Celebrated runner Eamonn Coghlan is coming back to the Millrose Games, this time as an “adopted coach.” The seven-time champion of the Wanamaker Mile is helping to bring a talented Irish squad from Dublin City University to compete in the Byron Dyce College Men’s Distance Medley Relay in the 105th Millrose Games on Feb. 11 at the Armory in New York City.
“I’ve known these kids since they were young teenagers,” said Coghlan, whose son, John, will be running the 1,600-meter anchor leg. “I’ve seen them grow up. The fact that they are all in school together, they can see what running in New York City is all about. It’s exciting for their team from the university to go to the Millrose Games and have a chance to do exceptionally well.
“The Irish used to come to the Millrose Games to support me, Marcus O’Sullivan (the Wanamaker Mile champion in 1986, ’88, ’89, ’90 and ’92 and now head coach at Villanova University) and Ron Delany (the winner of four consecutive Wanamaker Mile titles, 1956-59). People are not aware of the talent coming out of Ireland. It might get them back on the scene again and they potentially could make the Olympic Team come July,” he said. Recognized as Ireland’s “Dream Team” and gold medal winner of the Irish Under- 23 cross country team competition, the Dublin City University squad consists of Irish Junior 800-meter record holder Mark English (1:47.09), Brian Gregan, Darren McBrearty and 2010 U-23 Irish 1,500- meter champion John Coghlan.
The Irish team will be competing against the United States’ top college programs.
Although the venue has moved to the Armory from Madison Square Garden, the Millrose Games will still present a worldclass field of track and field athletes, including 2008 400-meter Olympic champions LaShawn Merritt; eight-time Wanamaker Mile champion and Olympic medalist Bernard Lagat, who will be running in the 5,000 meters; 2011 men’s high jump world champion Jesse Williams; 2008 Olympic Gold medalist Allyson Felix; and 2011 1,500-meter world champion/2008 USA Olympian Jennifer Simpson.
Tickets for the event may be purchased online at www.armorytrack.com. Click on Millrose Games for more information. There is an eight-ticket limit for online sales. For group sales of more than eight tickets, call Group Sales at 818-276-6790, (818-ARMORY-0).