Myers, Hiltz win NYRR Wanamaker Mile
First time race titles in biggest Mile wins of their careers so far
NEW YORK - At the 118th Millrose Games on Sunday, February 1, with impressive closing speed, Cam Myers and Nikki Hiltz won their first Wanamaker Mile titles, clocking world leading times of 3:47.57 and 4:19.64, respectively.
In the men's race, on the final lap, the Australian Myers, at 19 the second youngest Wanamaker champion (1969 winner Marty Liquori, 19 too, but 95 days younger), pulled away from two Americans, three-time defending champion Yared Nuguse and Hobbs Kessler, who crossed the line in 3:48.31 and 3:48.68. American Nico Young finished strongly in fourth (3:48.72, personal record, #9 individual all-time indoors).
“In a race like this, I can do that,” Myers told LetsRun.com of his move from 300 meters out. “But you get to a championship and it’s difficult to do that. So I think even though this might be my best strategy [right now], I’ve still got to work on the other side. I can’t just be a one-trick pony.”
Hiltz battled Jessica Hull over the last lap, before blasting away from the Paris Olympic silver medalist for the win, 4:19.64 to 4:20.11. Hiltz’s time was an indoor PR to become only the third American woman sub-4:20 indoors. Klaudia Kazimierska captured third with a Polish record of 4:21.36.
“I just wanted to challenge myself and try something new,” Hiltz said. “I know I can close really fast and outkick someone at the end, but I wanted to see if I could hold someone off.”
Overall, a record 10 women went sub-4:25 indoors.
Full men's race video below.
