2025 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Collegiate Invitational

Biggest Surprises from the University of New Mexico's MLK Invitational

Biggest Surprises from the University of New Mexico's MLK Invitational

A lot of takeaways from the MLK Invitational this past weekend!

Jan 27, 2025 by Nia Gibson
Biggest Surprises from the University of New Mexico's MLK Invitational

Pamela Kosgei’s Record-Breaking Mile
University of New Mexico freshman Pamela Kosgei had a standout performance in the MLK Invitational mile, leaving spectators in awe as she surged ahead of the competition.

From start to finish, she steadily increased her lead, crossing the line with a time of 4:36.70 (or 4:30.67 when adjusted for altitude). In doing so, she broke the school record and the facility record. 

What’s even more impressive is that the mile isn't even Kosgei's specialty event, as she typically excels over longer distances. This victory is a sign of things to come, as the young athlete continues to showcase her remarkable versatility. After the race, both Kosgei and Head Coach Darren Gauson were clearly pleased with the result, sharing smiles and reflecting on her outstanding performance.

Brandon Miller’s Dominant Season Opener
Brooks Beast mid-distance olympian Brandon Miller came out strong in his season debut, running an impressive 1:45.60 in the Invitational 800m. 

From the gun, Miller took charge of the race. He ran a controlled yet swift pace that left little chance for anyone to challenge him. His performance shows that he’s in excellent form early in the season, a promising sign as he eyes a major goal in the coming weeks. Miller is gearing up to chase the 600m world record at the Millrose Games, which take place on Saturday, February 8. If he maintains this level of performance, breaking the record seems well within his reach, and fans can expect an electrifying race in New York.

Battle to the End in the Men’s Invitational Mile
The Men’s Invitational Mile was one of the most exciting races of the meet, featuring a head-to-head battle between University of New Mexico freshman Collins Kiprotich and Brooks Beast’s Waleed Suliman. 

The two runners stayed locked together throughout the entire race, trading positions and pushing each other to their limits. In the final stretch, Kiprotich managed to pull ahead by the slimmest of margins, crossing the line in 3:58.60. Suliman followed closely behind at 3:58.65.

The close finish left the crowd buzzing. Both runners gave it their all, and Kiprotich’s victory marked an impressive early milestone in his collegiate career.

FloTrack Is The Streaming Home For Many Track And Field Meets Each Year

Don't miss all of the track & field action streaming on FloTrack. Check out the FloTrack schedule for more events.

FloTrack Archived Footage

Video footage from each event will be archived and stored in a video library for FloTrack subscribers to watch for the duration of their subscriptions.

Join The Track & Field Conversation On Social