Willis targets wins, not pace, in 2009

New Zealand runner Nick Willis starts his 2009 north American athletics campaign with the Wanamaker Mile at the 102nd Millrose Games in New York on January 30.

He then plans to contest the mile at the Reebok Boston Indoor Games on February 7, before heading homewards for three outdoor races in Melbourne, Wellington, where he will run a road mile on March 10, and Christchurch three days later.

Willis said on a conference call yesterday with New York sportswriters that he would "love to break 3:30" for the 1500m on an outdoor track, but his principle focus was winning races.

"I'd much rather win a race in 3:30.5 than get third in 3:29. My goal is to win as many races as I can this year, including the world championships."

This year's world championships are in Germany in August where Willis wants to become New Zealand's first championships 1500m medallist.

Willis had a storybook year in 2008, winning an Olympic Games 1500m bronze medal and topping off his season by overpowering Kenyan-born American Bernard Lagat to win his first Fifth Avenue Mile in New York.

American-based Willis will again face Lagat in the Wanamaker, which the Kenyan runner has won six times.

Lagat is bidding to tie Irishman Eamonn Coughlan's meet record of seven Wanamaker victories.

"I'm really, really exited to open my season here," Willis said.

-NZPA