The 2025 Millrose Games saw history being made! Fans were left in awe as Yared Nuguse shattered the indoor world record in the Wanamaker Mile. The Louisville native surpassed the 3:47.01 set by Yomif Kejelcha in 2019 to cement his name in history. He clocked in at a jaw-dropping. 3:46.63 by edging past Hobbs Kessler (3:46.90) and Cam Myers (3:47.48) in a race that will be remembered for years to come. While this achievement is a milestone, Nuguse isn’t done yet! Rather, Nuguse is next setting his sights on a slightly different challenge. Yes, you heard it right! He will soon be seen in a different arena, at a different length! But what is it?

The newly crowned world record holder will be next seen in the inaugural season of the Grand Slam Track League. In the event, Nuguse would be seen pushing his comfort zone by entering a shorter-distance race of 800 m. Speaking to Athletic Weekly on February 10th, he gave a clear picture of his participation. “I’m very excited to see how Grand Slam goes because I feel like it’s something completely new. In my second year [as a pro] I thought: ‘Wow, you kind of just do the same things over and over again. The same races, same people,’ but I think Grand Slam turns that on its head a little bit,” he said to the media agency. Yared Nuguse signed up for the Grand Slam Track League in June last year.

It seems Yared Nuguse does recognize the importance of honing skills in shorter distances. “I get to race the guys who I know are the best and really hone my racing skills against them versus just straight out time trialing like most other races I do are. I think I’m better at the 800m than I give myself credit for. I have a lot of confidence in the 1500m, but not so much in the 5000m or 800m but that’s okay because I know I am fit,” he added. But will GST witness the 800m debut of the two-time Olympian?

Probably not! Because it wouldn’t be the first time that Nuguse will be taking part in 800m. He last ran in the Men’s 800 meters at Hilmur Lodge Stadium in Walnut, California, on 6th May 2023 and finished first with a 1:46.30 mark. And that’s not all, as he has previously run in the category in 2019 as well. Additionally, competing in shorter distances will present both mental and tactical challenges for Nuguse. It would mean being more aggressive and probably needing more endurance.“I think a lot of the time 800m races are just very aggressive, and I bogged down in a lot of aggressive kind of races. So maybe I’ll finally learn to get at least a little aggressive myself and not get caught up at the back, but we will see. I’m excited. I think I’m going to do well,” he further added.

Nuguse has rapidly evolved into one of America’s top middle-distance runners under the guidance of Dathan Ritzenhein, a three-time Olympian and coach at Colorado-based On Athletics Club (OAC). With his further guidance, Nuguse will be making his highly anticipated GST appearance, but it won’t be easy as he might have to compete with some big names on the track.

Yared Nuguse, Josh Kerr, and Cole Hocker Among Top Athletes Ready for Grand Slam Track

The Grand Slam Track League is shaping up to be a game changer, with some of the biggest names in track and field signing on for the events. All three Paris Olympic 1,500m podium finishes have confirmed their participation: gold medalist Cole Hocker, silver medalist Josh Kerr, and bronze medalist Yared Nuguse in the 800m race along with their favorite 1500m.

Cole Hocker can be tough competition as he has taken part in various 800m track races. He last ran an 800m short distance in June 2024 at the Portland Track Festival, where he finished first with an impressive 1:45.63 mark. Before that, as well, Hocker made several 800m appearances in his career, including a PAC-12 Conference third-place finish in May 2021. His personal best in the event is 1:48.44. Thus, claiming a title won’t be easy for Nuguse.

Then comes Josh Kerr, another tough competition for Yared Nuguse. He has a good track record and multiple appearances across 800 m from 2012 to 2024. An interesting fact to add: Josh started his sporting career with 800m in 2012 at the Glasgow AA Milers Meet. His last gold finish in the 800m race was at Oregon Relays in April 2024, where he marked 1:45.94. But his personal best in the event is 1:46.64.

Lastly, Yared Nuguse with a fresh victory and record at the Millrose Games, marking his third consecutive Wanamaker Mile title at the Armory in New York City. He also has an impressive 800m career with a personal best of 1:46.30. But interestingly enough, none of them have come face to face ever in an 800m event. Thus, as the track world and fans eagerly await the debut of the new league, it would be interesting to watch who among the 1500m giants would claim the 800m crown.