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USA Track & Field
2008 Millrose Games at Madison Square Garden
Friday, February 1, 2008 in New York City
By Drew Woodrich with
Photos by www.photorun.net & Drew
New York, NY
For the Washington Running Report
Photo above by Victor Sailer, www.photorun.net: Millrose Meet Director Emeritus Howard Schmertz, Outstanding Athlete of the Meet--Shot Putter Adam Nelson, and Meet Director Mark Wetmore
The Millrose Games began in 1908 at a local armory with employees of the John Wanamaker Department Store. Many of America's greatest track & fields athletes, and several international stars, have competed in New York's indoor invitational meet located in mid-Manhattan. Athletes range in age from grade school ("fastest boy & girl"), high school, college, professional, and masters (over 40).
Read about the Athena Track Club's Women's Masters 4 x 400m Relay win.
Enthusiastic Crowds at Home Arena of Knicks (NBA) and Rangers (NHL)
First photo by Drew: High school Girls' Miler Jillian Smith (far left) during the final lap with photographer Victor Sailer (above 'd' in adidas) waiting at the finish line.
Second photo by www.photorun.net: Lashinda Demus, mother of two, on her way to victory (1:20.79) in the VISA Women's 600 yard run.
Third photo by Drew: Runners World journalist Peter Gambaccini (left) watches the Women's 600 race, and follows up between events with questions to athletes in the media room.
A High-Energy, Urban Environment with Athletic Style
First photo by www.photorun.net: The women's winning pole vaulter Jillian Schwartz (4.63m) on the runway. The height was a personal best for the 2004 Olympian and 2001 Duke graduate, who is coached by Hall-of-Famer Earl Bell.
Second photo by Drew: The Arkansas Razorbacks team (center) in the thick of it during the College Men's 4 x 800m relay. Arkansas won (7:34.18) with Villanova University (left) a close second (7:35.45); Georgetown University (far left) settled for third (7:39.97).
Third photo by Drew: Spreading the good news, 400m Hurdler Bershawn Jackson (center) repeated as the Men's 600 yard champion (1:10.34) by outleaning Khadevis Robinson (4-time USA Outdoor 800m champion). They were interviewed by ESPN's reporter (right) after the race.
Legends of the Past, Current Champions, and Aspiring Stars: That's Entertainment
First photo by Drew: Shortly after final event of the evening, the Wannamaker Men's Mile, runner-up Craig Mottram (3:57.90, center) and 2-year-old Miika (right) Lagat's father Bernard (3:57.51, sixth Wannamaker win) say goodnight. Adam Nelson (VISA shot put winner, white shirt) was named the Millrose Games Outstanding Athlete of the Meet with a knockout throw of 22.07 meters.
Second photo by www.photorun.net: An elated Kyle Merber (4:13.86) knew his competition well; he accelerated away from Bobby Andrews (4:14.60) with 400m left in the race.
Third photo by Drew: Larger than life on the big screen, Carl Lewis made an appearance at Madison Square Garden in response to a Millrose Games trivia question, Who set a World Indoor Long Jump Record of 28'10.25" in 1984.
See complete results for the 101st Millrose Games