Ray Flynn Shares His Top Ten Races to Watch For at the 118th Millrose Games

After months of anticipation, the 118th Millrose Games are finally here. The latest installment of this iconic event will take place this Sunday, February 1st at the Nike Track & Field Center at The Armory

The elite fields for the Millrose Games look stellar once again, and the man responsible for assembling this collection of talent is Meet Director Ray Flynn. Ray is the former Irish national record holder in the mile, and he broke the four minute barrier 89 times in his storied career.

Ray is also the founder of Flynn Sports Management, one of the largest agencies in track and field. He shares the ten events he is most excited to watch on Sunday:

1- World Indoor Champion Devynne Charlton first broke the 60m hurdles world record at the Millrose Games two years ago, can she do it again? She will have to be in top form against two-time World Champion Danielle Williams, who won in Boston last weekend.

2- The top two distance runners in the NCAA, Doris Lemngole and Jane Hedengren, will renew their budding rivalry in the Burgess Family Foundation Women’s 3000m.

3- Dylan Beard has won the Men’s 60m hurdles in back-to-back years. Can he make it three in a row against reigning World Champion Cordell Tinch?

4- High school phenom Cooper Lutkenhaus opened his season in style with a win at the Dr. Sander Scorcher. He now looks to take down a world-class field in the Nike Men’s 600m that includes Olympian Isaiah Jewett.

5- Elle St. Pierre is looking for the fourth win of her career in the NYRR Women’s Wanamaker Mile. She will have to contend with Olympic silver medalist Jess Hull, World silver medalist Dorcus Ewoi, and a whole fleet of other top American middle distance runners. We could be on record watch once again.

6- The Burgess Family Foundation Men’s 800m could be one of the most wide-open events of the day. Athletes to watch include reigning US Champion and former world champ Donavan Brazier, American record holder Bryce Hoppel, and Irish star Cian McPhillips, who just won in Boston as well.

7- The High School Boys’ 400m is headlined by another sensation, Olympic gold medalist Quincy Wilson. Can he lower his own record of 45.66?

8- Sage Hurta-Klecker and Addy Wiley may have their eyes on the American Record in the Citius Mag Women’s 1000m, but the athlete to beat appears to be Olympic silver medalist Tsige Duguma of Ethiopia.

9- In the final event of the day, Olympic bronze medalist Yared Nuguse goes for a historic fourth consecutive victory in the NYRR Men’s Wanamaker Mile. This one may be his toughest test yet, as he will have to defeat newly minted 2000m world record holder Hobbs Kessler, as well as Cameron Myers who is fresh off an Australian record in the 3000m. Could yet another record fall?

Hobbs Kessler – Photo: Victah Sailer 

10- The Burgess Family Foundation Men’s 2 Mile may be the deepest field ever assembled at the Millrose Games, featuring four men who have won Olympic or World Championship gold medals. With Cole Hocker, Grant Fisher, Josh Kerr, Jake Wightman, George Beamish and more slated to compete, this race absolutely oozes talent. It will very likely take a world record to triumph in a field of this caliber.

More details about the sold-out Millrose Games can be found at https://www.millrosegames.org/. Be sure to tune into NBC from 4-6pm EST to catch all of the action live!

About The Armory

The Armory Foundation is a New York City non-profit institution, with the mission of “Keeping Everyone on Track.” Each season, The Armory – the proud home of the Nike Track & Field Center – produces the Millrose Games, hosts more than 100 track and field meets, and welcomes more than 300,000 visits. Among its many youth sports and educational programs, including the acclaimed Armory College Prep program, The Armory runs the leading collegiate indoor track meets with the Dr. Sander Scorcher and the HBCU Showcase presented by Nike.

Additionally, The Armory hosts the largest high school indoor track meets with the Apple Bank Hispanic Games, the JAMBAR Coaches Hall of Fame Invitational, the Refuel with Chocolate Milk Officials’ Hall of Fame Invitational, and the U.S. Marines Corps Holiday Classic. The Armory runs the CUIMC Team Relay Marathon, which is the world’s largest indoor marathon relay. The Armory is also the home to the National Track & Field Hall of Fame and dozens of very large education-focused events. For more information, visit Armory.NYC and ArmoryTrack.org.

Source: Millrose Games