Emma Coburn, Aisha Praught-Leer Return for Super Race II in NYRR Millrose Women’s 3,000m

THEY’RE BACK:  2018 champion Aisha Praught-Leer and runner-up Emma Coburn return to The Armory to run in the NYRR Millrose Games  Women’s 3,000m. They’ll also have elite company to challenge them. Photo by Ross Dettman

NEW YORK, January 15, 2019 – Track & Field superstars Aisha Praught-Leer and Emma Coburn, who last year thrilled track & field fans with a memorable photo finish, will reunite in the Women’s 3,000m during the 112^th NYRR Millrose Games on Saturday February 9^th at The Armory in Washington Heights, confirmed the Armory Foundation.

 Praught-Leer and Coburn, training partners and the top two finishers in this NYRR Millrose Games event last year, return to The Armory’s New Balance Track and Field Center to do battle once again against a highly-competitive field.

“Competing at the Millrose Games is always a priority for me and I love it” Coburn said. “This year will be my fourth time racing at Millrose and I am looking forward to the great competition and special energy from the spectators. Last year’s race was a thrill and I hope to be part of another competitive race in 2019.”

Coburn is best known for her 3,000m steeplechase prowess. She pulled a stunning upset to win the gold medal at the 2017 World Championships, making her the only American to accomplish that feat. Coburn also has won an Olympic bronze medal and seven USATF championships over the barriers, and she is an accomplished flat runner as well.

Jamaica’s Praught-Leer was victorious at Millrose in 2018, as she defeated Coburn and Dominique Scott in a thrilling blanket finish where the three athletes were separated by a mere 0.08 seconds. Praught-Leer, who trains with Coburn in Boulder, Colorado, complemented her stellar career by winning gold in the steeplechase during the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Other athletes in the field include current and former NCAA standouts Weini Kelati and Elinor Purrier.

The University of New Mexico’s Kelati is a four-time All-American, and she finished second at the NCAA Cross Country Championships in November. Purrier, a 10-time All-American, won the mile at the 2018 NCAA Indoor Championships while representing the University of New Hampshire before beginning her professional career by signing with New Balance.

Also confirmed are Stephanie Garcia, a two-time World Championship qualifier in the steeplechase, and Lauren Paquette, a silver medalist in the 5,000m at the NACAC Championships.

The women’s 3,000m is one of many world class track & field events on center stage during the 112^th NYRR Millrose Games, the most historic indoor meet. The men’s shot put will feature Olympic gold and silver medalists Ryan Crouser and Joe Kovacs throwing from the center of the track. Top athletes who have been announced in other events include Edward Cheserek, Nick Willis. Clayton Murphy, Donavan Brazier, Ajeé Wilson, Natoya Goule, Torie Bowie, English Gardner, Deajah Stevens, Nia Ali, Morgan McDonald, Grant Fisher, Hassan Mead and Pat Tiernan. The night’s signature events will be the prestigious NYRR Men’s and Women’s Wanamaker Mile.