By: Angus Barnes
Published on: Jan 30, 2026
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The Millrose Games has a long history as a feature on the indoor athletics calendar and Australians are playing an increasing role in how events unfold.
In 2026, six Australian athletes will line up for the headline events – likely a record.
‘Likely’ because the history of the event is hard to trace in the record books. From an Australian perspective the various articles by Len Johnson are probably the best source of information for the earlier history.
This article will focus largely on the Wanamaker Miles and the recent years in which Australians featured.
Wanamaker Miles
2026 will be a unique year for Australia for at least one reason - the first time two Australians will appear in both the men's and women's Wanamaker miles
Mens
Oliver Hoare lines up for his fifth Wanamaker mile. Hoare finished 7th in 2019, a break out season for him after his surprise outdoor win in the NCAA outdoor 1500m in 2018 over Josh Kerr (GBR), and backed that up with 2nd in 2020 behind Chris O’Hare (GBR).
Kerr is a regular Millrose Games competitor, and the battle between Hoare & Kerr in 2022 saw Hoare become Australia’s first, and only, Wanamaker Mile champion in 3:50.83. The next year Hoare ran the same time and in a battle with his training partners finished 3rd to Yared Nuguse.
Last year Nuguse won his third title in World Record time, with a fast finishing Cameron Myers grabbing third in 3:47.48, a time that stretched the World Athletics records abbreviation list: "WJR, WJR, =AR, AR, AJR, AJR", given the 1500m time en route broke a couple of records as well.
In the past Craig Mottram came close twice to holding the (very large) trophy aloft, finishing second to Bernard Lagat in both 2008 & 2009 by less than half a second
Others to compete and break four minutes in the mile – Ryan Gregson in 2013 finishing 8th in 3:55.97, won by Lopez Lomong just ahead of Matt Centrowitz. And in 2024 Adam Spencer placing 6th with 3:52.70 behind a Nuguse win.
Womens
The women's event has seen fewer Australians. The year Hoare won, Jessica Hull was 4th, and then second in 2024 in an Australian indoor record of 4:19.03, both times behind Ellie St Pierre victories.
In 2025 Linden Hall ran her first Wanamaker and finished 6th in 4:24.58.
Other events
Australian's have featured in other events at the Millrose Games aside from the miles, even including an appearance by Steve Hooker in 2007 who lost the pole vault to Brad Walker (USA) on countback with 5.80m.
Morgan McDonald ran the 3000m in 2019 and finished second behind his NCAA rival Grant Fisher (USA). Patrick Tiernan finished 5th in that race. McDonald was also 5th in the two mile race in which Kerr set the World Record.
In 2025 Ky Robinson breaks the long-standing Mottram 3000m indoor record with 7:30.38, and Jessica Hull, in the lead up to her bronze in the World Indoor Championships, finishes fourth in the 3000m in 8:30.91.
THIS YEAR
The fields just seem to be getting better and better. With the current American penchant for breaking indoor world records, it’s a pretty sure bet that times are going to be fast.
Two Miles (8:49am AEDT)
Jonathan Gault’s article certainly makes the case for this year's two miles field being the best ever assembled.
Ky Robinson is now used to mixing in such esteemed fields after last year's 3000m bronze at the World Indoor Championships, and fourth in the World Championship 5000m.
Many consider Craig Mottram’s two mile best of 8:03.50 as his toughest record (was #3 world all-time when run). With the race likely paced to break eight minutes, if Robinson can challenge the leaders he'll certainly be under that time. But he may also be competing with George Beamish (NZL) to stake the claim as first Oceania man under the double 4 minute barrier.
3000m (8:29am)
Lauren Ryan drops down the distance, after her recent 13th at the World Cross Country 10km and win in the National 10,000m Championship at the Zatopek meet in December. Likely to break her 3000m best of 8:37.56 if she can stick on the pace, with the field including recent NCAA star Jane Hendengren (USA) and sub-9 minute steeplechaser Doris Lemngole (KEN).
Women’s Wanamaker Mile (9:40am)
Jessica Hull has had some wonderful battles with Ellie St Pierre since her NCAA days, but unfortunately St Pierre is a late withdrawal. Another Hull raced against, including in her 1500m NCAA title in 2018, is Nikki Hiltz (USA). Hiltz will present tough opposition as she always does, as to will Dorcus Ewoi (KEN) who pipped Hull for silver at last years World Championships.
World Champion cross-country relay team mate Linden Hall has continued her great form into 2026, recently breaking into the top 20 world all-time over 3000m indoors. Hall won't be afraid to lead after the pace-makers drop off, and given the Australians have the edge in terms of recent race-fitness could we see them battle it out for the trophy? The Australian indoor record of 4:19.03 certainly looks likely to be re-written.
Men’s Wanamaker Mile (9:51am)
Yared Nuguse (USA) has run three of the top six indoor miles all-time – all set when winning the Wanamaker mile. Last year he finished ahead of Hobbs Kessler (USA) - but this years Kessler has a new World Indoor 2000m Record under his belt.
There's also a different Cameron Myers, one that is over 1% quicker based on his lead up times for the same distances compared to last year. Apply that improvement to his 3:47.48 mile time and you end up with something extraordinary. Perhaps the most surprising lead-up race Myers has run was his win in December over a hilly 10km cross-country course against some of Australia’s best runners over that distance. So a 3:46 even 3:45 is hard to believe, until you realise that Myers himself is a strong believer in his ability to surprise.
Recent cross-country relay World Champion, Oliver Hoare, looks to be on the way back to the form that saw him able to position himself towards the front of these fast paced races. While his stated goal is a modest (in today's terms) sub-3:50 mile, this will be an important part of the build into 2026.
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