In an incredible showcase of talent at the Millrose Games, Yared Nuguse and Grant Fisher set new world records in the indoor mile and 3000m events. This achievement has etched their names in U.S. distance-running history.
Yared Nuguse, who won the Olympic bronze medal in the 1500m, ran the mile in 3 minutes and 46.63 seconds, securing his third consecutive Wanamaker Mile title at the Armory in New York City. He surpassed the previous world record of 3:47.01 set by Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha in 2019.
Nuguse shared his excitement after the race, stating, “It’s absolutely insane. I’ve always wanted a world record, especially in the mile.”
Hobbs Kessler, who finished second, also broke the old record, finishing in 3:46.90. This makes Nuguse the first American man to hold a mile world record since Dick Buerkle in the late 1970s, when World Athletics first recognized official indoor mile records.
Meanwhile, in the 3000m event, Grant Fisher edged past Olympic 1500m champion Cole Hocker in a thrilling finish, clocking 7:22.91. Fisher’s performance was exhilarating, as he described battling against Hocker as “a little scary” but ultimately triumphant.
Hocker also broke the previous world record, finishing just behind Fisher in 7:23.14. The former record of 7:23.81 belonged to Ethiopian Lamecha Girma from 2023. Fisher’s achievement marks the first time an American has broken a world distance-running record in a championship event since 2003.
In addition, at the same event, Josh Hoey set a new American record in the indoor 800m, finishing in 1:43.90. He edged out Bryce Hoppel, who also ran under the previous American record of 1:44.21, but not quite enough to take the lead.
The excitement continues in the months ahead, starting with the USA Track and Field Indoor Championships from February 22-23, followed by the World Indoor Championships in Nanjing, China, on March 21-23.
