by Larry EderNick Willis is a two time Olympic medalist. In 2008, in Beijing he took the silver medal in the 1,500m (moved up from bronze due to a doping violation by Rhashid Ramzi, and in 2016, Nick took the bronze, in an amazing run down the final straight. Nick Willis is the only New Zealander to win Olympic medals in two Olympics in the 1,500 meters.
Up until last night, Nick Willis had broken 4 minutes in the mile sixty two times.
Jeff Benjamin with Nick Willis, January 29, 2022, Millrose Games, photo by Jeff Benjamin
Last night, January 29, 2022, Nick Willis finished ninth in the WHOOP Millrose Men’s Mile, running 3:59.71.
Nick Willis made history last night.
He became the only human to break four minutes in the mile for 20 straight years. Last year, Nick broke the record of 18 years straight years, held by his countrymen, Sir John Walker, the 1976 Olympic gold medalist and first man to go under 3:50 in the mile, who broke 4 minutes for the mile each year from 1973-1990.
One of the classiest acts in the sport, Nick Willis has done something no one has come near Nick’s record.
What can you say about Nick Willis?
A two time Olympic medalist, and a three time Commonwealth medalist, plus bronze medalist at the World Indoor championships in 2016, Nick Willis has PBs ranging from 800m in 1:45.54, 1,500m in 3:29.66, Mile in 3:49.83, 3000m in 7:36.91 and 5,000m in 13:20.33.
Nick Willis has broke four minutes in the mile 63 times, as of January 29, 2022.
Big thanks to @JohnLegere and family! The $25k donation will go to great use. https://t.co/XnN5w2pswl
— Nick Willis (@nickwillis) January 30, 2022
What is Nick’s best talent?
In observing him in Olympics, and World Championships, this writer has noted that Nick Willis one of the few athletes who gets it. He knows how to get through the rounds, using just enough speed to get to the next round. By focusing his entire year on making the final, and not just making the championship team, Nick Willis, along with his coach/advisor Ron Warhurst, and his wife, Sierra Boucher.
On a press conference post Millrose, Nick has many things to say:
“The warm up was fun, the pre race with Hobbs was good…I will never say I am retiring…I could imagine working out 4 times a week, and a long run. I have not enjoyed my solo runs…I have to say, my next goal, if I am in shape at 40, I may try to go sub 4 then.”
Perhaps it is because Nick Willis has a real life. He coaches his son’s team, works with a close knit club (Very Nice Track Club), and his adult basketball league.
Last night, on Nick’s Instagram, he wrote the following:
“What’s next? In terms of racing, I have no idea, I’m for sure going to keep training with the VNTC crew, play in my monday night basketball league and coach my son’s team.”
