Defending Champion Ollie Hoare Headlines Men’s Wanamaker Mile Against Cole Hocker At The Millrose Games On February 11
Press Release
January 11, 2023
The 115th Millrose Games will take place on Saturday, February 11th, exactly one month from today, at the Nike Track & Field Center at The Armory. As always, the world’s most historic indoor track & field event will conclude with the running of the Rudin Men’s Wanamaker Mile, which will feature defending champion Ollie Hoare looking to win the trophy for a second consecutive year.
Photo by Ross Dettman
The Millrose Games is extremely honored that the Rudin Family will be the sponsor of the Wanamaker Miles. Over the past one hundred years, the Rudin Family has become one of New York City’s largest private real estate companies and a generous supporter of running. Jack and Lewis Rudin were the first sponsors of the TCS New York City Marathon, and their children and grandchildren have carried on the legacy, supporting the sport throughout the five boroughs.
“The Rudin family is honored to sponsor the men’s Wanamaker Mile, in addition to the women’s race, and welcome athletes from around the world to New York to participate in the sport’s most competitive mile in the United States,” said Bill Rudin, Co-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Rudin. “As a founding sponsor of the New York City Marathon, as well as previous Millrose Games events, running is extremely special to our family and this terrific city. We are looking forward to cheering on the athletes whose incredible talent will be on display next month at The Armory.”
Hoare set the indoor Australian record in the process of winning the 2022 Wanamaker Mile in 3:50.83, one of four national records that he currently holds. Outdoors, he won the 1500m Gold
Medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, setting the meet record in that event as well. Hoare was an Olympic finalist in Tokyo, as well as an NCAA Champion and eight-time All-American at the University of Wisconsin.
“I’m thrilled to be able to come back and defend my Wanamaker title,” said Hoare. “It will be great to be out there competing at one of my favorite mile races in the world.”
Many of the world’s top milers will be eager for the chance to knock Hoare off the throne.
• Cole Hocker is the 2021 U.S. Olympic Trials 1500m Champion, and he placed sixth in the
Olympic Final. He is the reigning National Champion in the indoor 1500m and 3000m, and a former three-time NCAA Champion.
• Mario Garcia Romo placed fourth in the 1500m at last year’s outdoor World Championship final. He is the defending Spanish Champion in the event, as well as an NCAA Champion and the Bronze Medalist at the European Championships.
• Yared Nuguse was the fastest American over 1500m in 2022, and he qualified for the Tokyo Olympics.
• Eliud Kipsang of Kenya and the University of Alabama holds the NCAA Record in the 1500m with his best time of 3:33.74.
• Johnny Gregorek sports a personal best of 3:49.98 in the mile, and he reached the final at the 2017 World Championships.
• Sam Tanner is a three-time National Champion for New Zealand, and he placed sixth in the 1500m at the Commonwealth Games.
• Josh Thompson was ranked #1 in the US for 1500m in 2022 by Track and Field News.
Also in the field is World Championships semi-finalist Neil Gourley of Great Britain, 3:50 miler
Sam Prakel, and two-time U.S. Champion Drew Hunter. The winner of the mile at the Dr. Sander Invitational Columbia Challenge on Saturday, January 28th will also be guaranteed a spot on the starting line, adding to the intrigue.
“This year’s Rudin Men’s Wanamaker Mile field truly represents the entire world, with many of the greatest milers from the USA, Spain, Australia, Kenya, and New Zealand carrying on this great mile tradition at the Millrose Games!” said Ray Flynn, Millrose Games Meet Director.
As always, the Millrose Games will feature the absolute best athletes in the sport, including dozens of Olympians and world champions. Some of the big names already announced include Bryce Hoppel, Clayton Murphy, Laura Muir, Christian Coleman, Noah Lyles, Alicia Monson, Konstanze Klosterhalfen, Abby Steiner, Jenna Prandini, Geordie Beamish, Cooper Teare, Josh Kerr, Katie Moon, Sandi Morris, Katerina Stefanidi, Ryan Crouser, and Joe Kovacs, with many more still to come.
The Millrose Games is a World Athletics Indoor Tour Gold meet. With the highest-level
competition at the youth, high school, collegiate, club, and professional levels, there is truly something for everyone at the Millrose Games.