Millrose Remains Committed To Youth

The most esteemed indoor track and field meet in the country, the Millrose Games, is moving uptown to the New Balance Track & Field Center at The Armory. That news broke in May, resulting Wayne Coffey of the New York Daily News to write:

"(Millrose) has struggled with dwindling attendance and coverage in recent years, and despite efforts to freshen it up, the prevailing perception was that the event was not going to regain its luster at the cavernous Garden."

Coffey also concluded:

"The Armory seats only 5,000 and parking in its Washington Heights neighborhood is tight. Even with the Armory's potential drawbacks, track and field insiders believe that a building that is considered a mecca for the sport is the perfect place to restore prominence to the Millrose Games."

Since then The Armory Foundation has been working to create the foundation that will restore the luster of the event, which will fill The Armory on the evening of Saturday, February 11. The first big story was the installation of Ray Flynn, a former Olympian and agent for Ryan Hall, Alysia Montano, Alan Webb and Lauryn Williams, as the meet's director. (Click here to learn more about Ray Flynn)

"The mission is to bring back excellence to the Millrose Games, to great races, record-breaking races, and to make a stronger link between the high school kids and the professional athletes," Flynn has said.

"We want to maintain the tradition of the Millrose Games with a traditional schedule, a heavy influx of high school participation and also an increase in the number of college events," said Dr. Norb Sander, president of The Armory Foundation.

Within a month, Dr. Sander will release that meet schedule as well as ticket information. He has already promised to make a large portion of those seats available to young runners within the Armory region. That is part of the commitment to bring back an exciting atmosphere at the Millrose Games.

"What's going to be new is an open mind," said Dr. Sander. "We want to attract the best athletes and the most interesting ones. We’re not obligated to a shoe company. Our door is open to everyone. So let's make it great."