TRACK AND FIELD / MILLROSE GAMES : Coghlan Goes for 8th Wanamaker Win

Eamonn Coghlan has run two races since coming out of retirement, but he says they were just warm-ups and his comeback on the indoor track circuit will really begin in the Wanamaker Mile tonight at the Millrose Games in Madison Square Garden.

“I can’t wait to get to the starting line for the Wanamaker Mile,” Coghlan told the Associated Press.

“I live in New York. I’ve won the race seven times, and there’s the tradition of the event. So many of the same people come to the Millrose Games every year that I feel I’ve been taken into their homes and hearts.

“That’s what I will be looking to do again Friday night.”

The world record-holder in the indoor mile, Coghlan entered the 3,000 meters, but he switched to the mile this week after running a 4:02.78 mile at Portland two weeks ago.

“I was very disappointed in my performance at Portland,” Coghlan said. “I was tired and my legs were very heavy. I’ve never experienced a race like that. I trained hard for that race, but I was too busy running around until the day of the race . . . doing a lot of PR work.

“I hope to raise my level of performance Friday night. I think I’m putting my head on the chopping block by going in the mile. If I don’t win, I may be criticized because my ambition will be higher than my ability. If I win, it will be great.”

Coghlan may have trouble realizing his ambition.

He faces a strong field, which includes defending champion Marcus O’Sullivan and Ray Flynn, who defeated Coghlan at Portland. Flynn was timed in 3:58.35

Coghlan, 37, announced his retirement in December, 1988, after sustaining a hairline fracture of his right leg, plus neck and back injuries in an automobile accident. But now he’s back.

The women’s mile also figures to be a competitive race. Paula Ivan of Romania, forced to drop out of a race at the Los Angeles Sports Arena on Jan. 19 after injuring her left foot, heads the field, which includes PattiSue Plumer, the winner in L.A.

The men’s 55-meter hurdles race also has a strong field, including Roger Kingdom, Greg Foster, Renaldo Nehemiah and Al Joyner.

Jackie Joyner-Kersee, an Olympic gold medalist, heads the field in the women’s 55-meter hurdles. She’ll be challenged by Kim McKenzie.

Danny Everett, Danny Harris and Butch Reynolds are entered in the men’s 600-meter run.