Carmen Douma-Hussar (CAN) wins the MIle in the 2005 Millrose Games (© Getty Images)
New York, USACarmen DoumaHussar (Canada) and Elkanah Angwenyi (Kenya) are back to defend their titles in the New Balance Games at the Armory Track and Field Center on Saturday (21).
Douma-Hussar won the silver medal at the 2004 World Indoor Championships and in 2005 won the New York Mile Triple Crown… the New Balance Games, The Millrose Games, and the 5th Avenue Mile. Carmen is aiming for the 2006 Commonwealth Games and is coached by former three-time World Indoor 1500m champion, Marcus O'Sullivan of Ireland.
The Canadian’s biggest challenge is expected to come from the 2003/2004 New Balance Games champion, Hayley Tullet (Great Britain). Hayley was the Bronze medallist outdoors at the 2003 World Championships in Paris at the 1500m distance. Also vying for the win will be the talented Hilary Stellingwerff (Canada) now living in the Netherlands. The 2004 University of Wisconson graduate placed 3rd last year and will be representing Canada in the upcoming Commonwealth Games. For the USA, look no further than the former Kansas State standout, Amy Mortimer. Amy, last summer, took third place in the USATF 1500m championships and recently won the a road mile on New Year’s Eve in Londonderry, NH, USA.
In the men’s race Elkanah Angwenyi (Kenya) is seeking a three-peat, having won in 2004 and 2005. He will, however, have his hands full with James Thie (GBR) who won in 2003 and lives part of the year in Washington Heights, and Jason Lunn, the Stanford Graduate who was the 2002 and 2003 US Indoor Champion.
The two professional events look set to maintain the tradition of great miling on arguably one of the finest and fastest tracks in the world… the Armory at 168th and Broadway, where Alan Webb became the only American HS Student to break 4 minutes Indoors.
Victah Sailer for the IAAF
