Clayton Murphy, Donavan Brazier, Michael Saruni to Square Off at NYRR Millrose Games 800
by NYRR Millrose games
November 13, 2018
NEW YORK, November 13, 2018 – The men’s 800 meter event in the 112th NYRR Millrose Games will include the top middle distance runners in the world including the Olympic bronze medalist, the two fastest runners in NCAA history, and the reigning NCAA champion, The Armory Foundation announced today.
Headlining the 800m for the February 9th NYRR Millrose Games will be 2016 Olympic bronze medalist Clayton Murphy. While Murphy struggled with injuries following his breakthrough medal performance in Rio, he announced his return to form this past summer in London with a time of 1:43.12, his second fastest ever. Now fully healthy, the American looks to be considered the favorite for this race.
“The Millrose Games is really the most prestigious indoor meet in the world,” Murphy said. “It is always fun to compete there in front of a packed house. I’m really looking forward to claiming my first Millrose victory on February 9th.”
Murphy will have plenty of competition, including from Michael Saruni, the former standout at UTEP. Saruni ran an NCAA record of 1:43.25 in April, following his victory at the NCAA Indoor Championships. Now in his first season as a professional runner, the Kenyan athlete hopes to take the next leap forward to become one of the best in the world, and he will have the chance to do just that at Millrose.
Donavan Brazier (photoby John Nepolitan)
Three top Americans will look to challenge including Donavan Brazier, the former NCAA record holder. He ran a 1:43.55 as a freshman at Texas A&M in 2016, shattering Jim Ryun’s mark that stood for 50 years. Brazier has flashed his potential on numerous occasions, including when he finished second at Millrose in 2018.
Isaiah Harris, the 2018 NCAA Champion, is another athlete looking to make noise in his first season as a pro. The champion from Penn State knocked off Saruni during the NCAA Outdoor Championships for the win. Harris placed second at the USATF Outdoor Championships in consecutive years and represented the United States in the 2017 World Championships. Erik Sowinski, the experienced veteran and American record holder in the indoor 600m, will also be a strong contender.
The men’s 800m is one of many highly anticipated events during the 112th NYRR Millrose Games, the most historic indoor track & field meet in the world. The men’s shot put will feature Olympic gold and silver medalists Ryan Crouser and Joe Kovacs respectively throwing from the center of the track. The night’s signature events will be the prestigious NYRR Men’s and Women’s Wanamaker Mile.
Entry announcements will continue leading up to the February 9th event and high school and youth qualifiers will be determined during the January 9th NYRR Millrose Games Trials at The Armory.
The NYRR Millrose Games is just around the corner. For more information and to purchase tickets to the 112th NYRR Millrose Games please go towww.nyrrmillrosegames.org.
Follow The Armory on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @armorynyc, or go to ArmoryTrack.com or Armory.NYC.
Discuss this here on LetsRun: Clayton Murphy, Donavan Brazier & Michael Saruni Squaring off at Millrose 2019- Will 1 of Gray’s American record fall?
About the NYRR Millrose Games
With a storied history that spans more than a century, the NYRR Millrose Games is one of track and field’s most prestigious and enduring annual events. A New York City sports staple, the meet moved to the New Balance Track & Field Center at The Armory in Washington Heights in 2012 after having called Madison Square Garden home from1914 to 2011. The Games—established by employees of Wanamaker’s Department Store—feature track and field’s most prolific male and female stars as well as collegiate, high school, club and youth competitors. More than 200 athletes share the distinction of being both Millrose and Olympic champions. In November of 2013, New York Road Runners became the title sponsor of the NYRR Millrose Games, which is owned by The Armory Foundation. The NYRR Millrose Games is a USATF television series event and The Armory Foundation appreciates the support of USA Track and Field.
About The Armory Foundation
The Armory is a New York City non-profit institution, with the mission of “Keeping Kids on Track.” Each season The Armory — the proud home of the NYRR Millrose Games — hosts more than 100 track & field meets and welcomes more than 220,000 athlete visits. Among its many youth sports and educational programs, including the acclaimed Armory College Prep program, The Armory runs the leading collegiate indoor track meet with the Dr. Sander Invitational, and hosts the largest high school indoor track meets with this year’s 25th Hispanic Games, The New Balance Games, and the New Balance Nationals Indoors. The Armory also runs the NewYork – Presbyterian ColumbiaDoctors Indoor Marathon presented by New York Road Runners, which is the world’s largest indoor marathon relay. The Armory is also the home to the National Track & Field Hall of Fame and dozens of very large education-focused events. For more: Please visit Armory.NYC and ArmoryTrack.com.
Discuss this here on LetsRun: Clayton Murphy, Donavan Brazier & Michael Saruni Squaring off at Millrose 2019- Will 1 of Gray’s American record fall?