NEW YORK, February 9, 2019 – Yomif Kejelcha of Ethiopia captured the NYRR Wanamaker Mile Saturday night, finishing in 3:48.46 that was one one-hundredth second off the world indoor record during the112th NYRR Millrose Games at The Armory in Washington Heights
The Nike Oregon Project runner came as close as one can to breaking Hicham El Guerrouj of Morocco’s 3:48.45 world indoor mark set in 1997.
“As soon as I finished and crossed the line, I looked up at the scoreboard and I knew I hadn’t broken the record,” Kejelcha said through an interpreter. “I’m very happy that I came very close and I can always try again. I will try again soon.”
The boisterous roars from a packed house at The Armory New Balance Track & Field Center did all it could to nearly push Kejelcha across in world record time.
“I could sense all the support,” Kejelcha said. “I thank them and love them.”
Edward Cheserek, the fastest indoor miler in 2018, finished second with a 3:53.29 while Clayton Murphy was on his heels at 3:53.30.
Germany’s Konstanze Klosterhalfen dominated the Women’s NYRR Wanamaker Mile from start to finish en route to the winner’s circle. She finished with a 4:19.98 ahead of runner-up and defending champion Colleen Quigley’s 4:22.86.
“I didn’t have a time picked out to run,” said Klosterhalfen, whose performance earned her the German indoor record. “I just wanted to run fast.”
Olympian Ajee’ Wilson entered Saturday owner of the American 800m outdoor record. When she left The Armory Saturday night she also had the American 800m indoor record. Wilson finished with a 1.58.60 to surpass Nicole Teter’s 1:58.71 mark set in 2002 to win the Jack & Lewis Rudin Women’s 800m.
Wilson, an 8-time U.S. champion, said afterward that achieving records never get old “but it’s not getting easier. I definitely had to work for that one.”
Kejelchar’s Nike Oregon Project teammate Donavan Brazier turned in an American indoor record performance in the Mel Sheppard Men’s 800m with a 1:44.41, bettering Johnny Gray’s 1992 mark of 1:45.00.Michael Saruni won the Men’s 800m with a 1:43.98 to set the Kenya indoor record and defeat Brazier in one of the night’s closest races.
Olympic shot put gold medalist Ryan Crouser didn’t disappoint the fans, winning the Whole Foods Men’s Shot put with a Millrose Games record 73 feet, 3.25 inches throw. Crouser’s throw is the fourth longest throw ever indoors. The world record belongs to American Randy Barnes with a 74-4 ¼ throw in 1989. Olympic silver medalist Joe Kovacs’ turned in a best 68-5 ¼.
Jessica O’Connell set the Canadian national women’s 3,000 record in the Fred Lebow Invitational. O’Connell’s 8:46.50 placed her third behind the American duo of Alicia Monson (8:45.97) and Rachel Schneider(8:46.44).
For NYRR Millrose Games complete results and more information please click www.nyrrmillrosegames.org.
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About the NYRR Millrose Games
