Ray Flynn listed his Top 10 events to watch at the 2024 Millrose Games. #Powerjournalist Markos Papadatos has the scoop.
After months of anticipation, the 116th Millrose Games are finally here! This world-renowned track and field extravaganza will take place this Sunday, February 11th at the Nike Track & Field Center at The Armory. As always, the Millrose Games features world-class competition at every level, from Youth to Masters and everything in between.
Meet Director Ray Flynn, a former Olympic runner himself and still the Irish record holder in the mile, lists his 2024 top ten highlights
At No. 10… The men’s pole vault is being held at Millrose for the first time since 2014, and the event figures to be a terrific showdown between a pair of American record holders. Who will come out on top between indoor record holder Chris Nilsen and outdoor record holder KC Lightfoot?
At No. 9…. Alicia Monson returns to the Millrose stage looking for her third straight victory after setting the American record in the 3000m last year. She’ll run one lap further this year, and the two mile American record of 9:10.28 is vulnerable. Monson will have strong challenges from Great Britain’s Olympic medalist Laura Muir, American outdoor mile record holder Nikki Hiltz, and the impressive young Ethiopian Medina Eisa.
At No. 8… Christian Coleman is also seeking a third consecutive Millrose title, as he will star in the Men’s 60m, an event that he holds the world record in. Always a showman, all eyes will be on Coleman and his lightning-quick start. Can Jamaica’s Ackeem Blake get close to him after his strong showing in Boston this past weekend?
At No. 7… The Women’s 300m showcases a pair of up-and-coming sprint stars in Ireland’s Rhasidat Adeleke and NCAA and US 400m champion Talitha Diggs. They both reached the final at last year’s World Championships, with Adeleke placing fourth.
At No. 6, Julien Alfred was the breakout star of the sprints in 2023, rewriting the NCAA record book and going undefeated until the World Championships, where she finished 5th in the 100m. She opens her 2024 season in the Millrose 60m, where she will face off against four Olympians, including relay gold medalists Briana Williams and English Gardner. Look for Jamaican star Shashalee Forbes to challenge for the win as well.
At No. 5, Jamaica’s defending world champion Danielle Williams is set to clash with defending Millrose champion Devynne Charlton of the Bahamas in the Women’s 60m hurdles. The field also includes former world champion Nia Ali, British Olympian Cindy Sember, and current world leader Tia Jones, winner in Boston. This is anyone’s race.
At No. 4, reigning 1500m world champion Josh Kerr of Great Britain goes for the two mile world record. He will take on Grant Fisher, who holds American records over 3000m, 5000m, and 10000m. Rising American star Cole Hocker will also factor. Will anyone eclipse the world record of 8:03.40?
At No. 3, the NYRR Women’s Wanamaker Mile features two-time champion and American record holder Elle Purrier St. Pierre, as well as Australia’s Jessica Hull, who narrowly defeated St. Pierre in a very quick 3000m last weekend. Hometown favorite Josette Andrews, the runner-up in the last two Wanamaker Miles, is looking to etch her name in Millrose history. This has all the makings of a classic.
At No 2., Ukraine’s Yaroslava Mahuchikh is the defending world champion in the high jump, and she opened her season with a dominant win in Germany and world lead of 2.04. As she prepares for her Millrose debut, there is talk of the world record, which stands at 2.08 meters (6 feet, 9.75 inches). Can Vashti Cunningham, who won the previous two Millrose high jumps, keep pace?
Moment of truth (drum roll, please)… At. No. 1, as always, the day will conclude with the NYRR Men’s Wanamaker Mile. Yared Nuguse stole the show last year with the second fastest indoor mark in history, and now the world record of 3:47.01 is on his mind. Other contenders like Hobbs Kessler, George Mills, and Cooper Teare will try to hang on for the ride.
The Millrose Games is a World Athletics Indoor Tour Gold meet. With highest-level competition at the youth, high school, collegiate, club, and professional levels, there is truly something for everyone at the Millrose Games.
To learn more about the Millrose Games, check out their official website.
