Ó Lionáird steps up to the next level
The race saw world silver medallist, Silas Kiplagat, run the fastest indoor mile in three years to edge out fellow Kenyan Caleb Ndiku by three hundredths of a second to claim victory in 3:52.63.
Ndiku, the 2010 world junior champion, crossed the line in 3:52.66.
The scramble for third place went to the two-time world indoor silver medallist Daniel Komen in 3:53.93, with Amine Laalou (Morocco) fourth in 3:54.49, just edging out Ó Lionáird who had a rough passage through a rough and tumble race.
“I did not race very good last night,” Ó Lionaird, said. “The tactics were poor on my part — I was up and down a lot and then I missed the important move when it went. It was a big tactical error on my part. I learned a big lesson out there.
“At this point it’s all about getting ready for the world championships in Istanbul and making sure I don’t make any of those mistakes again.”
David McCarthy (West Waterford/Providence) was Ireland’s first representative in the Wanamaker Mile since the 2000 winner, Mark Carroll, and he finished eighth in 3:57.96 outside the New England Collegiate record which he set at 3:55.75 in Boston a couple of weeks ago.
The Wanamaker Mile was won by Ciarán Ó Lionáird’s training partner, Matthew Centrowitz, in 3:53.92, breaking the old Armoury record which was set by Mark Carroll at 3:54.98 12 years ago.
DCU finished second in the Distance Medley Relay at the Millrose Games. The race was won on the final leg by Marcus O’Sullivan’s Villanova squad.
