Bernard Lagat on the way to the US record in his indoor 5000m debut (© Victah Sailer)
Three-time World indoor champion Bernard Lagat has been added to the list of top athletes announced for the Millrose Games, along with Olympic 800m finalists Duane Solomon and Nick Symmonds.
The 106th edition of the Millrose Games, held at the Armory on February 16, has been confirmed as the second stop of the 2013 Indoor USATF Championship Series, which also includes the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix in Boston – an IAAF Indoor Permit meeting – on February 2, and the USATF Indoor Championships in Albuquerque on March 1-2.
Veteran Bernard Lagat, now 38, is a familiar face at the Millrose Games. An eight-time winner of the meeting’s ‘Wanamaker Mile’, last year at this meeting he broke the American indoor 5000m record. At this year’s edition the three-time World indoor champion will be contesting the two-miles where the American record of 8:09.72 will be in his sights. He’ll be up against Kenya’s Lawi Lalang and Canada’s Olympic finalist Cam Levins.
Duane Solomon and Nick Symmonds, who both dipped under 1:43 in a memorable Olympic 800m final last summer, will attempt to surpass a 26-year-old American record in the 600m – 1:15.80 set by Chip Jenkins.
In the men's 60 Hurdles all eyes will be on London 2012 Olympic Games 110m Hurdles silver medallist Jason Richardsonand France's 2005 World Championships 110m Hurdles Ladji Doucoure.
Richardson won the silver medal with 13.04 in London, finishing only behind his only American teammate Aries Merritt. The 26-year-old Richardson also captured the 2011 World title in Daegu.
"The Millrose Games is one of the most historical track and field meets in the US and the Hurdles have always been a big part of this event, so I'm definitely looking forward to this opportunity in such a unique, fan-friendly environment like the Armory," said Richardson.
Also in the 60m Hurdles is Jamaica's Andrew Riley, who became the first athlete to capture both the 100m and 110m Hurdles titles at the same NCAA Track and Field Championships when he won both events in Des Moines, Iowa, last June.
A serious attempt at improving the 31-year-old American indoor record for 600m also looks to be in the making, as 2012 Olympic Trials 800m champion Alysia Montaño, who was fifth at the Olympics Games, 2012 IAAF World Indoor Championships 800m bronze medalist Erica Moore, and 2012 IAAF World Junior Championships 800m gold medallist Ajee' Wilson will all toe the line for a three-lap contest.
The trio will have as their target Delisa Walton-Floyd's US record of 1:26.56, set in 1981.
Previously announced for the Millrose Games are World and Olympic Long Jump champion Brittney Reese and Olympic Pole Vault champion Jenn Suhr.
"I'm delighted that the 2013 Millrose Games will be part of the USATF Championship Series," said Millrose Games meet director Ray Flynn. "We look forward to staging a terrific meet at the Armory to showcase many of the world's greatest athletes and recent Olympians."
Jon Mulkeen and organisers for the IAAF
