by Deji Ogeyingbo
Millrose Weekend Returns with Nuguse, Hocker, Grant and Kessler
For more than a century, the Millrose Games have occupied a space that no other indoor meet quite touches, and as the 118th edition arrives this weekend, the sense remains that this is a moment where rivalries sharpen and the indoor season begins to take real shape inside the charged atmosphere of The Armory in New York.
Millrose always demanded that athletes not drift through these races. Performances here tend to follow runners long after winter fades, primarily because Millrose rewards those willing to race boldly under pressure.
Nuguse, Kessler, Fisher and Kerr Lead the Men’s Show
The men’s program unfolds race by race, with each event pushing toward the closing statement of the Wanamaker Mile. That mile once again centers on Yared Nuguse, who arrives chasing a fourth consecutive Wanamaker title, a feat that would place him alone in the meet’s long memory and confirm his bond with this race that seems to reward his patience. Nuguse knows exactly what the Armory demands, having won here last year in 3:46.63, and he returns aware that nothing is given twice without being fought for again.
The challenge he faces is layered and serious, beginning with Hobbs Kessler, who enters Millrose carrying the glow of a performance that made tongues wag. His 2000m world record in Boston revealed an athlete comfortable unleashing his speed deep into fatigue, a skill that becomes invaluable when the Wanamaker Mile compresses into decisions made over the final laps. Kessler no longer arrives as a hopeful contender. He arrives as someone ready to impose himself.
Adding further tension is Cameron Myers, whose recent closing speed over 3000 meters hinted at an engine capable of responding to any surge, and Andrew Coscoran, whose experience and tactical sense make him a factor in any race shaped by patience rather than raw pace.
Before the mile even comes into view, the men’s two-mile offers a race that could easily become the performance of the night, given a field that feels closer to a championship final than a seasonal indoor meeting. Josh Kerr, Grant Fisher, and Cole Hocker headline a race that blends speed, endurance, and tactical awareness in equal measure, while Jake Wightman and George Beamish ensure that no single approach will go unanswered. Younger talents like Graham Blanks add fearlessness to a field already brimming with intent, creating the conditions for a race that may resist prediction until the final straight.
Elsewhere, the men’s 60m will see the duo of Ackeem Blake and Bryan Levell lead the pack, with no major runner from the US on showcase, the stars and stripes will be represented by two 21-year-old talents whose rivalry has already been forged on the biggest collegiate stages. Jordan Anthony and T’Mars McCallum have pushed each other through the SEC and NCAA circuit, and now, that familiar duel moves onto a bigger stage, as they step out of the collegiate ranks and into a field stacked with established professionals.
The men’s 800 meters continues the theme of meaningful competition, with Donavan Brazier, Bryce Hoppel, Cian McPhillips, Mohamed Attaoui, and Ben Pattison lining up in a race that prioritizes racing instinct over clock watching, a combination that has historically thrived under Millrose conditions.
Hiltz, and Johnson Headline the women’s races
At the center of the women’s event in Millrose stands the women’s Wanamaker Mile, where Nikki Hiltz returns with a chance to carve out a place few woman have claimed, as a victory here would announce to the world, once again that Nikki Hiltz is ready for 2026! Their familiarity with the Armory, paired with their ability to remain calm as races tighten, makes them a presence commanding before the gun ever fires.
Standing alongside her is a field rich with momentum, led by Dorcus Ewoi and Sinclaire Johnson, both carrying record credentials and recent performances that suggest they are ready to force the race rather than wait for it. Heather MacLean enters as one of the fastest women ever indoors, bringing efficiency and belief that often go unnoticed until they reshape the outcome.
The women’s 3000m reignites a rivalry that has already captured the attention of the sport, as Doris Lemngole and Jane Hedengren meet again with unfinished business following their NCAA cross country meeting. Their presence underscores how Millrose bridges generations, offering collegiate athletes a stage where pressure mirrors the professional ranks.
In the women’s 600m, the narrative centers on Ajee’ Wilson, whose history at The Armory reads like tradition, while emerging talents such as Roisin Willis and Juliette Whittaker enter with a lot of confidence and a readiness to test themselves in an environment that the world would be watching. (Editor’s note: Roisin Willis set a new AR of 1:57.97 in a wonderous battle with Isobel Boffey, where Boffey took 3 seconds off her previous PB with 1:57.43.
Millrose has always been about more than results as performances travel. The history behind the race undoubtedly projects onto the runners, especially the winners, and you can draw a correlation to how they go on to compete for the rest of their season.
