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New York - Veteran New York Times’ sportswriter Bill Miller best hold on to his hat this February as the NYRR Millrose Games approaches.

Having covered the Millrose Games since the 1930s, Miller called the 2013 edition “one of the best ever.” But now – with a new and even faster Mondo surface on The Armory’s famed oval – the 107th running might well become just “the best ever.”

And if you want to be there for the excitement of this NYRR Millrose Games on Sat., Feb. 15, you are encouraged to act quickly. Tickets go on sale today (Mon., Dec. 2) at noon.

Fans are urged to visit http://www.NYRRMillroseGames.org to purchase tickets. Further questions can answered by calling The Armory at (212) 923-1803 ext. 7200.

The Games have attracted the top professional, college and high school track & field athletes for more than 100 years, but the intimacy of The Armory has heightened the experience for fans and athletes since the event moved Uptown in 2012. The 2014 NYRR Millrose Games will begin at noon and conclude at 6:30 pm, featuring the prime time window from 3 pm to 5 pm.

Last year’s Games saw more than 65 records broken, including nine national records from five countries and four national high school records (two each from new professional Mary Cain and NCAA cross country champ Edward Cheserek). American records were established by Bernard Lagat, Alysia Montano and Erik Sowinski while teen superstarAjee Wilson broke her own World Junior record in the 600-meter run.

The Armory and New York Road Runners will be making a series of announcements in regards to participants and other important events related to the NYRR Millrose Games in the near future.

About the NYRR Millrose Games

Since its inception in 1908 at a local armory, the NYRR Millrose Games is one of track and field’s most prestigious annual events. A New York City sports staple, the meet moved to New Balance Track & Field Center at The Armory in Washington Heights in 2012 after having called the Madison Square Garden home from 1914 to 2011. The Games – established by employees of Wanamaker’s Department Store – annually feature track & field’s most prolific male and female stars as well as collegiate and high school competitors. More than 200 athletes share the distinction of being both Millrose and Olympic Champions. For more: Please visit www.NYRRMillroseGames.com.

About NYRR

Founded in 1958, New York Road Runners has grown from a local running club to the world’s premier community running organization, whose mission is to help and inspire people through running. NYRR’s commitment to New York City’s five boroughs features races, community events, youth initiatives, school programs, and training resources that provide hundreds of thousands of people each year, from children to seniors, with the motivation, know-how, and opportunity to run for life. NYRR’s premier event, the TCS New York City Marathon, features 50,000 participants, from the world’s elite athletes to a wide range of recreational and charity runners, and is part of the World Marathon Majors, an alliance of the world’s six biggest marathons that determines each year’s top male and top female marathoner. For more: Please visit www.nyrr.org.

About The Armory Foundation

The Armory is a New York City non-profit institution, with the mission of “Keeping Kids on Track.” Each season the Armory – the proud home of the NYRR Millrose Games - hosts more than 100 track & field meets and welcomes more than 125,000 individual athletes. Besides its many youth sports and educational programs, the Armory runs the Hispanic Games, the New Balance Games, New Balance Nationals Indoors and the Armory Collegiate Invitational, the largest indoor college meet. The Armory is also the home to the National Track & Field Hall of Fame. For more: Please visit www.ArmoryTrack.com.

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INDIANAPOLIS - Days away from the start of the 119th Penn Relays, USA Track and Field announced an updated relay pool for the USA vs. The World Events Saturday on the track.

Men’s 4x100m
It will be a USA vs. Jamaica showdown in the men’s 4x100m. Team USA will feature Olympic silver relay medalists Justin Gatlin, Trell Kimmons, Ryan Bailey, Doc Patton and Jeff Demps. Other U.S. men in the relay pool include: current world leader Mike Rodgers and Wallace Spearmon. The Jamaican team will include Nesta Carter of the 2012 Olympic gold medal relay, along with Jason Young, Kimari Roach, Dexter Lee and Rasheed Dwyer. Other international challengers include: the Bahamas, Canada, France, Germany, Nigeria and the United Kingdom.

Women’s 4x100m
With a world record to their name, the Team USA women will be hard to beat. The record setting relay lineup of Allyson Felix, Tianna (nee’ Madison) Bartoletta, Bianca Knight and Carmelita Jeter will be down one woman after Jeter pulled up with an apparent cramp at Mt. SAC last weekend. The U.S. has plenty of depth to fill her spot with the likes of Chelsea Hayes, Jeneba Tarmoh and Alexandria Anderson also in the pool. The U.S. and Jamaican rivalry will be strong in this event as Jamaica brings three members of their silver medal Olympic team with two-time Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Sherone Simpson andKerron Stewart. The international field will also include: the Bahamas, Canada, Germany, Nigeria and Trinidad and Tobago.

Women’s 4x400m Relay
It will be a gold medal reunion with 2012 Olympic gold medalists Sanya Richards-Ross, Allyson Felix, DeeDee Trotter and Francena McCorory in the relay pool for Team USA. Olympians Keshia Baker, Natasha Hastings and Mary Wineberg will also strengthen the U.S. lineup. Internationally, Team USA will face the United Kingdom, Russia, Nigeria, Jamaica, Canada and the Bahamas. While Russia took silver in London, none of the medalists will be competing this weekend; however, Jamaica will send three members of its bronze medal team with Christine Day, Shericka Williams and Novlene Mills.

Men’s 4x400m
Team USA will face a tough challenge in the men’s 4x400m with the gold medal quartet of Chris Brown, Demetrius Pinder, Michael Mathieu and Ramon Miller from the Bahamas traveling to Franklin Field. Also challenging for the win will be the Caribbean All-Stars team led by Olympic champions Kirani James andFelix Sanchez.Team USA will feature Olympic silver medalists Tony McQuay and Manteo Mitchell. WhileLaShawn Merritt was injured and unable to run in the 4x400m in London, he will run his first relay since last year’s USA vs. The World. Other members of the Team USA relay pool include: Bershawn Jackson, Jeshua Anderson and Jamaal Torrance.

Women’s 4x800m
Team USA’s 2012 Olympic 800m trio of Alysia Montano, Geena Gall and Alice Schmidt will all be on hand for this event new to the USA vs. The World lineup. With the U.S. boasting great middle distance depth, the relay pool will also include Anna Willard, Phoebe Wright, Brenda Martinez and Ajee Wilson. Wright will be looking to better her own American record of 8:17.91 in the 4x800m that she set while running for the University of Tennessee in 2009. Team USA will face strong squads from Canada, Ethiopia, Kenya, Russia and the United Kingdom.

Men’s Distance Medley Relay
The U.S. men look strong with 2012 Olympians Bernard Lagat, Nick Symmonds, Duane Solomon andAndrew Wheating in the relay pool. Erik Sowinski also looks to make a name for himself outdoors after a stellar indoor season that included the 600m American record and the USA Indoor 800m title. Team USA will go up against deep fields from the United Kingdom, Morocco, Kenya, Ireland, Ethiopia, Canada and Australia.

Relay lineups will be available after the technical meeting on Friday, April 26.

For more information on USA vs. The World at the Penn Relays and the 2013 USATF Outdoor Championship Series, visit www.usatf.org

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PHILADELPHIA – In light of the recent terrorist activities that took place at the Boston Marathon on Monday, April 15, the Penn Relays would like to reiterate the following security measures that are in place for fans and participants at this year’s event.

The University released an official statement on Wednesday regarding security at the Penn Relays, “Security is always a high priority at the Penn Relays. It is something we take seriously, and given the situation in Boston, additional security measures will be undertaken during this year’s games. We are not, however, going to discuss the specific details around security activities.”

Please note, these guidelines will be strictly enforced:

*Backpacks and large bags (gym bags, duffel bags, etc.) WILL NOT be permitted into Franklin Field or the Relay Carnival Village for spectators.

*Participants (athletes, coaches, team medical personnel) WILL be permitted to bring in backpacks; these bags will be thoroughly checked, and will only be allowed in via the designated participant entrances.

*ALL bags containing food must be smaller than 12″ x12″ x 6″ and in clear plastic bags. Sealed plastic water bottles and cardboard juice boxes are permitted inside the clear plastic bags.

*Coolers, glass bottles and cans WILL NOT be permitted.

*Animals are not permitted except service animals.

*Contraband items such as weapons, flag poles, sticks, and other poles are not permitted.

*Barbeque items and any open flames are not permitted.

*Smoking is not permitted in Franklin Field, per City of Philadelphia code.

*Penn Athletics is working with Penn’s Division of Public Safety which is responsible for the security of the event. The Division of Public Safety will have police and security personnel at every entrance (including athlete entrances) to thoroughly check and wand contents of bags and your person as you enter the Penn Relays.

*This procedure will take time, so please allow for ample time to get into the facility each day. This goes for athletes, as well; participants should plan ahead to ensure ample time to clerk for races.

The Penn Relays is the largest international sporting event in the United States this year. We hope you understand the necessary security adjustments, and that you are aware your safety is important to us. We appreciate your cooperation. Enjoy the Relays!

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