Sunday, September 30, 2018

USATF Masters 5Km Cross Country Championships in Buffalo-Individual Championships –Women & Men40+


September 30 2018. BUFFALO NEW YORK – Sunday, September 23rd was a beautiful day for watching Cross Country Races. As the morning wore on to midday, the temperatures at Delaware Park had risen to 64 degrees under fair skies. The combination of sun and mid-60’s was slightly warmer than ideal, but this is about as good as it gets for Cross Country! There had been no rain earlier in the week, so the footing was excellent, with no muddy patches. It was golf course grass with one exception where runners were shunted onto a gravel path for 20-30 meters. Two 2.5 Km loops around a golf course made up the 5 Km course. With few elevation changes, this course should have been about as fast as they come for Cross Country. Of course, cross country distances are measured carefully, but not as precisely as for a road course certification, especially when there is no chalk line to measure along. The consensus among the runners, based on their GPS readings, was that the course was about 3.2 miles, a tad long. If they are right, someone averaging 5 minutes per mile would have taken an extra half minute or so; at 7 minutes per mile, it would be close to an extra 45 seconds.



The first two races of the day, the Men’s 60+ and the Men’s 50+, were covered in recap #1. This installment will cover all age groups for Women, who ran in a single race, and Men 40+, who ran separately from the 50+ and 60+. Officials had to decide on those details early on; as it turned out the races were reasonably evenly subscribed. Sixty women ran; 34, 49, and 74 men respectively ran in the Men 40+, 50+, and 60+ races. A final report will cover Age Grading and Teams. 

[All photos by Andy Martin, Exclamation Services. For all his photos of this race, please visit: www.facebook.com/USATFMasters5kmXC/]



The Women’s race went off at high noon, which included competition for all 5-year age divisions 40-64 through 80-84 as well as team races for 10-year age divisions 40+ through 70+.



WOMEN



Women 40-44

Jill Braley celebrated her 40th birthday on the day of the race and so was eligible to run in her first race as a Masters athlete. And as is sometimes the case, she snuck in under my radar. I knew she had run under 20:00 in recent 5Ks but I should have paid more attention to the 5K races earlier this year and last year where she broke 19 minutes. Once it was known Kathy Wiegand would not be running, I had it as a race between Heather Webster, Sunday Patterson, Heather Patterson, Murphee Hayes, and Liz Gottlieb. Braley was having none of that as she raced out alongside her teammate from the 45-49 division, Sonja Friend-Uhl, both in the hunt for the race victory. By the time they reached the transition area between the two loops, Friend-Uhl had about 20 meters on Matisa Sutera Strange, the gifted runner from the 55-59 division; Strange, in turn had about 15 meters on Braley. In terms of the division race, Braley had a similar margin on Webster in 2nd, followed a few strides later by Gottlieb in the division 3rd place. Those three 40-44 runners had opened up a substantial gap over the chasers, led by S. Patterson, M. Hayes, and H. Patterson. By the end of the 2nd loop, Braley had extended her lead over Webster to 47 seconds. 
Jill Braley with a step and a half on Abby Dean at the end of the first loop at the 2018 USATF Masters 5 Km XC Championship in Buffalo NY

But Webster hung tough in 2nd, putting added distance between her and Gottlieb, who wound up 23 seconds behind in 3rd
Heather Webster strides to the finish knowing her 2nd p[lace division finish was not in jeopardy at the 2018 USATF Masters 5 Km XC Championship in Buffalo NY

A minute later we learned that H. Patterson put in a stronger 2nd lap than S. Patterson, enabling her to pass and hold on for a 4 second margin in 4th place. Hayes was 12 seconds back from S. Patterson. And it was a nice debut for Braley. Her teammate, Friend-Uhl, said of Braley: “Keep an eye on her because she’s a warrior!”

Jill Braley 19:20   Heather Webster 20:29   Liz Gottlieb 20:52



Women 45-49

This division contained two of the contenders to win the Women’s race, Sonja Friend-Uhl and Abby Dean. Caroline Bucci and Alexandra Newman were expected to contend for the final podium spot. I thought Olga Huber and Melissa Senall had a chance, but it was not their day. As mentioned above, Friend-Uhl had the lead at the end of the first loop. Dean was just a step back from Braley, so about 15 meters back from Friend-Uhl. It was a substantial distance back to Newman who had several strides on Bucci at that point. Dean ran well over the 2nd loop but could not cut into Friend-Uhl’s lead, which was 26 seconds at the finish line. 
Sonja Friend-Uhl crusies to victory in the Women's 40+ race and takes the W45 title at the same time at the 2018 USATF Masters 5 Km XC Championship in Buffalo NY

Bucci was able to overtake Newman and carved out a half minute gap to take the Bronze Medal. Friend-Uhl repeated her win from the 5 Km Masters Championship in Tallahassee in 2016. Dean showed that she is a tough competitor in Cross Country now that she is back on her game.

Sonja Friend-Uhl 19:21   Abby Dean 19:47   Caroline Bucci 22:02



Women 50-54

The race unfolded much as expected with Katherine Wolski going out among the top 5 and holding that position throughout, although Amy Fakterowitz was still only a few strides back at the end of the first loop. 
Amy Fakterowitz running in 2nd place in th eW45 division at the end of the first loop at the 2018 USATF Masters 5 Km XC Championship in Buffalo NY

It was a good distance from Fakterowitz back to Michelle Rohl who was in third. Fakterowitz’s teammate, Elizabeth Randell, was about 30 meters further back but had Rohl in her sights and hoped to move up. As it turned out, all 4 ran a strong enough 2nd loop and maintained position. Wolski  pulled away and enjoyed a victory where she did not need a finishing kick to win. 
Katherine Wolski drives to the finish line, claiming 4th place in the Women's Race and taking the W50 title at the same time at the 2018 USATF Masters 5 Km XC Championship in Buffalo NY

Fakterowitz was over a minute behind, as she hung tight for 2nd. A fast second loop for Rohl left her just 19 seconds back from Fakterowitz, with over a half minute margin over Randell who finished in 4th.

Katherine Wolski 19:49   Amy Fakterowitz 21:11   Michelle Rohl 21:30



Women 55-59

Marisa Sutera Strange was the strong favorite and she did not disappoint, showing she is back on her game after an off day in Atlanta at the 5K road championships and a return to form in the mile, but still a loss to teammate, Doreen McCoubrie. Here Strange would be looking to see if she could get a top 5 finish as she did at the Cross Country Nationals in Tallahassee earlier in the year and at the 2017 edition of this Championship in Boston last year. Strange was in 2nd overall at the end of the first loop, but with 3 speedsters from younger divisions not far behind. 
Marisa Sutera Strange, running strong in 2nd place in the Women's Race at the end of the first loop at the 2018 USATF Masters 5 Km XC Championship in Buffalo NY

In the end, Strange gritted her teeth and held on to take 5th overall. In the meantime, she was winning her 55-59 age division by a substantial margin. At the end of the first loop the chase group was well back. Lorraine Jasper had pulled out to lead the chasers, with Karyl Sargent 10-15 meters back, followed by Suzanne Cordes, with Mary Swan just a few strides back. Not only did Strange finish 3rd in the Women’s race, she easily took the win in the division, finishing nearly a minute and a half in front of the division field. Jasper held tight to the end, fending off a challenge by Sargent to take the Silver Medal by 6 seconds! 
Strange's Athena teammate, Lorraine Jasper, takes 2nd in the W55 division at the 2018 USATF Masters 5 Km XC Championship in Buffalo NY

Swan passed Cordes on the second loop to take 4th twenty seconds back. Cordes ran into difficulties on the second loop and did not enjoy the kind of race she had in Atlanta over the final half of the race.

Marisa Sutera Strange 20:01   Lorraine Jasper 21:27   Karyl Sargent 21:33



Women 60-64

Believe it or not, this was the closest race of the day as the first 3 athletes in the Championship finished within 2 seconds of each other-Wow, that was close! Sharon Moore set the pace on the first loop; she was gunning for the win! 
Sharon Moore 143 enjoys the lead at the end of the first loop in the W60-64 division at the 2018 USATF Masters 5 Km XC Championship in Buffalo NY

She had a gap on Ruth Rainero who was followed closely by Patricia Ford, and then another gap back to Cheryl Guth in 4th. The 2nd loop was thrilling as Rainero and Ford both closed on Moore. Who would have the strongest kick? In the end, Rainero had just a little bit more in the tank as she won by a single second. 
The Women's 60-64 Division Race at the 2018 USATF Masters 5 Km XC Championship in Buffalo NY was a doozy. Ruth Rainero 171 won the race by a single second, with Sharon Moore 143 in 2nd place by a single second over Patricia Ford 72

Moore was able to hold on for second place, with Ford a single second behind her in third. Guth came in 4th.

Ruth Rainero 24:44   Sharon Moore 24:45   Patricia Ford 24:46



Women 65-69

This division was the antithesis of the previous one. Not surprisingly, 2017 Runner of the Year, Sabra Harvey, was unchallenged, winning by over 6 minutes. 
Sabra Harvey, 2017 USATF Masters LDR Runner of the year, wins her age division easily while claiming the top Age-Grading spot overall at the same time.

Cindy Ingalls came in well ahead of her teammate, Jeanne Herrick, as they enjoyed 2nd and 3rd place finishes in the division. Linda Rock placed 4th.

Sabra Harvey 21:46   Cindy Ingalls 27:54   Jeanne Herrick 30:17



Women 70-74

Deborah Bliss took the win in a cakewalk, enjoying almost 6 minutes on the field, 
Deborah Bliss enjoys a large winning margin in the 70-74 Division at the 2018 USATF Masters 5 Km XC Championship in Buffalo NY

but Georgia’s Leslie Brass and Kentucky’s Terry Foody had an SEC battle going on that went to Brass by a mere 5 seconds! Carol Rhodes took 4th.

Deborah Bliss 28:55   Deborah Bliss 34:27   Terry Foody 34:32



Women 75-79

Catherine Radle took her third straight win in the division, joining this to her victories in the 5K in Atlanta and the 1 Mile Championships in Flint. Madeline Bost, who knows Cross Country, 
Madeline Bost finishes 2nd in the Women's 75-79 division at the 2018 USATF Masters 5 Km XC Championship in Buffalo NY

was less than 3 minutes back, much closer than in Atlanta.

Catherine Radle 38:27   Madeline Bost 41:24



Women 80-84

Like Radle in the 75-79 division, Tami Graf pocketed her third straight win on the Championship circuit. Graf had no trouble as she won the division by over 6 minutes. 
Tami Graf collects the Women's 80-84 Division win at the 2018 USATF Masters 5 Km XC Championship in Buffalo NY, her third straight national championship this year

Edna Hyer took 2nd and enjoyed herself tremendously, competing in the race with many long-time rivals and friends.

Tami Graf 42:23   Edna Hyer 48:55



MEN 40+
The Men's 40+ race started at 12:45 pm, with the warmest weather of the day. 


Men 40-44

David Angell wanted the trifecta, to win the 40+ race, the Can-Am Challenge and the Age Division. His pre-race research suggested that Michael Gill of Canada could be a threat. Apparently he recently ran a 5000 meter on the track in 15:10. And in the race to win 40+ he had to worry about Philippe Rolly. That gave Angell all the incentive he needed to get out fast and settle into the kind of pace that tends to discourage all but the best XC Masters runners at 5:09-5:10 per mile. Despite Rolly’s best efforts, Angell had opened a gap on him by the end of the first loop. Gill was a few strides behind Rolly, with Brian Lombardo another step and a half back. 
Brian Lombardo in 2nd place at the end of the first loop in the Men's 40-44 Division at the 2018 USATF Masters 5 Km XC Championship in Buffalo NY

Then there was another gap to a chasing pack led by Jake Stookey. 
Jake Stookey 210 leading the Men's 40+ Chase Pack on his way to a 2nd place finish in the Men's 40-44 Division at the 2018 USATF Masters 5 Km XC Championship in Buffalo NY. Kirt Komocki 113 and Tim Rieth 184 kept pace.

It was good to see Stookey back running strong after some slow times recently due to injury. Angell said he definitely slowed in the third mile before picking it up again with the last 600 meters in front of him. He kept both Gill and Rolly at bay, not to mention Lombardo and Stookey, so he achieved his goal of 3 wins in one race! 
David Angell cruises to victory in the Men's 40+ Race while taking the 40-44 Division Title and winning the Can-Am Masters Challenge at the 2018 USATF Masters 5 Km XC Championship in Buffalo NY

Stookey ran strong over the second loop, catching Lombardo and pushing past to build a 16 second gap in taking 2nd place. Lombardo toughed it out to take 3rd, with Tim Rieth 18 seconds back in 4th, followed 8 seconds later by a trio who finished inside a 5 second span-Michael Selig, Shawn Williams, and Josh Harter. Angell commented after the race that he also had an eye on closing out the Individual Grand Prix contest; with this win, he has 500 points, and no one can catch him. That takes the pressure off, so he can enjoy the 15K in Tulsa, the last race of the 2018 series.

David Angell 16:29   Jake Stookey 17:16   Brian Lombardo 17:30



Men 45-49

As noted above, Philippe Rolly would try to stay with Angell to challenge for the M40+ victory, as well as an Age Division Gold Medal. But he would face a group of 3 speedy runners who would challenge him in the division, Kevin Burke, Jonathan Frieder, and Kirt Komocki. Frieder has proven himself to be a tough competitor for Rolly on the roads. Frieder was only 12 seconds back from Rolly at the 8K Championship in Virginia Beach and was even closer at the 10K Championship in Dedham, where Rolly had only a 3 second margin over Frieder. In their only meeting at USATF Cross County Championships, Rolly had an edge of over a minute. Komocki and Burke do not have the road credentials of those two but may be stronger on the turf. Burke and Komocki would also have the incentive of running for their respective team, GVH and Checkers AC, while Frieder’s team, the Garden State Track Club, had clinched the Men’s 40+ Club Grand Prix title already and did not bring a full team. Rolly, in getting out with Angell for the first portion of the race had a gap on the rest of the field by the time they came to the transition to the 2nd loop. 
Philippe Rolly enjoys a substantial lead over the chase pack a the end of the first loop on his way to 45-49 Division Gold at the 2018 USATF Masters 5 Km XC Championship in Buffalo NY

Komocki was running alongside Stookey, at the head of a chase pack that included Frieder. Burke was biding his time a bit further back, hoping to move up over the 2nd loop. All four of those runners held their place on the second loop. Rolly had 16 seconds on Komocki at the finish line, with Frieder another 14 seconds back. 
Kirt Komocki claims 2nd place in the Men's 45-49 Division at the 2018 USATF Masters 5 Km XC Championship in Buffalo NY

Burke never got untracked, finishing just off the podium 22 seconds behind Frieder. Not only does this give Rolly the Masters 5 Km XC Championship, it also moves him within striking distance of Frieder for the 2018 M45 Individual Grand Prix title. Rolly is entered at Tulsa needing to finish third or higher to take the Grand Prix title from Frieder. That assumes Frieder does not run Tulsa; Frieder could enter yet and try to beat Rolly for the first time this year--he should have a better chance on the roads.

Philippe Rolly 17:16   Kirt Komocki 17:32   Jonathan Frieder 17:46



The last installment of the Masters 5 Km XC Championship recap will cover Teams and Age-Grading.

Friday, September 28, 2018

USATF Masters 5Km Cross Country Championships in Buffalo-Recap I-Individual Championships –Men 50-54 through Men 85-89


September 27 2018. BUFFALO NEW YORK – It was a gorgeous day for watching Cross Country races on September 23rd in Delaware Park in Buffalo NY, although perhaps a little warm for running them. But one can hardly complain at temps in the mid-60’s under clear skies and with good footing on the course. Fashionable ‘shades’ were the style statement of the day as it was definitely a singlet and shorts day. The course was a 2.5-kilometer loop around the outskirts of a golf course, grass covered and mostly flat with just a few minor elevation changes of a meter or 2 at most. Those who prefer their XC courses with lots of steep hills, mud, and other challenges would have been disappointed. Like all Cross Country courses, times were slowed by the surface and perhaps by a course that most of the runners thought was longer than the announced 5 kilometers. Any time difference would have been modest, probably less than a minute for most, maybe over a minute for the older age divisions.



Over 200 athletes were entered. I will cover the Age Division contests in the first two races, the Men’s 60 and up and the Men’s 50 and up. The next installment will cover Women 40 and up and Men 40 and up. A final report will cover Age Grading and Teams. 

[Photo Credit: All photos are  by Andy Martin of Exclamation Services. All of his photos for the event can be viewed at:
www.facebook.com/USATFMasters5kmXC/]



First off was the Men 60+ race at 11 AM, which included competition for 5-year age divisions 60-64 through 85-89 as well as highly competitive team races for 10-year age divisions 60+ and 70+.

Hartford Track Club stalwarts, Russell Blatt and George Buchanan lead out the Men's 60+ field at the 2018 USATF Masters 5 Km XC Championships


Men 60-64

The two teammates from the Hartford Track Club, Russell Blatt and George Buchanan, took it out hard when the gun went off, showing Cal Coast’s Brian Nelson that he would have a fight on his hands. They had forged a 3-meter gap in the first 400 meters. Nelson and Timothy Riccardi worked to close the gap while Bob Merritt and Nelson’s teammate, Steve Brumwell, dug hard to maintain contact just behind those first 4. Blatt and Buchanan were able to hold it together all the way to the finish line, with Blatt pulling away from Buchanan in the 2nd lap for a 14 second advantage. 
Russell Blatt races to victory in the Men's 60-64 Division of the 2018 USATF Masters 5 Km XC Championships in Buffalo NY

Even though he was unable to catch them, Nelson fought tough to the line in 3rd, holding off Merritt by 8 seconds. The three GVH teammates, Riccardi, Mark Rybinski, and Kevin Clinefelter, took the next 3 spots 3-5 seconds apart. 
Mark Rybinski with a step on Robert Reynolds as they head out for the 2nd 2.5 km loop at the 2018 USATF Masters 5 Km XC Championships in Buffalo NY

Nelson’s podium finish at a National Championship made the trip from the West 
Brian Nelson brings it home with a podium finish at the 2018 USATF Masters 5 Km XC Championships in Buffalo NY 

Coast worth it!

Russell Blatt 19:20   George Buchanan 19:34   Brian Nelson 19:44



Men 65-69

Folks in this division got sorted out in the first 2.5 km loop and the top runners maintained their positions through the 2nd loop. Frank Gioia was a few steps ahead of his rivals, 
Frank Gioia digging for the finish line and the Men's 65-69 Victory at the 2018 USATF Masters 5 Km XC Championships in Buffalo NY 

claiming a 36 second margin of victory over Butch Caimano, with Hank Schiff closing fast but settling, in the end, for third place, 3 seconds back from Caimano. 
Butch Caimano in the transition area between loops 1 and 2 at the 2018 USATF Masters 5 Km XC Championships in Buffalo NY 

Don Morrison took 4th 45 seconds back. After landing on the podium in Atlanta, this was a nice step up for Gioia.

Frank Gioia 21:36   Butch Caimano 22:12   Hank Schiff 25:13



Men 70-74

Lloyd Hansen and Terry McCluskey, along with their 75-79 teammate, Doug Goodhue, took it out hard, with Dave Glass and Jerry Learned right on their heels. Gene Dykes took a more measured approach for the first kilometer but then asserted himself. By the time they reached the turn onto the 2nd loop, Dykes was in the lead with a 20-meter gap on McCluskey; Rick Katz was 20 meters back from McCluskey,
Terry McCluskey heads out on the 2nd loop in 2nd place Men 70-74, with Frank Gioia and Charles Parchment trying to keep pace at the 2018 USATF Masters 5 Km XC Championships in Buffalo NY 

 with 10 meters more to Hansen, with Jerry Learned only a step behind, and then another 20 meters back to Jim May and Glass. 
Jim May  133 and Dave Glass 81 looking to move up into contention in Men's 70-74 along with May's 60's teammates, Mitch Moore 142 and Robert Slebodnick at the 2018 USATF Masters 5 Km XC Championships in Buffalo NY

Dykes pulled away over the 2nd loop, enjoying a final victory margin of almost a minute. 
Gene Dykes finishes strong to take the Men's 70-74 win at the 2018 USATF Masters 5 Km XC Championships in Buffalo NY 

McCluskey kept his lead over Katz, stretching it in the end to a half minute gap at the finish line. 
Rick Katz claims Bronze in Men's 70-74 just ahead of those intent of good finishes in Men's 60's at the 2018 USATF Masters 5 Km XC Championships in Buffalo NY 

A half minute later Hansen, Learned and Glass all finished in a 14 second interval, with May a little further back in 8th. Hansen made no excuses but may have been feeling the effects of running an 8K XC race, a 5000 Meter race on the track, as well as a 10K and a Half Marathon Road Race all in the span of 10 days in Spain, ending just a week before this race. 

This was the 4th consecutive win for Dykes-the 10K, the Half Marathon, the 5K road, and now the 5 Km XC—quite an auspicious year for Dykes! And a good start for Katz in his first race in a new age division.

Gene Dykes 20:49   Terry McCluskey 21:41   Rick Katz 22:11



Men 75-79

As noted above, Doug Goodhue went out hard at the front of the 70’s group, working with his teamamtes to try for the 70+ team victory. He had a huge gap on the 2nd 75+ runner by the 1-kilometer mark and stretched it from there. By the finish his winning margin was 4 minutes. 
Doug Goodhue, the 'Silver Bullett' showing how to finish like a Champion, claiming another Gold Medal in Men's 75-79 at the 2018 USATF Masters 5 Km XC Championships in Buffalo NY 

The many-time Age Division Runner of the Year and owner of over 50 National Championships is once again in a class by himself. Jim Assal had little trouble with the rest of the field, taking 2nd by over a minute. 
Jim Assal finishing 2nd in Men's 75-79 at the 2018 USATF Masters 5 Km XC Championships in Buffalo NY

Hal Lieberman found it a little harder to shake Ron Mastin but by the end claimed the Bronze Medal with almost half a minute to spare.

Dou Goodhue 22:24   Jim Assal 26:25   Hal Lieberman 27:40



Men 80-84

John Elliott, the holder of a number of National Championships, had no trouble this time, adding one more to his total 
John Elliott claims another National Title in a new Age Division, Men 80-84, at the 2018 USATF Masters 5 Km XC Championships in Buffalo NY

with almost a 6 minute margin over his lone rival, Joe Cordero who took the Silver medal.

John Elliott 30:20   Joe Cordero 36:00



Men 85-89

Hat's off to Eric Sieff, the oldest competitor on the day, who had this division to himself, and enjoyed the win in 40:34.

Eric Seiff conquers the XC course at Delaware Park to take the Men's 85-89 Gold Medal at the 2018 USATF Masters 5 Km XC Championships in Buffalo NY


Eric Sieff 40:34



The second race of the day was the Men’s 50+ race at 11:30 AM, including the 50-54 and 55-59 age division individual competitions as well as the hard fought 50+ team competition.



Men 50-54

The gun sounded, and Tim Van Orden took off with Charles Novak close behind. Novak took 2nd at the Road Mile Masters Championship in August and won the Gold Medal in the 800 Meter at The WMA Championships in Spain a week before. Van Orden probably realized he could not leave matters to the last few hundred meters. Then came Francis Burdett and Tim Harte
Francis Burdett with Tim Harte right on his heels as they head out onto the 2nd loop, fighting for the final Men's 50-54 podium spot at the 2018 USATF Masters 5 Km XC Championships in Buffalo NY

followed by Jim Park and Brad Kelley. Van Orden left nothing to chance, keeping the hammer down over the 2nd loop to win with a 17 second margin.
Tim Van Orden, high stepping his way to victory in Men's 50-54 at the 2018 USATF Masters 5 Km XC Championships in Buffalo NY

Novak had more to worry about but sprinted away from the rest of the field to claim Silver. 
Charles Novak drives for the finish line, claiming the Silver Medal in Men's 50-54 at the 2018 USATF Masters 5 Km XC Championships in Buffalo NY

Twelve seconds back was a 4-runner pack that broke up as Harte took Bronze with 3 seconds on Burdett, followed by Park, 3 more seconds back and finally Kelley, also another 3 seconds back. That was tight! Like Hansen in M70, Burdett made no excuses but may have still been feeling the effects of his exertions in Malaga at the WMA Championships.

Tim Van Orden 17:17   Charles Novak 17:34   Tim Harte 17:46


Men 55-59

Alan Evans is often kidded by his teammates because he likes to run longer races like Half Marathons and marathons. They say they are happy that he runs those longer races, they just wish when he runs the shorter races that he would up his pace a bit. Like most joshing there is at most a germ of truth in the joke. Evans knew he would have to quicken his pace quite a bit for this 5-kilometer race because his 50+ teammate and oft-time running partner, Mike Nier, had been struggling with a hamstring issue and would likely not be at this best. Evans delivered as he had the lead by the end of the first loop with about 10 meters 
Alan Evans strides off to the 2nd loop, aiming to increase his lead in Men's 55-59 at the 2018 USATF Masters 5 Km XC Championships in Buffalo NY

on the 2nd place runner, Jonathan Kline. Kline had a 20-meter lead on Michael Gardella in 3rd. Gardella had a similar gap on Daniel Mazo in 4th, with Casey Carlstrom not far back in 5th. As would be expected for a long-distance specialist, it is tough to get past him on the second loop of a two-loop race. Evans stretched his lead to over half a minute on Kline by the end. Carlstrom was able to move past Gardella on the 2nd loop but was not able to reel in Mazo. Kline had almost half a minute on Mazo; 
Jonathan Kline claims 2nd in Men's 55-59 at the 2018 USATF Masters 5 Km XC Championships in Buffalo NY

Carlstrom was only 7 seconds back from Mazo, who hung tough to the finish line.

Alan Evans 17:57   Jonathan Kline 18:34   Daniel Mazo 19:07

Those races provided a great kick-start to the day of racing. Following them, all Age Divisions of the Women ran in a single race that went off at high noon, with the Men 40+ at 12:45pm. Those last two races will be the subject of the 2nd report.