News09 Oct 2011


Simpson to headline Millrose women's 1500m

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Jennifer Barringer Simpson of United States celebrating her gold medal in the women's 1500 metres final (© Getty Images)

World 1500m champion Jenny Simpson will headline the women's 1500m at the 105th edition of the Millrose Games on Saturday 11 February 2012 in New York City.


Simpson will top the field in the first-ever Wamamaker Metric Mile for Women at this venerable U.S. indoor meeting, whose signature feature for years has been the men's Wanamaker Mile. In February the event will move from its long-time home at New York's Madison Square Garden to the New Balance Track & Field Center at the Armory. Both the men's and women's races will be sponsored by the New York Road Runners.


"I am really looking forward to coming to New York for the first ever Women's Wanamaker Metric Mile in February," said Simpson, who struck gold in Daegu early last month. "It will be the highlight of my indoor season and at one of my favorite running venues. It's great that the New York Road Runners has gotten behind this meet."


Simpson is familiar with winning in New York City. Last month she captured the Fifth Avenue Mile and earlier this year won the mile event at the New Balance Games at the Armory.


"We want to announce that the Millrose Games at the Armory will be an outstanding meet that will attract the world's great track & field athletes," said Millrose Games Meet Director Ray Flynn. "The first-ever New York Road Runners Wanamaker Metric Mile for Women will help to achieve that. Putting the Armory and the Millrose Games' name, history, and overall excitement with the New York Road Runners sponsorship will be a great combination."


The men's one mile race started in 1908 and in 1926 was named after the head of the Wanamaker's Department Store in New York City, Rodman Wanamaker. Traditionally it's been the most-anticipated event of the Millrose Games, positioned as the night's closing race. In 2010, USA Olympian Bernard Lagat won an unprecedented eighth Wanamaker Mile surpassing Eamonn Coghlan whose seven titles earned him the nickname "Chairman of the Boards".


The Millrose Games will be the highlight of the season at the Armory, which hosts more than 100 meets and 125,000 athletes annually. Traditionally held on a Friday night, the meet will move to Saturday in 2012 to allow for a day session with high school, collegiate and masters events. The evening session will feature elite world class athletes and Olympic hopefuls from around the world.


Organisers for the IAAF


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