Stafford, Knight, Flanagan and George headlining the Millrose Games

Nine Canadians are set to toe the line this Saturday in NYC

Madeleine Kelly February 6, 2019

Saturday February 9 is the 2019 Millrose Games in New York City, one of the oldest and most exciting indoor track meets in North America. The games have gathered a historically strong field, particularly in the men’s mile. There are nine Canadians heading to toe the line in New York this weekend.

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Yomif Kejelcha, the 21-year-old Ethiopian middle distance runner, is attempting the world record in the Wanamaker mile. The Nike Oregon Project athlete announced on Friday that he believes he’s capable of a 3:48 mile, and that the field of men he’s racing against can help him get there. The record is currently 3:48.45 and held by Hicham El Guerrouj of Morocco. Last year Edward Cheserek, who is also in Saturday’s field, ran the second fastest indoor mile mark in history, hitting 3:49.44 at the Valentine Invitational in Boston.

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In the women’s mile field, Canadian mile record holder Gabriela Stafford is set to run. She will face Bowerman runners Colleen Quigley and Kate Grace, along with Nike athlete Shannon Osika who just set a new facility record at the Michigan Power Five Invitational.

Ben Flanagan and Justyn Knight are also racing the men’s 3,000m. Flanagan said in an interview on Monday that his goal is to be competitive. “I haven’t seen the full start list, but I’m feeling confident after my last race at the Armory. I want to make sure I’m a contender in the race.”

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In the women’s 3,000m, Jessica O’Connell is racing. The 2016 Olympian over 5,000m will face steeplechase world champion Emma Coburn and Commonwealth Games gold medallist Aisha Praught-Leer.

On the sprinting side, Phylicia George and Astrid Nyame are racing the 60m hurdles. Johnathan Cabral is racing the men’s 60m hurdles. Rounding out the Canadians in the sprinting fields, we have Maya Stephens in the 400m and Gavin Smellie in the 200m.

If you’re tuning in and want to see something really cute, be sure to watch the Fastest Kid in the World 55m which features kids from all over the world who are really excited and really good as running. Event get underway at 11:25 a.m. EDT on Saturday, full start lists can be found here.

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