INDIANAPOLIS - Two-time Olympic medalist Bernard Lagat will attempt to tie the Wanamaker Mile win record owned by legendary Irish great Eamonn Coghlan when he competes January 30 at the 102nd Millrose Games at Madison Square Garden in New York City, organizers announced Thursday.
The Millrose Games in New York is the first event of USA Track & Field's 2009 Indoor Visa Championship Series. The event will be televised live on ESPN2 from 7-8:30 p.m., and on January 31 from 1:30-2:30 p.m. on NBC (all times Eastern).
The 2007 World Outdoor 1,500m and 5,000m champion, Lagat grabbed the lead during the 2008 Wanamaker Mile with a lap and a half to go from Australia's Craig Mottram and held on to win in 3 minutes 57.51 seconds. His victory tied him with National Track & Field Hall of Famer Glenn Cunningham, who also owns six Wanamaker titles. Lagat is only one shy of the all-time record of seven victories by Coghlan. For his efforts at last year's Millrose Games, Lagat was named the Team USA Athlete of the Meet, presented by Visa.
Lagat will be challenged by New Zealand's Nick Willis, the 2008 Olympic 1,500m bronze medalist, whose mile personal best of 3:50.66 suggests Lagat will have his hands full on January 30. Willis placed third at last year's Wanamaker Mile, crossing the finish line in 3:58.14.
Additional lineups for the 102nd Millrose Games will be announced in coming weeks.
Tickets for the 2009 Millrose Games are now available at Ticketmaster (call 212-307-7171, visit or at Ticketmaster outlets); at the Madison Square Garden box office or on-line at www.Millrose-Games.com. USATF welcomes you to pay with your Visa.
For more information on the 2009 USATF Visa Championship Series,USATF.org.
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