WTF: 10 Thoughts on a Remarkable World Record Millrose Games: Fisher, Nuguse, Hocker, Kessler, Hoey Deliver

The 2025 Millrose Games was one of the wildest and most memorable in history. In the 116 previous editions of the famed meet, a grand total of three world records had been set. Today, two world records were broken — both by American men in distance races vs other American men that came down to the wire. In the 3000, Grant Fisher ran 7:22.91 to break Lamecha Girma’s 7:23.81 WR but Fisher had to dig deep as Olympic 1500 champ Cole Hocker also dipped under Girma’s old mark with a 7:23.14 second place finish. Then in the Wanamaker Mile at the end of the meet, Yared Nuguse (3:46.63) and Hobbs Kessler (3:46.90) became the first two men to break 3:47 in the indoor mile as Yomif Kejelcha’s 3:47.01 world record became toast.

There also was a third American mid-d record set in the meet as Josh Hoey led from gun to tape in the 800 meters and held off Bryce Hoppel as both men broke Donavan Brazier’s old AR of 1:44.21. Hoey ran 1:43.90 to move to #3 in world history. *Full Results

If you missed the races, replays of the mile and 3k are below, with full race replays of the biggest races available here. 

Below are our 10 thoughts on a truly remarkable Millrose Games.

(Need a VPN to watch the video below? Click here)

1. It’s a golden era of men’s American distance running

Yared Nuguse 3:46.63 mile world record

The American men Cole Hocker, Yared Nuguse, and Grant Fisher had an amazing Olympics, picking up four medals. Those three did not rest on their laurels as Fisher and Nuguse both set  world records on Saturday, Hocker dipped under the old world record, and so did Hobbs Kessler, who would have medalled in the 1500 at the Olympics if it wasn’t for two Americans being ahead of him. For good measure, Bryce Hoppel, who was 4th at the Olympics and broke the American record at 800, dipped under the old American record at Millrose, but the only problem was he was beaten by Josh Hoey, who is the athlete having the biggest breakout year after running 1:43 last year. When the world’s best focus on an event and compete head-to-head, great things can happen, even if achieving four world record performances is truly extraordinary.

–WEJO

2. Fisher likely will have 2 WRs by the end of next week

Grant Fisher 7:22.91 3000m world record over Cole Hocker (Kevin Morris photo)

Fisher is running the 5,000m at BU, where Kenenisa Bekele’s 12:49.60 world record could be under assault (Fisher ran 12:51.84 last year at BU).

-WEJO

3. Could Yared’s record last less than a week?

Jakob Ingebrigtsen, the fastest man still competing in the 1500 and mile, is targeting the mile world record in Lievin, France, on Thursday night. Nuguse’s run today converts to 3:29.80 for 1500m, significantly faster than Ingebrigtsen’s 1500m indoor world record of 3:30.60. FYI Jakob’s 1500 record converts to 3:47.49 according to the LetsRun 1.0802 mile/1500 conversion factor, which is .01 slower than 18-year-old Cam Myers ran today in 3rd place.

Fisher’s record should last longer as Lievin is the only non-championship race Jakob is scheduled to run this indoor season.

–WEJO

4. Is Jakob’s era in the 1500 over? Is this the Cole Hocker era of the 1500?

Cole Hocker had 7:26 written down as a best-case scenario before the race. He completely obliterated that and in the process brought Grant Fisher to the world record. With how competitive Cole is, I was wondering if he’d be upset with the outcome despite the ridiculously fast time or have any second thoughts. The move at 600 was one he had played out in his head, and he thought it would surprise Grant and take him off-guard.  He was not regretting the move at all, and in fact said he “unlocked something” by making the move he did that he’d never done in the past which is “pretty scary.” 

Yes, this should be absolutely terrifying to Jakob Ingebrigtsen. Cole Hocker now has 7:23 strength. We know Cole Hocker can close a 3:34 1500 in an ungodly 12.20 final 100m like we saw at the 2021 USA Trials.

Hocker called today’s run a “cornerstone race” for him, and said it gives him the confidence to take a race early. Cole ended our chat by declaring “I’m even better than I was last year.” That is not good for anyone hoping to take the 1500m crown away for an athlete with seemingly no holes in his primary distance.

–THOUGHTSLEADER

5, Grant Fisher’s Kick and Speed Is Now a Legit Weapon

Grant Fisher for most of his career has been the guy who has to be in front to win. When it came to Woody Kincaid, it seemed to be very much the case. That old Grant Fisher seems long gone after last year’s finishes saw him outkick the likes of Hagos Gebrhiwet, Yomif Kejelcha, Jacob Kiplimo and Selemon Barega. While Berihu Aregawi, with his remarkable outdoor PB of  around a second faster than Fisher’s shiny new one, is still a formidable competitor, it feels like Fisher has now distanced himself from everyone else. Tactically, he was outstanding in Paris as well, which could mean an upgrade in medals if he can outfox Aregawi. Grant Fisher 10,000m favorite? What would’ve been unthinkable last July is now very much the case.

For the record, last year Fisher ran 8:03.62 for 2 miles at Millrose, and Hocker ran 8:05.70, which according to John Kellogg’s 1.0804 conversion equates to 7:27.63 and 7:29.56 for 3000, so they’ve made a nice improvement in the last year (although to be fair there is a new track at Millrose this year).

–THOUGHTSLEADER

6. Yared Nuguse and Hobbs Kessler Both Break World Records, But Somehow Lose Ground?

Yared Nuguse over Hobbs Kessler for indoor mile world record (Kevin Morris photo)

It’s a wild statement: I feel significantly worse about both Yared Nuguse’s and Hobbs Kessler’s long-term outlook for 1500 gold after both dipped under the indoor mile world record. How is it possible, and is it fair? It’s probably not fair—Yared ran a commanding, composed race to set the record AND win, with Hobbs Kessler gamely following every move. Yared seemed to strategically let the pace calm down after pacemaker Abe Alvarado got the field out at more of a 3:45 tempo. He held Kessler at bay in the last lap and had enough to hold on in the last 100 with another charge coming.

Kessler, meanwhile, completely silenced any doubts from last week’s 3K, where he was notably hard on himself. Things are definitely clicking. But it feels like Hocker took a massive step today, whereas Nuguse and Kessler more validated their Paris results. Kessler has a big new mile PB that is in line with his 1500 in Paris. Nuguse again backed up that he can win multiple ways. But he has, of course, run under 3:44 outdoors, so we knew he was this good. Both guys did nothing wrong and ran very well. It just feels like we somehow need more. They both could show us that soon. Yared may run a 3K in two weeks, though Yared and Ritz were noncommittal. Kessler, meanwhile, will do the 1500-3000 double at USAs. He admitted that’s a scary idea to him, but maybe it’s exactly what he needs to keep pushing himself to close the gap on Hocker and Nuguse.

If you think this take is too harsh, please let me remind you that there are currently two guys in the NCAA who have run 3:48 in the indoor mile this year (Gary Martin ran a fantastic 3:48.82 in this race) and neither of those guys has ever come close to winning an NCAA track title.

–THOUGHTSLEADER

7. Was it the track, the $25,000 world record bonuses, bicarb?

We believe the last time an American male broke a distance world record in a track event was Dick Buerkle nearly 50 years ago, in 1978, in the indoor mile. Yet we saw two world records go down in the span of less than 70 minutes in two thrilling races where the second place American also went under the old record.

In some ways, the second record going down diminishes the significance of the first record being broken, as it is no longer as unique. Add on top of that a second athlete in each race breaking the old record.

Superspikes have definitely changed the game recently, more distance athletes are using sodium bicarb, and the other big change this year was the Millrose track was resurfaced. At the time, we said the new Mondo surface was “intended to enhance the speeds on the famous oval.” How much of a difference did a new track surface make? Who knows, but the Millrose organizers should be commended for putting on an amazing meet. When the best in the world compete head-to-head, you can expect amazing things even if today vastly exceeded expectations.

–WEJO

8. Cameron Myers Arrived Very Quickly, and Could Get a Senior Medal Soon

After a year with some modest PBs in 2024, Cameron Myers is a completely different athlete in 2025. The 18-year-old Aussie remarkably broke 3:50, 3:49, and 3:48 for the first time in one fell swoop, as he was third in 3:47.48. Finishing top three arguably could be even more impressive, and Cam himself couldn’t decide which was more of a surprise to him. He took down some huge names today and rockets from a guy that maybe would be a dark horse to make a final to nearing dark horse medal territory. For a guy who just missed out on selection for the Aussie team last year and was upset in the World Juniors, it’s a huge breakthrough Myers is experiencing. Most exciting for fans is that, given the closer travel that Australia offers, Cam said he is giving serious consideration to racing at World Indoors in China. With most top names holding out, and Jakob uncertain, Myers might land some serious hardware soon if he opts in.

–THOUGHTSLEADER

9. It’s Comeback Season for Runner-Ups Josette Andrews and Heather MacLean

Georgia Bell Wins Mile (Kevin Morris photo)

While Shelby Houlihan’s comeback is certainly getting the most attention, two runners at Millrose on the women’s side stood out and showed they will be major factors. Heather MacLean took down Nikki Hiltz in a tactical race and came a whisker away from holding off Georgia Bell for the Wanamaker Mile trophy. In the 3K, Whittni Morgan came over the top and took down Josette Andrews after a bold move by Andrews with 400 to go. Still, with Andrews keeping a low profile coming into the meet, it was hard not to be impressed by where she is. Last year, both athletes dealt with injuries and disappointment at the Trials. Now, both look like they are in a strong position to make a team.

MacLean will race at USAs and would contest World Indoors if she makes it. Andrews’ next move might be a 5K qualifier at BU, the event which she indicates she will be going all-in on outdoors. Andrews also revealed she ran a 4:26 cutdown mile at Boulder last week. She is fit. Special shout-outs to Bell, who came back nicely after a difficult 3K (she says it’s not her event!) and Morgan, who backed up a sub-14:50 performance at BU with an even better 3K performance. Morgan in particular showed what happens when you give an injury-prone athlete a run of good health.

10. Bryce Hoppel Officially Has Company in the 800 with Josh Hoey

Josh Hoey Breaks Donavan Brazier’s American Record at 800m (Kevin Morris photo)

Josh Hoey has been tearing it up in 2025 and the Millrose 800 was no exception with a 1:43.90 to take down the American record to go with his American record he set earlier this year at 1,000. While unfortunately drug testing kept me from getting to catch up with him, I’m hoping that for the cynics that is a positive in this story. I caught up with Bryce Hoppel who set a PB with 1:44.19. He took the loss fully in stride and was happy with his buildup into the race. He pointed out Hoey has a headstart on preparation and he’s just not there yet to his 1:41 self from last summer. Next up for Hoppel will be USAs, though it seems the lean is to skip defending his world indoor title in China due to the travel required.

The showdown in Staten Island should be another major test for Hoey as he latched onto the pacer and now will have to show off his tactical acumen vs. an indoor master in Hoppel. Hoey has passed every test so far and showed more remarkable fitness today, so we have a ton to look forward to at USAs and at Worlds in China, where he will be one of the favorite as it stands with a who’s who of dark horse 800m guys in Eliott Crestan, Slimane Moula, Noah Kibet, and others running strongly so far.

High School Records Go Down: Cooper Lutkenhaus (Sophomore) 1:46.86 Boys HS 800 Record, Sadie Engelhardt Breaks Mary Cain’s HS record in mile

Our top 10 thoughts were on the pros and we almost overlooked two high school record performances highlighted on the forums. Here’s an interesting thread: Ranking the 2025 Millrose Performances  The thread starter’s #1 performer wasn’t Cole Hocker or Yared Nuguse but 18-year-old Cam Myers. And his #2 performer is Cooper Lutkenhaus, who ran 1:46.86 to break Josh Hoey’s previous American high school record of 1:47.67 by nearly a second. And he’s only a high school sophomore. Pretty nuts. Quincy Wilson won a gold medal at the Olympics as a high school sophomore last year, so the bar has been raised.

And speaking of high schooler, Sadie Engelhardt broke Mary Cain’s high school record in the mile by running 4:27.97 to break Mary Cain’s previous record of 4:28.25 (althought Cain did run 4:24.11 as a pro her senior year of high school). Discussion: Best Non-Winner of Millrose 2025

More threads:  Reality Check for Americans: These Indoor WRs are meaningless
*Where does Hocker vs Fisher today rank on all-time best list of US distance races?
*Discussion: Best Non-Winner of Millrose 2025

Wejo is Weldon Johnson, one of the co-founders of LetsRun.com, who was a two-time national team member for Team USA. THOUGHTSLEADER is Noah Jampol, and the 2024 LetsRun.com poster of the year.