London Rivals To Reunite At Millrose

After becoming just the second and third Americans to break the 1:43 barrier in the 800-meter run at the London Olympics, Duane Solomon and Nick Symmonds will be chasing a 26-year-old American record in the 600-meter run at the 106th Millrose Games at The Armory on Feb. 16, 2013.

That race will certainly be one of the most-anticipated at track & field’s premier annual indoor meet. Ray Flynn — the Games' director — said that "seeing Nick and Duane go head to head will be one of the Millrose Games' highlights."

During the 2012 Olympic Games in London, Solomon and Symmonds — a two-time U.S. Olympic Trials winner — finished fourth and fifth respectively in the 800m final won by Kenyan David Rudisha in world-record time. Both Solomon (1:42.84) and Symmonds (1:42.95) joined legendary Johnny Gray as the only sub-1:43 Americans.

Running on The Armory’s 200m track — billed as the world’s fastest indoor surface — both will have an excellent chance to eclipse Chip Jenkins' American 600m record of 1:15.80 set in 1987. The world record is 1:15.12 set by German Nico Motchebon in 1999.

"I'm really excited to be participating in the Millrose Games again and even more excited to take a crack at the indoor 600 American record in front of all the many track and field fans," said Solomon, who ran at the University of Southern California.

Added Symmonds: "For a very long time it has been a dream of mine to race in the Millrose Games. To have a chance to finally compete in this meet, at The Armory in front of a knowledgeable New York City crowd will certainly be the highlight of my winter season."

Historically, the 600 in the Millrose Games has produced legendary performances from track & field’s greatest athletes, including Bershawn Jackson and Millrose Games Hall of Famers Mal Whitfield, Martin McGrady and Mark Everett.