Top pole vaulters also set for 100th Millrose Games on Feb. 2

NEW YORK CITY (Jan. 16) - Alan Webb, who six years ago led the charge to revive American interest in the mile when he broke Jim Ryun's 36-year-old national high-school record, will compete in the famed Wanamaker Mile at the 100th Millrose Games, organizers announced today.

Webb, 24, became a national celebrity in 2001 when he broke both the indoor and outdoor national high-school mile records, the former at the New York Armory track and the latter on national TV. He is a two-time U.S. outdoor champion at 1500 meters, and a 2004 Olympian. In 2005, he set the American Record for 2 Miles (8:11.48), and last spring ran the fastest 10,000-meter debut ever by an American (27:34.72). Webb is scheduled to run the mile at the New Balance Games at the Armory on Saturday, Jan. 20, six years to the day after setting the indoor high-school mark.

At Millrose, among those he will face are the previously announced American Record-holder Bernard Lagat, the defending champion of the Wanamaker Mile who will be seeking his fifth victory; and Australian Craig Mottram, the 2005 World Championships bronze medalist at 5000 meters who will be making his Millrose Games debut.

Organizers also announced that Steve Hooker, the 2006 Commonwealth Games gold medalist ranked the #1 pole vaulter in the world for 2006, will go up against Americans Brad Walker, 2005 World Championships silver medalist and reigning World Indoor Champion ranked #2 in the world; and Toby Stevenson, 2004 Olympic silver medalist.

The addition of Hooker means the 100th Millrose Games will feature both of the world's top pole vaulters, with Russia's Yelena Isinbayeva making her U.S. debut here.

The 100th Millrose Games, the second stop in USA Track & Field's Visa Championship Series, will be held February 2 at Madison Square Garden beginning at 5:45 p.m. For tickets or more information, visit www.Millrose-Games.com. Tickets are also available at Ticketmaster (call 212-307-7171, visit www.Ticketmaster.com or at Ticketmaster outlets); or at the Madison Square Garden box office.