(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-02-02 14:32

NEW YORK - Kenyan-born American Bernard Lagat out-kicked Australia's Craig Mottram in the year's fastest mile and Adam Nelson dominated the shot put with the season's top performance at the Millrose Games on Friday.

Bernard Lagat, right, wins the Wanamaker Mile for the sixth time at the 101st Millrose Games track and field meet at Madison Square Garden in New York, Friday, Feb. 1, 2008. Lagat won with a time of 3:57.51. Craig Mottram, left, of Australia, finished second and Nick Willis, center, of New Zealand finished third. [Agencies]

Lagat, the world 1,500 and 5,000 metres champion, passed Mottram with less than two laps to go on the Madison Square Garden track and won in 3:57.51. Mottram was second in 3:57.90.

"I'm in love with the track and I'm in love with these fans," Lagat said after his fourth consecutive victory in the Wanamaker Mile.

"There's something about the national anthem before the race that really gets me in my heart and makes me want to run all out."

Lagat is using the indoor season to help him prepare for his first Olympics as a U.S. competitor. He won the silver medal in the 1,500 metres representing Kenya at the 2004 Athens Games.

Mottram expressed disappointment at the slow pace of the race in the early stages.

"The race is what I expected, except the pacemaker started slow. That was frustrating," the Australian said.

"I knew Bernard was going to come at some point. I had to just hold on."

Mottram said he tried to catch Lagat on the final lap, "but Bernard is too good on this (banked track)."

Nelson's shot put of 22.07 metres bested a strong field that included reigning world indoor and outdoor champion Reese Hoffa and 2004 world indoor winner Christian Cantwell.

"Christian opened with a strong throw and I had to respond to that," Nelson said. "This is the best shape I have been in at this time of year."

Cantwell finished second with a put of 21.33 metres with Hoffa third with 21.13.

World indoor champion Leonard Scott returned from surgery on both knees to win the 60 metres, blowing past the field in 6.59 seconds. Carmelita Jeter edged fellow American Miki Barber in the women's 60, winning in 7.29 seconds.

Jillian Schwartz upset world leader Jenn Stuczynski to win the women's pole vault. Both cleared 4.63 metres but Schwartz prevailed on fewer misses.

American Tommy Skipper out-duelled countryman Derek Miles to win the men's pole vault by clearing 5.7 metres. World outdoor champion Brad Walker finished a disappointing fifth.