July 17, 2026. Welcome to my blog! I report on Masters Elite LDR. In addition to this current story recapping the 2026 USATF Masters 4 Mile Championships, I cover most USATF Masters LDR Championships., I report on middle distance events at some USATF Masters Indoor and Outdoor Championships. I reported on the one World Cross Country Championship that included Masters competition, Australia 2022. I regularly cover the Non-Stadia Road Race Events at World Masters Athletics Championships. I cover other road races from time to time. See the sidebar for easy navigation through the archives. [If you are using a mobile phone, please scroll to the bottom and choose 'View web version' to access the sidebar.] While there, please note the coffee cup logo. Clicking on that provides a way for you to express your appreciation for the work that goes into these articles. Shout out here to recent supporters, Matt B-C, John H (2), Lorilynn B, Bryan H,, Brendan, cush, Gary G, Jan F, Aaron T-L, Ken Y, Peter W, Dan K, Suzanne L B, Michael M, Ed B, Dana H, John B, Bill A (2), John & Amy M, Jay L, Tim L, Mike M. May you have good speed in 2026! and beyond!
NOTE: I began this preview several days ago before I realized that smoke from Wildfires in Canada and Northern Minnesota would be picked up and spread across the Great Lakes and Northeast US, not to mention, southern Ontario and Quebec. More importantly for our purposes, they are creating poor Air Quality in northern Ohio where the Outdoor Championships are taking place. At 11 AM Friday, July 17th, the AQI reading for Geneva OH was 469 HAZARDOUS. It had been slightly better Thursday morning, but not enough to avoid cancellation of many events on that day. They ran the 'Outdoor' 5000M as an Indoor Track race at 3000M. But the fields were reduced as some, perhaps, chose not to make the trip. [For example, only 7 of the 18 athletes entered for M55 actually made it to the starting line.] Events today are cancelled. It is unclear at this point if the Saturday and Sunday scheduled events can take place. That includes the Road Race which is set for Saturday morning at 6:30 AM. Regardless, I am posting this preview today in hopes that the race can take place. Rain is supposed to take place across Michigan's Upper Peninsula and lower Ontario; perhaps that will help? But even if not, it is probably worth a read for anyone interested in an update on the fitness of those athletes entered in the road race. Some of the divisions had deep fields of top runners where the races were likely to be exciting. It is disappointing for the competitors but, as always, health comes first.
Prologue: It has long been a challenge for Masters Track and Field TF to stage the 10,000 meter run on the track. There are multiple heats and each heat takes anywhere from 40 minutes to well over an hour. Last year, for the first time, they staged a 10K Road Race as a substitute. They are repeating that this year. With encouragement from the USATF National Office, the Masters LDR Committee agreed that the 2026 edition of this road race would also count for points in its Masters National Grand Prix. It is worth pointing out that the Age Division winners at this race are not the national 10Km Road Champions. Those champions were crowned in Dedham MA at the end of April.
Although I have not seen it specifically stated, I assume the road race also carries team points for the Masters TF Team competition and that the top finishers in each age division receive the same medals that are awarded to their counterparts on the track. Some, perhaps most, of the athletes competing in the road race are also competing in track events, either before or after the road race. Unlike a typical road race championship, one cannot be sure that an athlete is devoting full fitness to the event. Their resources may be somewhat depleted from earlier efforts, or they may need to save something for an event that takes place after the road race. [Note: Only the latter complication is relevant in this case.] The Road Race is scheduled for 6:30 AM on Saturday. The 5000M is contested Thursday morning; the Steeplechase Friday midday; the 800M on Saturday morning; and the 1500M Sunday morning.
The Road Race was scheduled for 6:30 AM in the hope that the weather would be as cool as possible. Ohio can be hot and humid in the summer. Geneva is located within a few miles of Lake Erie, which tends to moderate temperatures. The forecast for Saturday between 6:30 and 7:30 AM shows the risk of rain showers has passed, a temperature of 69 F, with relative humidity at 91% and dew point of 66 under cloudy skies. That suggests it will be a bit sticky but not hot, per se. The cloud cover also helps. That is about as good as one could hope for in July. Still, were this a typical community road race, the organizers would likely issue a code yellow warning such as the Utica Boilermaker's Code Yellow: 'Moderate risk of heat injury, consider slowing your pace.'
Because the road race is part of a national TF Championship, there are athletes entered who rarely compete in Masters LDR (road) Championships. It is a healthy mix of road racers mostly, track racers mostly, and those who regularly do both. Who looks competitive in the various divisions?
WOMEN 40-44 3 entries. Caroline Cobb District Elite Athletic Club; April Lund GYS Track Club TC; and Kristin Meadors Unaffiliated just need to complete the race Saturday morning to mount the podium. Lund is the heavy favorite to win.
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| April Lund white singlet Pushes the Pace in the lead pack on her way to victory at the 2024 Masters 5 Km Championships in Atlanta GA Photo courtesy of Atlanta Track Club |
Lund is a national and international champion. She claimed the Overall 5 Km (road) national Masters championship over a strong field in Atlanta in February 2025 with a scintillating 16:58! Even though it is an overall downhill race, Lund's 35:38 10K at the QB Montana Marathon last October shows Lund still has speed to burn. Cobb appears to have the edge over Meadors. Cobb clocked 40:11 at the Queens 10K in NYC last month. Last December she turned in a 1:06:24 effort at the Ted Corbitt 15K, also in NYC. Meadors is not far off that level. She ran 3:12:41 at the New York City Marathon last November. The only shorter race result I find is a 43:37 10K at the Rabun Ramble in July 2023. Lund is favored to take full points, with Cobb likely to edge Meadors for 2nd place.
Top Podium Contenders in Alphabetical Order:
Caroline Cobb April Lund Kristen Meadors
45-49 5 entries Hidi Gaff Three Rivers R-acing and Dana Hayden Unaffiliated should enjoy a good race for the win, with Gaff having a slight edge. On June 13, Gaff ran 18:33 at the Brian Diemer 5K and followed that a week later with an 18:22 5k at the Indianapolis Monumental Mile. Hayden is battle tested at recent national championships. She finished second in this division at the Masters 10 Km Championships in Dedham at the end of April in 39:30.
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| Dana Hayden Finishes Strong to take the W45 =Silver Medal at the 2026 USATF Masters 1 Mile Championships at the Grand Blue Mile in Des Moines Photo courtesy of Grand Blue Mile |
Hayden finished second overall at the Masters 1 Mile Championships five days earlier in 5:34.3. Most recently, in early June, Hayden finished second at the Masters 4 Mile Championships in Peoria IL with a 25:24. Those two should take care of gold and silver in this division. Melissa Anderson Dayton TC will challenge Brooke Novak Atlanta TC for bronze. If I have the right Melissa Anderson, she ran 20:43 at the B.A.A. 5K in April of 2025. Novak finished third at the 1 Mile Championships in mid-April with her 6:42.7. Last month she ran 20:01 at the Teardrop 5K in Georgia. Novak appears to have a slight edge but it could go either way.
Top Podium Contenders in Alphabetical Order:
Heidi Gaff Dana Harvey Brooke Novak
50-54 6 entries This division is strong up front. Laura Scholz Atlanta TC, who finished second W45 in the 2025 Masters 4 Mile Championships in Peoria, is unlikely to make the podium. Lindsay Brogan Kansas City Smoke ran 22:47 at the Mother's Day 5K in May of 2025. But she clocked a much swifter 19:57 5K at a Turkey Trot in November. Her 3:13:54 at the Garmin Marathon a month before the Mothers Day 5K also suggests that was a slow time for Brogan. Not so long ago, Abby Dean Greater Philadelphia TC was running sub-40 10K's. A few niggling injuries over the past couple of years have slowed her down. Still, she finished fourth W50 at the 10 Km Masters Championships in April 2025, with a 41:12.. This spring, she clocked 43:35 in the 10K at the Delaware Run Fest. In June, Dean ran a 33:42 at the Moorestown Rotary 8K, roughly equivalent to a 42:30 or better 10K. Her teammate, Sara Girotto Greater Philadelphia TC. may be the best of the bunch. Girotto enjoyed W45 wins at the 5K, 12K and Half Marathon in 2022 and defended her 2022 5K title in 2023. This past January she won W50 at the highly competitive Club Cross Champion4ships in Tallahassee. This May, Girotto clocked 1:03:53 at the fast BCBS Ten-Mile Run, roughly equivalent to a sub-39-minute 10K. Her 19:11 5K last month reinforces the notion that she is in good form.
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| Sara Girotto finishes third Overall and first in W4 at the 2022 Masters 12 Km Championships in Highlands NJ Photo by Jason Timochko |
Girotto is likely the runner to beat, with Brogan and Dean not far off but likely vying for second place. There is one 'wild card' entered that could upset things. Jeanette Boyd Eastern Buckeye TC keeps her Athlinks results in a private profile. A google search reveals that the XCTF Coach at Union City HS finished second overall and first Masters at the Lake Erie Association Cross Country Championships last November. Boyd was All Conference at Edinboro State. Boyd could crack the top three but it is hard to suggest a place finish.
Top Podium Contenders in Alphabetical Order:
Lindsay Brogan Abby Dean Sara Girotto
55-59 11 entries. Even with lots of entries and a fair number of strong runners, one stands out as the favorite. Amy Halseth Prado Racing won W55 at the very competitive 2024 Club Cross Country Championships in Tacoma. In March oof this year, Halseth ran a 1:27:28 GOVX San Diego Half Marathon, roughly equivalent to a sub-40 10K. Her 18:34 at Carlsbad this April shows she has speed to go with her endurance. Anabelle Broadbent Greater Philadelphia TC; Teresa Ferguson Unaffiliated; Katherine Huggins Unaffiliated; and Josephine Weeden Dearborn TC are the likely favorites to battle for the other podium spots. Broadbent has run 5K's in the 21:46 to 22:12 range this year. In 2024, Broadbent finished 4th W55 at the 12K Masters Championships in New Jersey with a 57:31 effort, roughly equivalent to a 47:30 10K. Ferguson ran 44:53 at the Draft Day 5K in April 2025. On June 14th this year, Ferguson ran 20:31 at the Training Camp 5K.
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| Katherine Huggins finishes off her W50 Silver Medal Run at the 2024 USATF Masters 12 Km Championships in Highlands NJ Photo by Jason Timochko |
Last fall, Huggins ran 1:12:05 at the EQT Pittsburgh 10 Miler, roughly equivalent to a sub-45-minute 10K. In March, she clocked 1:34:03 at the UA NYC Half Marathon. This spring she has run 5K's in 21:05 and 20:56. Last December, Weeden ran 1:36:39 at the Holiday Half Marathon in Florida. On April 12th she ran 22:04 at the Big House 5K. Weeden followed that in May with a 3:24:42 effort at the Bayshore Marathon. It looks like Ferguson and Huggins will battle for second and third, but Weeden is certainly not far off and Broadbent could surprise.
Top Podium Contenders in Alphabetical Order:
Teresa Ferguson Amy Halseth Katherine Huggins
60-64 9 entries. Here, too, there is one name that stands out. Lisa Veneziano Unaffiliated holds the W55 12K American Record AR at 46:13 and the W60 1 Mile (road) AR at 5:39.2.
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| Lisa Veneziano finishing off her American Record-Breaking Run at the 2025 USATF Masters 1 Mile Championships, Hosted by the Indianapolis Monumental Mile Photo by Terry Fletcher, courtesy of Beyond Monumental |
In March 2025, Veneziano ran a 39:37 at the McKirdy Micro 10K. This May she clocked 1:26:55 at the Dexter -Ann Arbor Half marathon, roughly equivalent to a sub-39:30 10K. She followed that on June 14th with an 18:51 at the Brian Diemer 5K. Veneziano is probably the only runner in the field capable of breaking 40 minutes in a 10K. Cindy Blakely-Cameron SoCal TC ran 5K's this spring in the 20:47 to 22:06 range. Last year, she clocked 46:53 at the Senior Games 10K. Blakely-Cameron ran 44:15 at the Plaza 10K in September of last year. Noriko Charnley Garden State TC matches well. Last year she ran 45:15 at the Ridgewood 10K. This year Charnley clocked 21:30 at the Fitzgerald Lager 5K. Kris Huff may have the edge on those two. In February 2024, Huff finished 4th in the Masters 5K Championships over a typically hilly% Atlanta course in 22:07. Five months later, Huff ran a 43:27 10K at the AJC Peachtree 10K. In October of last year, she finished 3rd W60 at the 2025 Masters 5K Championships with a 22:36. Interestingly, Pamela Ricker Shore Athletic Club AC enjoyed recent head-to-head contests with both Blakely-Cameron and Huff. At the 2025 Senior Games 10K, Ricker won the W60 heat in 45:44, a good minute ahead of Blakely-Cameron. At the 2025 Masters 5 km Championships in Atlanta, Ricker finished three seconds ahead of Huff to claim the silver W60 medal. But Huff reversed the tables at the 2025 Masters 4 km Championships in Peoria. Huff won in 28:03, with Ricker second at 29:08. Barring unforeseen developments, Veneziano should win. After that it looks like an interesting rematch between Huff and Ricker. But Blakely-Cameron and Charnley are competitive; if the day goes their way, either could wind up on the podium.
Top Podium Contenders in Alphabetical Order:
Kris Huff Pamela Ricker Lisa Veneziano
65-69 6 entries. If not for the presence of her teammate, Patrice Combs Atlanta TC would likely have a smooth path to the win. Combs won W65 at the 2025 Masters 10 Km Championships in 44:12. Combs followed that up this year with a 29:14 W65 win at the Masters 4 Mile championships in Peoria. That is roughly equivalent to a 45:30 10K.
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| Patrice Combs On Her Way to W65 Victory at the 2026 USATF Masters 4 Mile Championships, Hosted by the Steamboat Classic in Peoria IL Photo Courtesy f Steamboat Classic |
Her teammate, Lesley Hinz Atlanta TC is primarily a middle-distance athlete on the track. But she has proven versatile on the roads to help her team. This year she won the Masters 10 Km W65 Championship, in Combs's absence, in 46:26. Hinz also finished 3rd W65 at the Road Mile championships in Des Moines with a 6:29 effort. Combs is still the favorite, but Hinz's combination of speed and endurance means she will contend. Debbie Lee SoCal TC and Robin Tanner Atlanta TC will likelyt vie for the bronze medal. Lee, also primarily a middle-distance runner, appears to be faster over distances 5K and below. Lee ran a 24:40 Turkey Trot 5K last November and a 6:23.8 1500M this spring. Tanner ran a 26:12 5K at the Cherokee Turkey Strut last November. Earlier last year, Tanner ran 54:11 at the Masters 10 Km Championships. Lee is faster so is perhaps the favorite to take the bronze medal. But the longer distance works in Tanner's favor and could help on a warm day.
Top Podium Contenders in Alphabetical Order:
Patrice Combs Lesley Hinz Debbie Lee
70-74 Given recent fitness, it appears that =Miriam Paulus Dayton TC may have the best shot at the win. She ran a 47:18 5 Miler at the Miamisburg Turkey Trot last fall. That is equivalent to a sub-60 10K This spring, Paulus ran a 26:41 Memorial Day 5K. Cindy Lucking Atlanta TC finished 4th W70 at the Masters 10 Km Championships this April with a 1:02:39 chip time. Lucking's outing at the 4 Mile Championships in June was not quite as string. She finished 4th W70 again but the equivalent 10K time for her 42:18 is around 1:06 for a 10K.
Cindy Wildman's Springbok TC recent record suggests he can carry as fast a pace, or faster, when running a 10K compared to a 5K. Her two 5K times this spring are 34:55 and 35:35. Her two 10K times are 1:08:48 and 1:06:45. That is still not fast enough to match Luckings' 10K time from April, but it is close to Luckings' 10K-equivalent effort in June. And a question remains as to whether Wildman, or even Lucking, can beat Mary Lou Mayhugh Potomac Valley TC. McHugh's 5K efforts this May and June included a 29:41, 33:40, 29:23, 30:28, and 27:54. The fastest of those equates to a 57:13 10K. But her only actual 10K in the last two years that I can find is the Little Bennet Cross County (not Cross Country) Run where she ran 1:11:34. That suggests that Mayhugh would be a real threat at 5K but perhaps not so much of a threat at 10K. In the end, it looks like Paulus is the favorite, with Lucking having the edge for 2nd place over Wildman. If Mayhugh's 1:11:34 was a test run or slower than what she is capable of for any other reason, she might yet find herself on the podium.
Cindy Lucking On Her Way to a 4th Place W70 Finish at the 2026 USATF Masters 4 Mile Championships, Hosted by the Steamboat Classic in Peoria IL Photo Courtesy f Steamboat Classic
Top Podium Contenders in Alphabetical Order:
Cynthia Lucking Miriam Paulus Cindy Wildman
75-79 3 entries. Three Atlanta TC teammates are entered: Kathleen Allen, Norma Hudnall, and Andrea McCarter. Atlanta will definitely get team points for the TF competition. Ghe three runners should sort themselves as Hudnall-Allen-McCarter. When both Allenn and Hudnall competed at the 5K Masters Championships in Atlanta last October, Hudnall finished more than three minutes ahead of Allen. At the 4 Mile Championships, Allen finished seven minutes ahead of McCarter. These are good examples of the differences in times over a longer period. No prediction is ever certain, but it seems a strong likelihood that their finishing order would be Hudnall first, Allen second, and Mccarter third.
Top Podium Contenders in Alphabetical Order:
Kathleen Allen Norma Hudnall Andrea McCarter
80-84 No entries.
85-89 1 entry. Joyce Hodges-Hite Atlanta TC is, literally, in a class by herself.. Well on her way to a second con5secutive W85 Grand Prix win, Hodges-Hite will collect another 100 Grand Prix points when she finishes.
Only Contender:
Joyce Hodges-Hite
MEN 40-44 5 entries. Nicholas Kipruto Unaffiliated has had a productive spring. He finished 2nd Overall at the Masters Road Mile Championships in Des Moines in 4:34; won the 10 Km overall championship in Dedham MA in 31:26; and the 4 Mile championships in Peoria in 20:05.
Bryan Morseman Unaffiliated is very strong but not quite at that level. His recent results include a 2:26:03 at the Vermont City marathon in May 2025; a 1:10:10 at the Cape Cod Marathon last October; and a 1:12:00 Half Marathon at the Philadelphia Marathon in November. The fastest of those is consistent with a sub 32:30 10K. But that focus on longer distances suggests the equivalence may be too favorable relative to reality. We shall find out on Saturday. Between last October and this May, David Proudfoot Unaffiliated ran 5K's in 16: 21, 16:14 and 16:46. In January, Proudfoot clocked 1:15:31 at the Naples HM, equivalent roughly to a 34:30 10K. Barring unforeseen difficulties, it does not seem likely ether of the other entries can threaten for the podium.
Nicholas Kipruto Claims the Overall Win and the M40 Win at the 2026 USATF Masters 4 Mile Championships, Hosted by the Steamboat Classic in Peoria IL Photo Courtesy f Steamboat Classic
Top Podium Contenders in Alphabetical Order:
Nicholas Kipruto Bryan Morseman David Proudfoot
45-49 5 entries. David Angell Roanoke Valley Elite and Dickson Mercer GRC Tracksmith should battle for the win. In 2025 when they met at the 4 Mile Championships in Peoria, Angell came in 11 seconds ahead of Mercer in 20:42. This year, as Angell moves toward joining the M50 division and Mercer newly arrived from M40, it has been a different story. Mercer came in 30 seconds ahead of Angell at the Masters 10 Km Championships with a fine 33:20 effort. At the 4 Mile Championships in Peoria in June, Angell had an off day, and Mercer's 21:30 brought him home a good minute ahead of Angell.
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| Dickson Mercer #5352 Battles His Way to a Top 30 Overall Finish at the Highly Competitive 2025 USATF Club Cross Country Championships in Tallahassee FL Photo by Michael Scott |
Based on recent evidence, one has to say Mercer is a slight favorite. Alejandro Alcaraz Mexico looks to be the next strongest runner, with a 34:35 10K at the Silicon Valley Turkey Trot last November. Jed Koops Unaffiliated who ran a 30:15 8K on June 27th, will challenge Al araz for the third-place points. His 8K is equivalent to a 38-minute 10K.
Top Podium Contenders in Alphabetical Order:
Alejandro Alcaraz David Angell Dickson Mercer
50-54 6 entries. Peter Boyd Eastern Buckeye TC is one of two runners entered with a recent sub-40 10K. Boyd ran 36:30 at the 2023 Hamot 10K. Three years later, Boyd would need to run a 37:27 10K to achieve the same age grade score. On April 4th of this year, Boyd ran 18:15 in the Hippity Hop 5K, roughly equivalent to a sub-37:30 10K. Anderson Norton Blacksburg Striders ran a 17:42 5K on July 4th of last year, equivalent to a low 36-minute 10K. His 1:24:00 at the Hokie Half Marathon last September is equivalent to a sub-38:30 10K. It looks as if the competition between Boyd and Norton could go either way.
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| Anderson Norton #479. Leads the Blacksburg Striders to the M50+ Team Victory at the 2024 USATF Cross Country Championships in Richmond VA Photo by Michael S-cott |
Norton's teammate, Bradley Paye Blacksburg Striders seem8s a good bet for third. He ran 1:27:55 at the Hokie HM last September. His July 4th 5K last year was 19:44. The HM has a low 40's 10K equivalent and the 19:44 5K seems consistent with that. John Jakob Eastern Buckeye TC will challenge Paye for the bronze. Jakob has recently been a pretty consistent 42-minute 10K runner. His last four 10K's are: 42:27 at the Goodyear Half Marathon last August; 41:59 at the Haunted Island 10K last October; 42:21 at the Peninsula Shamrock 10K in March of this year; and a 42:27 10K at the Dexter-Ann Arbor HM on May 30th. To be fair, he ran two 10K's last year in 40:35 and 40:10. He could well give Paye a run for the bronze.
Top Podium Contenders in Alphabetical Order:
Peter Boyd Anderson Norton Bradley Paye
55-59 15 entries. Despite the explosion in the number of entries, this should again, like the 10K Masters Championships in late April and the 4 Mile Championships in June, be a contest between friendly rivals, Shane Anthony Shore AC and Gregory Putnam Central Mass Striders. Anthony enjoyed the edge on the turf at Tallahassee. But Putnam has ruled on the roads since then. After battling for over 5 miles at the 10 Km Championships in Dedham MA, Putnam was able to pull away for the M55 win in 35:20.
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| Gregory Putnam On His Way to M55 Victory at the 2026 USATF Masters 4 Mile Championships, Hosted by the Steamboat Classic in Peoria IL Photo Courtesy of Steamboat% Classic |
Anthony was second at 35:30. It was a similar story at the Masters 4 Mile Championships except it was even closer! Putnam had to sprint with all his might and main to edge Anthony for the M55 win by just two seconds, 22:37 to 22:39! They will go at it again! Is Putnam's hamstring ready to roll? Will Putnam get his third straight win, or will Anthony prevail, as he did at Tallahassee?! Can anyone match those two? Were he at full fitness, there is no doubt that John Fernandez would be thoroughly in the mix for the win. In August 2024, Fernandez won the Masters 10 Mile M55 Championship over the tough Crim course in Flint Michigan in 58:35. He and Craig Godwin enjoyed a dan9dy duel just over a month later over the challenging Fort Ben course outside of Indianapolis. Godwin took the M55 win in 1:16:11: Fernandez was second, just six seconds back! Last October Fernndez clocked 35:14 at the Minster Oktoberfest 10K. But then his hamstring acted up. After a period of rehab, Fernandez is on his way back. Fernandez tested it at the 4th of July YMCA 2 Mile in Canton OH, and was able to run 10:50. Things looked positive for this race. But the hamstring acted up a few days later and Fernandez has had to ease into the championships. As of now, he plans to skip the 5000M and perhaps just give the 10K Road Race his full attention. Everyone hopes for the best and wishes him well, but it may be too much to hope that Fernandez can compete for the win. Another potential contender, Michael Resterhouse Amp Up Sports TF, who ran a 36:44 10K last year at the Bayshore Marathon, may be sidelined with a calf issue. James Scanlan Excelsior Running Club ran a 1:24:34 Half Marathon at the Oakland Marathon in March. That equates to a sub-37-minute 10K. Scanlan's subsequent 30:02 5 Miler at the Marin memorial Day run has an equivalence closer to 37:30. Still, if neither Fernandez nor Resterhouse can go at full speed, Scanlan could well find himself on the podium. Jason Newport Unaffiliated has a few solid races at national championships under his belt, including a tenth-place finish in 39:10 at the 10 Km Championships. Given the injury situation, Scanlan might be the best pick for third place.
Top Podium Contenders in Alphabetical Order:
Shane Anthony Gregory Putnam James Scanlan
60-64 16 entries. Nat Larson Greater Springfield Harriers and John Van Danacker Twin Cities Running Company should enjoy another battle for the win. When he first entered the M60 division, Larson was unstoppable. In the first year and a half, he was unbeaten and set American Records at every distance from the 1 Mile to the Half Marathon. His fitness has been up and down since then, partly due to a ski accident but also to dealing with niggling injuries. Nonetheless, Larson's recent outings have been positive. He won the M60 10 Km Championship in Dedham MA in late April at 36:24. In early June, at the 4 Mile Championships, he survived a challenge from Van Danacker, while finishing second to his teammate, Mark Hixson, who is not entered here. Larson's 23:29 gave him a seven second edge over Van Danacker, who finished third. Larson and Van Danacker should have another battle. But until Van Danacker gets a win on the roads against him, Larson remains the favorite.
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| Nat Larson Finishes Off His M60 Silver Medal Performance at the 2026 USATF Masters 4 Mile Championships, Hosted by the Steamboat Classic in Peoria IL Photo Courtesy of Steamboat% Classic |
They will have to contend with John McMahon Checkers AC who just moved up from M55. Last year, McMahon ran 23:04 to finish 3rd in M55. That was a half-minute faster than Larson and Van Danacker ran this year. But to be fair, conditions were a little cooler last year than this and a number of folks ran a half minute slower, or more, this year than last. It should be a great three-way race for the win. I give Larson a slight edge over the other two. All are impressive runners! Mike Nier Genesee Valley Harriers finished fourth M60 in Dedham at the Masters 10 Km Championships in 38:24. Should any one of the three above have an off day or not make it, Nier is the most likely runner to join the others on the podium.
Top Podium Contenders in Alphabetical Order:
Nat Larson John McMahon John Van Danacker
65-69 14 entries. The name that jumps out in this division is Rick Lee Greater Philadelphia TC. He turned 65 recently and has already broken a World Record in the M65 Steeplechase with a 7:00.5 and broke the M65 5000M American Record with his 17:35. On May 25th, Lee went under the M65 Road Mile Record at the Ridgewood Mile with his 5:09.2. 
Rick Lee Finishes off his M60 Silver Medal and Overall Age Grading Silver Medal Performance at the 2023 USATF Masters 12 Km Championships in Highlands NJ Photo by Jason Timochko
That broke Dan King's AR by almost a second. Anyone who knows Lee understands that, despite his current concentration on the track, he excels at all distances. Earlier in the season, Lee won his division at the Cherry Blossom Run [10 Mi] in DC in early April in 1:00:55 and at the BCBS Broad Street Run [10 Miler] in Philadelphia with a 1:01:47. The potential difficulty is that Lee is entered in 6 events over the four-day Championship weekend. It will be interesting to see how he handles the 10K. My guess is that he will go for the win but not necessarily worry too much about how fast it is. No one else entered seems capable of breaking 40 in a 10K and that is what it should, normally, take to push Lee. The one exception who might have been able to break 40 minutes was Adam Feerst Boulder Road Runners who clocked 40:47 at the Bolder Boulder 10K last year. It is a challenging course and at altitude. It is fair to say he might well have broken 40 at a flatter course closer to sea level. But Feerst is currently dealing with an injury that is keeping him mostly on the bike and in the pool. Others with podium possibilities include: Timothy Conheady Greater Philadelphia TC, Keith Davies Greater Philadelphia TC, William Enicks SoCal TC, Gene Kersh, Dukes TC, and Lawrence Sak Ann Arbor TC. Conheady has a 20:09 and a 20:20 5K to his credit this spring, as well as a 5th place M65 finish at the Masters Road Mile Championships in 5:43. In March, he ran Chicago's Shamrock Shuffle 8K in 33:30, which equates to a low 42-minute 10K. Davies ran 23:11 in th4e Mills Street 5K last September. This spring he clocked 1:12:00 at the BCBS Broad Street Run 10 Miler, equivalent to a low 43-minute 10K. Enicks ran a 40:09 10K at the Moccasin Bend Run last October. This June he clocked 43:09 at the Rainsville Freedom Fest.10K. Kersh ran 42:17 at the Chips and Salsa 10K last September in mile high Albuquerque. A month later he clocked a 20:15 at the Duke City Marathon, also at altitude. Sak finished third M65 at the 10 Km Championships this year in Dedham with a 42:05. He finished 5th M65 at the 4 Mile Championships with a 29:29. Sak's 1:07:03 10 Miler st the LMCU Bridge Run in Grand Rapids last fall equates to a sub-41-minute 10K. Lee should win. After that, I give Kersh the edge for those times at altitude. It seems a pretty tight bunch otherwise. Sak's work this spring seems to be ever so slightly better than that of Conheady, Davies and Enicks. Perhaps that wil translate into a bronze medal?
Top Podium Contenders in Alphabetical Order:
Gene Kersh Rick Lee Lawrence Sak
70-74 Rick Becker Atlanta TC and Jack Pottle Boulder Road Runners are the top runners entered. Becker is a 'beast' on the cross country turf and he had no trouble coming in ahead of Pottle at Club Cross in Tacoma in 2024 and at Cross Nationals in Lubbock TX in early 2025. Becker ran well the rest of the year and so did Pottle but they did not meet again. Becker finished 2025 strong with an M70 win in San Francisco at the Masters 5 Km XC Championships. But since then, a variety of issues have kept him away% from the national championships. Pottle, on the other hand, has won M70 at the 2026 Masters Road Mile Championships in 5:40.7 and finished 2nd at the 2026 Masters 10 Km Championships in 41:34.
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| Jack Pottle Claims the M70 Title at the 2026 USATF Masters 1 Mile Championships at the Grand Blue Mile in Des Moines Photo courtesy of Grand Blue Mile |
This May, Becker tested himself at the Lilac Bloomsday Race which is known as a challenging 12 Km race. He ran it in 51:25 which equates to something like a 42:30 10K. Becker has been running some strong workouts but until he actually tests himself in championship conditions, it is hard to be certain how things will go. Becker was to have his first test in the 5000M Run on Thursday morning. But it appears that the poor AQI due to Minnesota/Canadian wildfires has caused USATF to can6cel most (perhaps all?) of the first day's events. Let us guess that if the race goes off as scheduled, Becker and Pottle will battle for the win. Robert Boland Greater Philadelphia TC; Brian Cummins Syracuse TC; Perry Forrester Cal Coast TC; and Scott Lucking Atlanta TC will battle for the other positions. Boland ran 1;08:37 at the fast BCBS Broad Street Run [10 Mi] in Philadelphia. That equates to a sub-42-minute 10K on an equivalently fast course. This May he ran 20:48 at the Yardley 5K; that equates to something like a 42:30 10K. Cummins ran 1:37:27 at the Naples HM in January and two months later, clocked 1:08:50 at the Gate River Run [15K]. The former equates to a low 44-minute 10K and the latter to a high 44-minute 10K. Forrester ran 44:02 at the Seal Beach 10K in March but followed that with a 22:35 at the Capital City Chase 5K in late May. Lucking finished 6th M70 at the Masters 10 Km Championships in 44:13 and also finished 6th at the Masters 4 Mile Championships in Peoria. Next to Pottle and Becker, Boland looks to have the strongest recent record.
Top Podium Contenders in Alphabetical Order:
Rick Becker Robert Boland Jack Pottle
75-79 11 entries. Doug Bell Boulder Road Runners and Don Morrison Greater Philadelphia TC are set to renew their rivalry. Bell came in a minute ahead of Morrison on the turf at Tallahassee. Morrison enjoyed the win at the Road Mile Championships at the Grand Blue Mile of the Drake Relays, finishing just two seconds ahead of Bell at 6:35. Morrison also got the win at the Masters 10 Km Championships in 46:02 but Bell did not make that trip. When they met in early June at the 4 Mile Championships in Peoria, it was Bell showing Morrison the way to the finish; they crossed the line in 1st and 2nd, at 29:11 and 29:59, respectively.
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| Doug Bell Claims the M75 Win at the 2026 USATF Masters 4 Mile Championships, Hosted by the Steamboat Classic in Peoria IL Photo Courtesy of Steamboat% Classic |
Top Podium Contenders in Alphabetical Order:
Doug Bell Don Morrison Rod Thompson
80-84 3 entries. The two Gary's will meet again. Gary Patton is a Masters Hall of Famer, primarily for his exploits at middle distances on the track. Gary Ostwald is a relative newcomer, easing onto the Masters circuit after Covid. Ostwald initially competed to make the podium. But soon he was competing for wins. When he nipped Ron Wells for the M75 win at Club Cross in San Francisco that announced his arrival as a force in the division. In 2025, Ostwald won M75 at all five of the Masters LDR Championships he entered. He was ready to challenge Patton at a middle-distance event, where Patton had been almost unbeatable for the last several years. Ostwald nipped Patton in both the 3000M and the Mile at the 2026 Masters Indoor Championships this past march. Ostwald did not make the trip to the Masters 10 Km Championships but Patton did. Her was rewarded with a fine win in 49:52. Patton got a measure of revenge in late April when he captured the Masters Road Mile Championships at the Grand Blue Mile with a well-timed kick!
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| Gary Patton Crosses the Finish Line Just Ahead of Gary Ostwald to Take the M80 Win at the2026 USATF Masters 1 Mile Championships at the Grand Blue Mile in Des Moines Photo courtesy of Grand Blue Mile |
Patton won in 6:28, finishing two seconds ahead of Ostwald. If they meet at 10 Km, that is Ostwald's focus these days. He won the 75-79 division at the 2025 10K Championships in 45:32. Most likely Ostwald would have been able to break 49 minutes had he run this year. Still, they have to run the race. Ostwald has to have a cushion going into the final stretch or Patton's lethal kick might carry him to victory as it has so often in the past. The third entrant, Sam Pierce Unaffiliated is not competitive with those two, nor does he need to be. Pierce ran a recent 5k in 33:51 and has run recent half marathons in 2:30+. If he finishes the race on Saturday he will earn 90 Grand Prix points for third place and a bronze medal.
Top Podium Contenders in Alphabetical Order:
Gary Ostwald Gary Patton Sam Pierce
85-89 Robert Randall New England 65 Plus RC is the sole entrant. His recent 5K's have been in the 43 to 48-minute range. If he runs on Saturday and finishes, he wins the division title.
Only Contender:
Robert Randall
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Sources: USATF Events website and the Masters National Grand Prix webpage, my archives, Athlinks, Strava, Facebook, World Masters Athletics, and relevant race websites.
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