by Larry Eder
Will Leer, Nate Brannen, at 2014 Wanamaker Mile,
photo from Will Leer’s FB page
FIVE WORLD LEADS: LEER SURPRISE WANAMAKER WINNER, B. LAGAT GETS US RECORD
NEW YORK (USA, Feb 15): The 107th edition of the oldest international indoor meet in the world, the NYRR Millrose Games saw that 33-year-old American record was broken by a 39-year-old Bernard Lagat with 4:54.74, also a world lead and fifth best performer ever indoors (in total 5 world leads were registered). Four more runners dipped under 5 minutes, second Cam Levins with Canadian record 4:55.35. It is also best 2000 m race in depth in indoor history as first time five runners went under 5 minutes. In the Wanamaker Mile Will Leer won in 3:52.47 over Lawi Lalang 3:52.88 and Nick Willis 3:53.02. Fourth Nate Brannen Canadian record 3:54.32 and in farewell race Allan Webb 11th 4:06.11. High school star Mary Cain who lives in nearby Bronxville, N.Y. won the Women Wanamaker mile in 4:27.73 ahead of Treniere Moser 4:28.86 and Canadian Nicole Sifuentes 4:28.97, lifetime bests for both. Ajee Wilson held off a hard-charging Jenna Westaway of Canada to win the women’s 800 meters in 2:01.81 to 2:01.89, indoor bests for both. Iceland teen star Anita Hinriksdottir was fourth in 2:02.66. Terrence Trammell capped his career at the Armory with a fourth victory in 7.57 over the
hurdles with Dominic Berger close second 7.57 PB and Decathlon star Ashton Eaton fourth in 7.67 (also 535 PB in pole vault). Long jump specialist Janay DeLoach Soukup is making a name for herself in the 60 m hurdles when she equaled the world lead in 7.91 PB ahead of Kristi Castlin 7.93, Brianna Theisen Eaton was 5th in 8.17 PB (also long jump PB 618). American Tori Bowie turned in a runner-up finish in the women’s 60 meters, crossing in 7.14 for the fastest time by an American this season with winner Michelle Lee Ahye of Trinidad clocking national record 7.13. After winning in Boston last week, Marvin Bracy came back to win in the 60 m with an American-leading time of 6.50 PB with D´Angelo Cherry 6.54 second and Jamaican Kimmari Roach third in 6.59 PB. Favorites Ryan Bailey and Keston Bledman false started. In the 300 m fast lifetime bests for Lalonde Gordon of Trinidad 32.47 and US Manteo Mitchell 32.59. In women 300 m Bahamian Shaunae Miller clocked world leading, national record and fourth best performer ever 36.10 ahead of Francena McCorory 36.50 also PB. French European U23 champion Pierre-Ambroise Bosse won the 1000 m in 2:17.63 WL ahead of Erik Sowinski 2:18.63 and world medalist Nick Symmonds 2:18.87. Kim Conley won the 3000 m in 8:48.35 PB with seven runners in total getting under 9 minutes. Lifetime bests for second Kenyan Betsy Saina 8:50.60, third Italian Margherita Magnani 8:51.81 and fourth Abbey D´Agostino 8:51.91. Olympian Maria Michta captured the National Championship in the women’s USA 1-mile Walk, crossing the line in an even 6:19.00 as Canadian Rachel Seaman set a national record, finishing first in 6:17.29. The Men’s USATF Championship Mile Walk race was won by Andreas Gustafsson of Sweden in a time of 5:34.45 with World champion Rob Heffernan second in 5:39.75. On the field, American Mark Hollis, who won the pole vault the last time it was contested at the Millrose Games in 2010, was victorious again 560 cm. Canadian Mike Mason cleared 230 in the high jump to win and equaled his PB. French European champion Eloyse Lesueur leaped to high quality 686 in the long jump. The U.S. also swept the weight throws with Gwendolyn Berry 23.86 WL and Thomas Freeman 22.22. With the help from USATF web report.
