Any disappointment Burns may have of coming up short of his indoor personal best of 4:02.96, breaking the 4-minute barrier, or the national record, can be put far in the rearview mirror as he has a short turnaround for another shot at those opportunities. It's not just another chance, it's an opportunity to race at one of the world's premier track and field showcases for the U.S. high school junior class record holder, who sits 7th on the all-time U.S. high school outdoor list with his 3:58.83
Today he and Hansen will race at the 115th Millrose Games in New York City. The Millrose Games is one of if not the most prestigious indoor track and field meets in the world. Millrose annually attracts many of the best collegiate and professional athletes in the world. Many collegiate and national records have been set at the meet. Five years ago at Millrose, Burns' dad Marc, the former University of Missouri head cross country coach and track and field assistant coach, guided Karissa Schweizer to the 3,000-meter collegiate record at the meet. The meet was held for about 100 years at the multiple venues known as Madison Square Garden, but now is one of over 100 events a year held at The Armory in New York City.
While Burns and Hansen raced against fellow U.S. high schoolers and five athletes from the United Kingdom and Ireland last week, this week they take a step up in competition. The pair will race in the George Hirsch Men's Mile with a few collegians and a handful of professionals. The race is one step down from the famous Wanamaker Mile, the meet's final men's and women's races of the meet. The event has featured many of the world's best middle-distance runners for nearly 100 years. The winner gets their name engraved on the event trophy, which resembles the NHL's Stanley Cup, with multiple levels added below the initial cup, to show off the growing list of winners every year.
