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Madison Square Garden, the world’s most famous arena located in Manhattan, N.Y., is most often associated as the home of the NBA’s Knicks, NHL’s Rangers and large music concerts.
Only once a year does the arena open up to host special events such as the NBA Draft, Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show and finally, the Millrose Games, a prestigious indoor track and field meet held on a 150-meter track annually on the first Friday in February.
The Millrose Games have been held each year in Madison Square Garden since 1914 and started in 1908 after the employees of John Wanamaker’s department store in New York City assembled a recreational club by the name of the Millrose Track Club.
Rod Wanamaker, son of John Wanamaker, led the formation and declared the meet would be known as “Millrose” — named after his Pennsylvania country home.
To most followers of the Millrose Games, American distance runner Bernard Lagat is an easy choice for a modern face of the event. Last year, Lagat won the Wanamaker Mile, the meet’s featured event, for a record-breaking eighth time.
Prior to the start of the 2011 Millrose Games, which were held last Friday, the confident American record holder in the 1,500-meter, 3,000-meter and 5,000-meter spoke publicly after hearing his main competitor in this year’s Wanamaker Mile would be 23-year-old, two-time indoor world champion Deresse Mekonnen of Ethiopia, saying, “Oh, you still have a long ways, man.”
Lagat, 36, was also quick to point out that “Mekonnen is really strong. He knows how to run indoor. I’m sure he’s ready, but I don’t want to lose to him. I don’t want to lose Millrose Games.”
When the race began, the former Washington State star moved into second right behind University of Oregon’s five-time school record holder Matt Scherer, who held the job of pace-setting. After 800 meters, Lagat stepped into the lead when Scherer left the track with Mekonnen tight on his heels. His time in the lead lasted only a short moment after Mekonnen made a move with four laps remaining to put himself in front.
Mekonnen would never look back, and despite three strong challenges to pass from the historically known-to-kick Lagat within the last 300-meters, the Ethopian record-holder in the mile was able to steal the victory from the veteran, finishing in 3:58.58. Lagat finished closely behind in 3:59.01.
“In my mind, I really wanted this,” Lagat said shortly after the race. “It would have been my ninth [Wanamaker Mile] win and that would have been something very special. I had some stomach problems this week but that is no excuse.”
The seven-time Olympic and world championship medalist plans to now focus on the 5,000-meter and the upcoming 2012 Olympic Games in London.
