Posted: January 25, 2005

Athletics: New York unites for Millrose Week, Super "Week of Track & Running"

NEW YORK - Highlighted by the 98th running of the Millrose Games, New York City will become a mecca for the world's most popular sport during the Super "Week of Track & Running," January 31 through February 6. The city's energy and diversity, as well as its sports institutions, have combined to present a full menu of world-class events that can be enjoyed by nearly everyone throughout the tri-state area.

"For the 98th year, New York City is privileged to host the Millrose Games and the world's finest track and field athletes," said Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg . "The Millrose Games are a sports institution in New York City, made possible by a standard of athletic excellence that has earned these games acclaim around the globe."

The Millrose Games, the greatest and most historic invitational indoor track & field meet in the world, returns to the Garden on Friday, February 4 for a post-Olympic extravaganza. But it is by no means the only hot ticket in town. The New York City Sports Commission, New Balance Track & Field Center at The Armory, NYC2012, New York Road Runners, USA Track & Field and Millrose Games event owners Pro Sports & Entertainment, Inc. all are part of a week that will bring no fewer than 14 track and running-related events and more than 7,000 athletes to the city. All told, it promises to be one of the greatest Millrose weeks in history.

"New York is the greatest city in the world, with the greatest indoor track meet in the world," said Sports Commissioner Ken Podziba . "During Millrose Week, we will come together as never before to showcase New Yorkers' love of track and running, whether it's up the steps of the Empire State Building, on the tight ovals of Madison Square Garden, within the historic walls of The Armory, or on the streets and paths of Central Park."

Among the highlights of New York's Super "Week of Track & Running":

Running reaches new heights, literally, at the 28th Bank of America Empire State Building Run Up , hosted by the New York Road Runners on Tuesday, February 1. Whether it's the annual battle of NYPD versus FDNY, Champion mountain runners pitted against world famous stair climbers, or 93 year-old Chico Schimone back to break his record as the oldest finisher, it's an exciting event at one of the world's most recognizable landmarks.

Community service gets a gold-medal hue when Team USA athletes speak to New York middle-school students, delivering a message that encourages young people to live a healthy, fit, drug-free lifestyle and urges kids to Be A Champion in life as well as in sports.

On Friday night, Feburary 4, all eyes are on Madison Square Garden for the Garden's longest-running event, the 98th Millrose Games . The world's most prestigious indoor invitational track meet returns to the Garden for another unforgettable evening. Watch top Olympic medalists from around the world compete, along with New York's Fastest Kid and some of the top high school and college talent in the country. The Millrose Hall of Fame inducts its 2004 Class, while Kenya's legendary Kip Keino receives recognition for his remarkable humanitarian work.

On Friday and Saturday, February 4th and 5th, the New Balance Track & Field Center at The Armory in Washington Heights will host the premier collegiate invitational track meet in the country. The New Balance College Invitational will play host to 2,000 of the world's best young athletes and the most established track programs in the country. With the meet being held from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Friday, at the conclusion of the day's events fans can head from the Armory to the Garden for the Millrose Games. NCAA powerhouse teams including the University of Arkansas, LSU, Stanford and Texas will take on metro-area schools such as Columbia and Manhattan. Teams from Oxford (England) and France will be on hand as well. An additional 3,000 high school athletes running in Armory events over the weekend will push the Armory's year-to-date participant total to 100,000 athletes. More than 350,000 young people will compete by year's end at the facility, which has helped bring indoor track to levels of popularity never before seen in New York.

The Armory hosts the sport's past as well as its future. The athletes who compete each year at the historic - and blazing fast - track also have the rare opportunity to tour the National Track & Field Hall of Fame, which reopened at the Armory in January 2004. A modern, interactive space that celebrates the legacy of the most celebrated Olympic sport also is a teaching center and a source of inspiration for its visitors.

Female athletes from around the East Coast fill Madison Square Garden for the finals of the Colgate Women's Games , starting at 11 a.m. Saturday.

See below for a full list of events during New York's Super "Week of Track & Running." For more information on the Millrose Games, visit USATF.org.

Schedule of Events: New York's Super "Week of Track & Running"

Monday, January 31

Track Writers of New York Luncheon Meeting, Noon

Some of the top entrants in Friday's 98th running of the Millrose Games will be on hand to speak with New York's finest track and running scribes. MEDIA ONLY. To attend the meeting, contact Walter Murphy: wmurphy25@aol.com.

Northern NJ Interscholastic League Track Meet, 4-10 p.m., New Balance Track & Field Center

Grassroots track is on display as Washington Heights welcomes its neighbors from Northern New Jersey. www.armorytrack.com

Tuesday, February 1

Bank of America Empire State Building Run Up, 10:30 a.m.

It is 86 floors or 1,576 steps from the lobby to the Observation Deck of The Empire State Building. On February 1st men and women from all around the globe will take the long way to the top of New York's most famous building in the 28th annual Bank of America Empire State Building Run Up. Whether it's the annual battle of NYPD versus FDNY, Champion mountain runners pitted against world famous stair climbers, or 93 year-old Chico Schimone back to break his record as the oldest finisher, it's an exciting event at one of the world's most recognizable landmarks. Since 1978 this quintessential New York event has been one of New York Road Runners signature races.

25th Annual Thurman Munson Awards Dinner, 6 p.m., Marriott Marquis Hotel

Nine-time ING New York City Marathon champion Grete Waitz will be honored at the silver anniversary Thurman Munson Awards Dinner, to benefit the Association for the Help of Retarded Children. Waitz won the five-borough race in 1978-80, 1982-86 and 1988. No man or woman has won the race more times than the former Norwegian schoolteacher. Waitz will be joined by Olympic gold medalists Carly Patterson and Paul Hamm , Yankee slugger Gary Sheffield ; Mets centerfielder Mike Cameron and former Knicks star/ESPN basketball commentator Mark Jackson in receiving Munson Awards for their excellence in competition and their philanthropic work within the community. For tickets and information on the Munson Awards Dinner contact 212-888-7003.

Wednesday, February 2

NJ Metropolitan Invitational, 4-10 p.m., New Balance Track & Field Center at the Armory

New Jersey's finest prepsters hit the track. ArmoryTrack.com

Thursday, February 3

Millrose Games press conference, 11 a.m., Southgate Tower Hotel

Medal-winning athletes, 2005 Millrose Hall of Fame inductees, Paul Feller of PSEI and Craig Masback of USATF speak to the press. Southgate Tower is located one block from Madison Square Garden, at 371 7th. Ave.

"Be A Champion" Olympic Athlete School Visit,1:15 p.m., Center School

Some of Team USA's top Olympians will speak to students at MS 243 Center School, located at 270 W. 70th Street. Delivering the message of living with integrity, promoting health and wellness and striving to succeed, athletes encourage kids to Be A Champion in life as well as sports. Media are invited to attend this event that is crucial to USA Track & Field's core strategic initiatives.

Friday, February 4

98th Millrose Games, 6:30 p.m., Madison Square Garden

The world's most prestigious indoor invitational track meet returns to Madison Square Garden for another unforgettable evening. Watch top Olympic athletes from around the world compete, along with New York's Fastest Kid and some of the top high school and college talent in the country. The Millrose Hall of Fame inducts its 2004 Class, while Kenya's legendary Kip Keino receives recognition for his remarkable humanitarian work. www.usatf.org.

Tickets are still available and can be purchased by visiting the Madison Square Garden Box Office or calling (212) 465-6741; or calling Ticketmaster at (212) 307-7171, (201) 507-8900 or (203) 624-0033; for Spanish call (212) 307-4757, USATF.org.

For media credential forms, please contact Lorraine Dellicarpini at Lorraine.dellicarpini@edelman.com

New Balance College Invitational, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., New Balance Track & Field Center at The Armory

Some of the best college teams in the world will be at The Armory over the weekend, including Arkansas, LSU, Texas, Stanford, Tennessee, Manhattan, Villanova, Columbia, and Oxford (England). More than 2,000 athletes will participate in the most competitive college invitational meet in the country. - Tickets $5 students/$15 adults, available at the Armory ticket office. www.armorytrack.com

Saturday, February 5

New Balance College Invitational, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., New Balance Track & Field Center at The Armory - KIDS DAY

Kids under age 14 are admitted to the meet FREE when accompanied by an adult. Kids also get FREE admission to the National Track & Field Hall of Fame.

Colgate Women's Games, 11 a.m., Madison Square Garden

The 31st edition of this indoor track & field series culminates with the Colgate Women's Games finals, held at the world-renowned Madison Square Garden. More than 11,000 registrants - from first grade through age 30 plus and from Boston to Virginia - competed in four weeks of preliminary and semi-final competition at Brooklyn's Pratt Institute. www.colgategames.com

Sunday, February 6

NYRR Gridiron Classic (5K)/Longest Football Throw Competition, 9:30 a.m., Central Park

Start this Super Bowl Sunday right with a 5K through Central Park. With a run under your belt you'll have all the more reason to indulge in the nachos, wings, and beer later on. Event starts at Central Park's East drive at 102nd Street. The Football Throw is at 8:45AM and the race will kick off at 9:30AM. For more information, or to register, please visit: www.nyrr.org

Catholic HS Athletic Association Frosh/Soph Boys Championships, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., New Balance Track & Field Center at The Armory

The next generation of great high school athletes compete at The Armory. ArmoryTrack.com

Girls Brooklyn/Queens CHSAA Championships, 2-6 p.m. New Balance Track & Field Center at The Armory

A battle of the boroughs, track & field style. ArmoryTrack.com

Source: Jill Geer, USATF.org.