Millrose Games also provided a stage for high school and collegiate athletes to showcase their talents. The boys’ high school mile saw a new meet record set, as Jackson Heides of Texas ran an astonishing 3:57.45, becoming just the fourth high school athlete in history to break the 4-minute mile barrier indoors. In the girls’ 800 meters, 17-year-old Samantha Wright delivered a gutsy performance to win in 2:02.30, setting a new national high school record.

For many of these young athletes, competing at the Millrose Games is a stepping stone toward professional careers, and several high school standouts will likely be seen on the international stage in the coming years.

Looking Ahead: A Big Year for Track & Field

With the 2025 World Championships in sight and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics approaching, the Millrose Games gave fans an early glimpse of the elite talent that will dominate the sport in the years to come. As always, the meet delivered fast times, record-breaking performances, and dramatic finishes, reinforcing its place as the premier indoor track meet in the United States.