Millrose Weekend returns with Nuguse, Hocker, Grant and Kessler
More than a century that Millrose Games they’ve occupied a territory that no other domestic has touched, and with the 118th edition arriving this weekend, the feeling remains that this is the moment where rivalries heat up and the domestic season begins to really take shape in a charged atmosphere. The gun in New York.
Millrose always demanded that athletes not go through this race. Performances here tend to follow runners long after winter fades, largely because Millrose rewards those willing to brave the pressure.
Nugus, Kessler, Fisher and Kerr headline the men’s show
The men’s program progresses race by race, with each event building toward the closing announcement of the Wanamaker Mile. That mile is refocusing Jared Nugusewho arrives chasing a fourth consecutive Wanamaker title, a feat that will place him alone in the meeting’s long memory and cement his connection to this race that seems to be rewarding his patience. Nuguse knows exactly what the Armory requires, having won here last year in 3:46.63, and he returns knowing that nothing is given twice without fighting again.
The challenge he faces is multi-layered and serious, starting with him Hobbs Kessler, who walks into Millrose wearing the glow of a performance that has set tongues wagging. His 2,000-meter world record in Boston showed an athlete who is comfortable unleashing his speed in fatigues, a skill that will prove invaluable when the Wanamaker Mile is squeezed into decisions in the final laps. Kessler no longer comes across as a promising contender. He comes across as someone who is ready to impose himself.
The Armory, New York, New York, USA, photo by Kevin R. Morris
Adding extra tension is Cameron Myers, whose final closing speed of over 3,000 meters suggested an engine capable of responding to any wave, and Andrew Koskoran, whose experience and tactical sense make him a factor in any race shaped by patience rather than raw pace.
The Armory, New York, New York, USA, photo by Kevin R. Myers
Before the mile appears men’s two mile offers a race that could easily be the performance of the night, given the field is closer to a championship final than a close season meet. Josh Kerr, Grant Fisher, and: Cole’s stool headline a race that mixes speed, endurance and tactical awareness in equal measure, while Jake Whiteman and: George Beamish ensure that no approach goes unanswered. Younger talent loves it Graham Blanks add fearlessness to a field already brimming with intent, setting the stage for a race that can defy the forecast down the final straight.
Elsewhere, the men’s 60m will see the duo Akeem Blake and: Brian Level Leading the pack, with no major running backs from the U.S. on display, the Stars and Stripes will feature two 21-year-old talents whose rivalry has already been forged on the biggest collegiate stages. Jordan Anthony and: T’Mars McCallum have pushed each other around the SEC and NCAA circuit, and now that familiar battle moves to a bigger stage as they exit the college ranks and enter a field full of established professionals.
The men’s 800m continues the theme of meaningful races, back Donavan Brazier, Bryce Hoppel, Sian McPhillips, Mohamed Atawi, and: Ben Pattison lining up in a race that prioritizes racing instinct over clock-watching, a combination that has historically thrived in Millrose conditions.
Hiltz and Johnson lead the women’s races
At the center of the women’s event at Millrose stands Women’s Wanamaker Mile, where? Nikki Hiltz returns with a chance to claim a spot few women have claimed, as a win here would announce to the world once again that Nikki Hiltz is ready in 2026. Their familiarity with the gun, combined with their ability to stay calm as the race tightens, makes them a commanding presence before the gun is ever fired.
Staten Island, New York, United States, photo by Kevin R. Morris
Alongside him stands a momentum-rich field leading the way Dorcus Evoy and: Sinclair Johnson, both record credentials and recent performances that suggest they are willing to force the race rather than wait for it. Heather McLean enters as one of the fastest women ever indoors, bringing an efficiency and conviction that often goes unnoticed until they transform the outcome.
It women 3000 m rekindles a rivalry that has already captured the attention of the sport as Doris Lemgole and: Jane Hedengren faced with unfinished business again after their NCAA crosstown meet. Their presence underscores how Millrose bridges the generations, offering college athletes a stage where the pressure mirrors the professional ranks.
Follow-up meeting
January 24, 2026
Boston, MA USA, photo by Kevin Morris
in women 600 mthe narrative focuses Aji Wilson, whose story at The Armory is told like tradition, while emerging talents such as Roisin Willis and: Juliet Whittaker enter with great confidence and a willingness to try themselves in an environment that the world would be watching. (Editor’s Note: Roisin Willis define a new AR 1:57.97 In a wonderful battleSobel Boffi, where Boffy took 3 seconds off his previous PB 1:57.43.
Millrose has always been about more than results when performances travel. The history of the race is definitely about the runners, especially the winners, and you can relate to how they continue to compete for the rest of their season.
