Bernard Lagat has spent more than a decade becoming the NYRR Millrose Games’ so-called President of the Boards, and one of the faces of American track and field. Mary Cain may spend the next decade doing the same, and the two local favorites stole the show at Saturday’s meet at the Armory and turned it into their own personal victory party.
Even at 39, Lagat still has plenty in the tank. He won the 2,000 meters in 4:54.74 to earn his 11th Millrose title and snap Steve Scott’s 33-year-old U.S. record. Cain, a 17-year-old Bronxville High senior, won a tough Wanamaker Women’s Mile at the New Balance Track & Field Center in a gritty 4:27.73 belying her tender age.
Cain holds the world junior record in the 1,000 meters and ran a 4:24.11 mile last month in the Terrier Classic at Boston University to just miss the record by 1/100th of a second. But having just turned pro in November and still inexperienced on the world stage, Cain was less intent on chasing records and determined to test herself in a loaded field.
“There was part of me that said, ‘I want to go with the rabbit [Heather Kampf, who took the early lead].’ But honestly, one thing I struggle with a lot is really just competing, being in a pack, running with a lot of bodies,’’ said Cain, who plans to relocate to Portland, Ore., after she finishes high school. “I’m still not used to it. So the goal was to compete and to race smart. And that’s what I did.’’
She met that goal. Trailing with 600 left, she went by Emma Coburn, then held off runner-up Treniere Moser by more than a second. She did it with enough to spare to buoy her confidence Mary Decker’s American mile (4:20.5) and 1,500 meter (3:59.98) marks are within reach.
“I think so. I felt really comfortable,” Cain said. “Mary Decker’s my idol. I’m not going into it like, ‘Oh, yeah, I can break 4:00.’ But my attitude is in the right race at the right time. This outdoor season I’m really excited about. I love being here. I’m an Armory girl. I’ve been racing here since eighth grade. Our relay won here my freshman year, but winning the Wanamaker Mile is even bigger. That’s huge.”
On the other side of the spectrum was Lagat, who won a record eight Wanamaker Miles and swept the 5,000 and 2-mile last year before setting an unofficial American record in the inaugural Paavo Nurmi 2,000.
“It feels good to come to New York, especially after a run like this. …I come here for a purpose. The purpose is to run well and put on a show,’’ said Lagat, who came through the mile in 3:59.7 and held off a late kick by Cam Levins.
“I’m like, really, after all these laps, am I going to give it away like that? So I sprinted across the end. … Of all the training you do, to think halfway to go I can lose this now. It brings in something else for me. That’s why you kick like crazy. If I die, I die at the finish line.’’
Lagat wouldn’t say what distance he’ll run next year, but made it clear he’s going to aim for win No. 12.
“I will come back,’’ Lagat said. “There is nothing I can fear anymore.’’
Will Leer won the Wanamaker Mile in 3:52.47, Marvin Bracy took the 60 in a world-leading 6.50, Mark Hollis won the pole vault at 18-4 ½ and Lalane Gordon took the 300 in 32.47 after favorite Wallace Spearmon was grounded by weather and ran in Fayetteville, Ark., instead.
Neptune, N.J., product Ajee’ Wilson won the women’s 800 in 2:01.81, Michelle-Lee Ahye took the 60 in 7.13 and former heptathlete Janay DeLoach Soukup captured the 60 hurdles in world-leading 7.91.