Yared Nuguse wins Wanamaker Mile, shatters U.S. indoor record
“Definitely the 3:47. I always just love the Mile more. The 3k’s fun, but the Mile, 1500, they’re definitely where my heart’s at.”
By Tim Casey, Forbes, Senior Contributor
Before Saturday, Yared Nuguse had never competed at the famed Millrose Games indoor track meet in New York City. But he showed no nerves in the marquee event of at the meet's 115th edition that was televised live on NBC. Instead, he ran the best race of his life.
With his parents and sister in the crowd, Nuguse won the Rudin Wanamaker Mile in a U.S. record 3:47.38, shattering the old mark of 3:49.89 that Bernard Lagat set in 2005 on the same day, and becoming #2 American all-time, only Alan Webb faster (3:46.91). It was the second-fastest indoor Mile time ever, trailing just the world record of 3:47.01 that Yomif Kejelcha of Ethiopia ran in 2019 in Boston.
The performance came two weeks after Nuguse ran 7:28.24 in the 3000 meters at a meet in Boston, breaking Galen Rupp’s U.S. record that had stood for 10 years.
After Saturday’s race, Nuguse was asked which record he held in higher esteem.
“Definitely the 3:47,” he said. “I always just love the Mile more. The 3k’s fun, but the Mile, 1500, they’re definitely where my heart’s at.”
Nuguse, who turns 24 in June, was a star runner at Notre Dame, winning multiple national titles. He also finished third in the 1500 meters at the U.S. Olympic Trials in June 2021, clinching a spot in the Olympics. But a few weeks later, Nuguse sustained a quadriceps injury, forcing him to miss the Toyko Olympics.
Instead of turning pro, Nuguse returned to Notre Dame and set an NCAA record in the indoor 3000 meters. Still, Nuguse said he wasn’t satisfied with his final college year.
In June 2022, Nuguse joined the On Athletics Club, a professional team based in Boulder, Colo. Since then, he has trained under On head coach Dathan Ritzenhein, three-time Olympian and a former U.S. record-holder in the 5000 meters. His teammates include top runners such as Mario Garcia Romo of Spain and Olli Hoare of Australia, both of whom raced in the Mile on Saturday and set national records.
Continue reading at: forbes.com
NOTE: Laura Muir won the women’s Rudin Wanamaker Mile in 4:20.15, followed by Josette Andrews in 4:20.88.
