USATF Masters Cross Country Championships-Individual Race Results and Commentary

February 12 2015. At the USATF Masters Cross Country Championships in Boulder CO this past Saturday, February 7th, there were some remarkable individual races. The race was run on the Flatirons course over 2 kilometer loops-3 for the Masters Women and 4 for the Masters Men. It was a gorgeous, if unexpectedly warm day for the open runners. But the temperatures in early morning for the Masters races were ideal for cross country, in the mid-40’s. That left only the altitude to cause problems for the runners.

WOMEN

Overall.   The primary favorites in the women’s race were 41 year old Melody Fairchild, a national champion many times over, and 50 year old Colleen DeReuck, a 4-time Olympian. Fairchild was the Footlocker High School Cross Country champion and finished 3^rd in the World Junior Cross Country Championships, an all American and national champion at Oregon, she later twice qualified for the Olympic trials. More recently she has excelled at Mountain running, joining the US National team, finishing 8^th in the 2012 World Mountain Running Championships, helping the U.S. team to a gold medal.

DeReuck is a 4-time Olympian and holder, until recently, of virtually every master’s road distance record from 5K to the Marathon. Originally from South Africa, she gained her U.S. citizenship in 2000 and competed for the USA in the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece after winning the US Olympic Marathon Trials. In 2014, Fairchild and DeReuck chased Nuta Olaru around the course with Fairchild coming up just short of the victory and DeReuck fading a bit toward the end to finish 18 seconds back. How would things go this time?

DeReuck played the main strategy card available to her, going out hard and trying to hold it as long as she could. Would Fairchild let her get away and if so, would she be able to close? The answer to the first question was yes, as Fairchild started at a measured pace and let DeReuck break away. 

Colleen DeReuck, leading the pack in the midst of the race at the USA Masters XC Championships in Boulder CO on February 7 2015

By the end of the second lap it was clear that DeReuck had opened a big lead for Fairchild to close in just 2 kilometers.   

Melody Fairchild, in hot pursuit of DeReuck, with Joanna Zeiger trying to maintain contact at the USA Masters XC Championships in Boulder CO on February 7 2015

But then Fairchild found another gear and started to accelerate and close the gap. But was it soon enough? No—Fairchild ran out of course real estate before she could catch DeReuck. So it was a very special win for DeReuck, in her first year as a 50+ athlete. Fairchild was deeply disappointed, but had a very creditable 2^nd place finish, just 3 seconds behind at the finish. And she had the pleasure of leading her team, Boulder Mountain Warriors, to victory.

For the first two loops, it was a real battle for third between the Warriors’ 2^nd runner, Maureen Wrenn and DeReuck’s teammate, Joanna Zeiger. In the early going, Zeiger was hanging onto Fairchild with Wrenn a bit off their pace. 

Maureen Wrenn captures 3rd overall at the USA Masters XC Championships in Boulder CO on February 7 2015

But by the end of the race, Wrenn had a comfortable lead over Zeiger and the third spot on the podium.

1.       Colleen DeReuck    Boulder CO     Colorado Racing Team                 22:26

2.       Melody Fairchild     Boulder CO     Boulder Mountain Warriors         22:29

3.       Maureen Wrenn       Boulder CO     Boulder Mountain Warriors         22:52

4.       Joanna Zeiger          Boulder CO     Colorado Racing Team                 23:35

___________________________________________________________

 One other Masters athlete should be mentioned who ran at Boulder on the 7^th. Four time Olympian, Jen Rhines, ran in the Open race and actually finished 3^rd, qualifying for the USA Cross Country team that will compete in the World Cross Country Championships in China next month. Because she ran in the Open race she is not eligible for any Masters awards.

Jen Rhines, #687, keeps pace with Mattie Suver, #698, as she surges past Brianne Nelson to stay in contention for a podium finish and a spot on the USA team going to the 2015 World Cross Country Championships at the USA Cross Country Championships in Boulder CO on Feb 7 2015.

But it is worth reporting that Rhines covered the 8K course (4 loops) in 28:21 which works out to 3:32.6 per kilometer compared to the winning time of 22:26 over a 6K (3 loop) course which works out to 3:44.3 per kilometer. Rhines is in that golden age that the best runners can enjoy for a few years; she is still fast enough to compete in the Open Elite class but she is eligible to break Masters records, which she did last fall in the 10K at Tufts in Medford MA. Making Team USA at the age of 40 along with one of her twenty-something BAA teammates must be sweet indeed!

Age Groups

40-44. Not surprisingly the overall lead group had the 2^nd, 3^rd, and 4^th overall finishers on the 40-44 podium, Fairchild, Wrenn, and Zeiger.

45-49. The pre-race favorites in this category were Tania Fischer and Laura Haefeli.  In 1996, Fischer was in the 5000 meter finals of the US Olympic Trials. In 2004 she was the USA Club Cross Country Champion. More recently as a Masters athlete she won the Masters championship at the Carlsbad 5K road race, finished 4^th overall at the 2013 USA Masters Club Cross Country Championships and 5^th overall at the 2014 Masters Club Cross Championships. Both years she finished 2^nd in her 45-49 age group. Would this be her year to claim an age group first place? She woud have to beat Haefeli to do it and that would not be easy. Haefeli, as an Open athlete, was the 2004 USATF Mountain Runner of the Year, and in 2013 she was the first woman, overall, to finish the Delta Dental Mt. Washington Road Race by a wide margin. A strong mountain runner is clearly a formidable opponent when running over 5400 feet above sea level. And that is how it turned out; Haefeli established a gap by the middle of the race and was able to hold it all the way to the finish for

Laura Haefeli, striding confidently through the middle of the race in first place in the W50 group at the USA Masters XC Championships in Boulder CO on February 7 2015

a 19 second victory. It was over a minute back to the third finisher, Kathleen Cushing-Murray of the famed running Cushing-Murray family of Southern California.

1.       Laura Haefeli      Del Norte CO         Boulder Mountain Warriors     23:46

2.       Tania Fischer       Santa Monica CA   The Jane’s Elite Racing            24:05

3.       Kathleen Cushing-Murray   Santa Ana CA    Unattached                    25:19

50-54. Colleen DeReuck was, of course, the overwhelming favorite and took the age group crown along with the overall Masters Championship. But there was quite a list of competitors behind her vying for the other two podium positions. Four Colorado runners, Laura Bruess and Dianne Gates of Boulder, Noelle Green from Erie, and Janet Rooney, from Louisville, were prepared to do battle for 2^nd and 3^rd. Last year Bruess and Rooney finished 2^nd and 3^rd to Sheila Geere who is not competing this year. Green competed in the W45 division but moved up this year; her time was just a little faster than Bruess’s last year. Gates is a newcomer to the USA Cross Country championships but her sub-40 time in the Bolder Boulder 10K suggests she has the talent to contend.  

Dianne Gates, leading the W50 age group through the middle of the race at the USA Masters XC Championships in Boulder CO on February 7 2015

Gates was able to get out fast and establish a gap over Greene, with Bruess and Rooney not far behind. 

Laura Bruess (#9) and Janet Rooney (#57) battling through the middle of the race at the USA Masters XC Championships in Boulder CO on February 7 2015

In the end Gates nailed second and thirty seconds back, Green hung tough to join DeReuck and Gates on the podium.

1.       Colleen DeReuck    Boulder CO         Colorado Racing Team              22:26

2.       Dianne Gates           Boulder CO         Boulder Mountain Warriors      24:17

3.       Noelle Green           Erie CO               Athletics Boulder         24:46

55-59. Last year Ellen Hart, of Denver CO, had a big win over the trio of Catherine Utzschneider, Martha Buttner, and Catriona Darling--who were only separated by 17 seconds. But this year Hart had some new competition, Delcia Litt, from Erie CO and Nancy Simmons, from Belvedere CA. Primarily a road racer, Litt's 42:27 in the 2014 Bolder Boulder 10K suggest she has real staying power. Simmons, no stranger to Cross Country,finished 2nd in her age group in the 2013 USATF 5

Delcia Litt, stepping out smartly in the middle of the race at the USA Masters XC Championships in Boulder CO on February 7 2015

Kilometer Masters XC Championships in Kentucky. Litt proved up to the Cross Country challenge as she got off to a good start, established a lead and then hung on in the end to win by 8 seconds over Simmons. Focsusing on chasing down Litt was a good strategy for Simmons even though she was

Nancy Simmons finishes strong to claim second place in the women's 55-59 age group at the USA Masters XC Championships in Boulder CO on February 7 2015

not able to catch her. It ensured a strong run and a lot of space between her and the 3rd place finisher, Hart. It was also a close race for 3rd as Hart came in just 16 seconds ahead of Buttner, to claim her second consecutive year on the podium..
1. Delcia Litt     Erie CO      Athletics Boulder  26:16
2. Nancy Simmons      Belvedere CA       Tamalpa Runners  26:24
3. Ellen Hart     Denver CO     Flatirons Running   27:31

60-64. Everyone assumed that this class belonged to Freeport, New York's Kathy Martin, 9-times USATF's Masters Harrier of the Year, and they were absolutely right. As expected, Martin went out early, established a gap, and widened it a s the race went on. In the end she had a 6 minute gap on the 2nd place finisher, Boulder's Nancy Antos. It was a great race by Antos, however, as she clipped almost two minutes off her time from last year--what an improvement--inspiring! Lynne Kidder, also of Boulder and Antos's teammate on Revolution Running, ran a steady pace, bettering her 2014 time by a minute to take the 3rd spot on the podium.
1. Kathryn Martin      Freeport NY      Northport Running Club    26:12
2. Nancy Antos      Boulder CO     Revolution Running 32:29
3. Lynne Kidder     Boulder CO     Revolution Running   33:11

65-69. Unliike some of the earlier races, this was very orderly. Laurie Rugenstein took 1st by 2 and a half minutes over Sandi Wiebe who, in turn, had a two and a half minute gap over the 3rd place finisher, Jean Nistico, all 3 of them local runners from Boulder. In one respect it was not orderly; Rugenstein actually competed for the B team of Boulder Road Runners, coming in ahead of two A teamers--food for thought for the Road Runner organizers!

Laurie Rugenstein, chugging confidently through the middle portions of the race on her way to vistory in the Women's 65-69 age group at the USA Masters XC Championships in Boulder CO on February 7 2015

Nistico took the crown last year but even though she ran 16 seconds faster this year, had little chance against stronger competition. Rugenstein has run sparingly over the last few years but when she runs, she does well, especially in 10K road races. Wiebe is an active triathlete who races several times a year; that strength stood her in good stead in this cross country contest.
1. Laurie Rugenstein    Boulder CO    Boulder Road Runners B   29:54
2. Sandi Wiebe     Boulder CO     Boulder Road Runners A   32:22
3. Jean Nistico      Boulder CO     Boulder Road Runners A    35:03

70-74. Last year this age group belonged to two Boulder Road Runners, Betty Valent and Gail Hunter who finished 1-2 almost three minutes apart. This year the contest between the two of them was much closer but they had a new teammate to contend with, Anita Gonzales. An active road racer at 5K and 10K distances in the Boulder area, Gonzales tried a local cross country race last January (2014). Apparently it agreed with her as she decided to join up for the national championship event

Anita Gonzales, coming home with the win in the Women's 70-74 age group at the USA Masters XC Championships in Boulder CO on February 7 2015

13 months later. At the finish line, it was Gonzales by 3 minutes. But Valent just hung on to beat Hunter by 3 seconds, one of the closest finishes of the day in determing 2nd and 3rd place on the podium!
1. Anita Gonzales       Boulder CO      Boulder Road Runners   35:28
2. Betty Valent      Boulder CO      Boulder Road Runners   38:32
3. C. Gail Hunter       Boulder CO      Boulder Road Runners 38:35

75-79. This category belonged to Libby James, the remarkable record setter from Fort Collins CO. A member of the Colorado Running Hall of Fame and holder of three American records for her age group, in the 5K, 10K and half marathon, James wins just about every race she runs in and usually by several minutes. This race was no exception as she finished with over a 12 minute lead on her 2nd place finisher.

Libby James saunters home with an easy win in the Women's 75-79 age group at the USA Masters XC Championships in Boulder CO on February 7 2015

Undaunted by the presence of such a famed competitor, Judith Smythe, also of the Boulder Road runners, chugged along to take 2nd place on the podium.
1. Libby James      Fort Collins CO      Boulder Road Runners   31:45
2. Judith Smythe      Boulder CO      Boulder Road Runners  44:28


MEN

Overall. Last year Greg Mitchell of McMinnville Oregon, ran a remarkably steady race, leading the pack through the first two loops of the course, establishing an 11 second gap over California's Rusty Snow, and holding that winning gap  to the end of the race. And Oregon's Ahrlin Bauman and Colorado's Simon Gutierrez had an epic battle for third which Bauman won by a whisker. This year there was one pair of new legs in the person of Jacques Sallberg, who turned 40 recently and celebrated with a Masters win at the Fiesta Bowl Half Marathon in December with a time of 1:12:04.Once again, except for reeling in an early surge by Gutierrez,  Mitchell led the pack around the early loops, with Sallberg back in about 5th or 6th place, biding his time.

Simon Gutierrez, with an early lead over Greg Mitchell (#201) and the rest of the pack; Jacques Sallberg is in the group coming around behind the tree, in the early going at the USA Masters Cross Country Championships at Boulder Colorado on February 7, 2015

By the third loop it was down to Mitchell and Sallberg, running 1-2, as the others gradually slid

Jacques Sallberg (#225) tracking a few yards off of Greg Mitchell's pace as they lead the pack toward the finish line at the USA Masters Cross Country Championships at Boulder Colorado on February 7, 2015

back. Sallberg was able to put in a surge that Mitchell could not answer as Sallberg hit the tape with a 15 second lead over Mitchell who had a bigger gap on the third place runner. Mitchell definitely answered the challenge, running 11 seconds faster than his 2014 winning time. But this time it was Sallberg's day.

Jacques Sallberg takes the tape to win the USA Masters Cross Country Championships at Boulder Colorado on February 7, 20

Gutierrez stole a page from DeReuck's strategy book from earlier in the day as he blasted out over the first part of the course to see if he could open a gap. Although he put some stress on the chase pack, Mitchell and company were able to reel him in. But it still had the desired effect, as Ahrlin Bauman was not able to catch him and Gutierrez rode his lead into the finish line, thirteen seconds faster than his 2014 time, to claim the third spot on the podium that he lost to Bauman in 2014. Ahrlin Bauman took the 4th spot and had the satisfaction of duplicating his victory over his brother Oscar, who finished in 6th. John Gardiner, of Cal Coast, kept pace as long as he could and wound up with a 5th place finish overall.
1. Jacques Sallberg   Pasadena CA   Unattached   26:29
2. Gregory Mitchell    McMinnville OR    Bowerman Track Club   26:44
3. Simon Gutierrez   Colorado Springs CO   Boulder Running Company   27:00
4. Ahrlin Bauman   Portland OR   Bowerman Track Club   27:13
5. John Gardiner   Rancho Santa Marga CA    Cal Coast Track Club   27:29

Age Groups

40-44. As usual, this group closely resembles the overall contest. The one exception is due to the fact that Gutierrez is the wily veteran of the overall group and competes in the 45-49 division. In this division it was Sallberg, Mitchell and A. Bauman.
1. Jacques Sallberg   Pasadena CA   Unattached   26:29
2. Gregory Mitchell    McMinnville OR    Bowerman Track Club   26:44
3. Ahrlin Bauman   Portland OR   Bowerman Track Club   27:13

45-49. Simon Gutierrez took this age group by a half minute. Rusty Snow, who dogged Greg Mitchell's footsteps all the way last year to a 2nd place overall, had to settle for an age group second place this year. Whether it was the heat, the altitude or the early fast pace, Snow fell back from the lead pack early and never fully recovered.

Rusty Snow, #239, Francis Burdett, #104 (M50), and Paul Thompson, #250, leading the chase pack right behind the overall leaders at the USA Masters Cross Country Championships at Boulder Colorado on February 7, 2015

Still, it was enough for a very nice 2nd place finish in the group. It was almost 45 seconds back to Paul Thompson, running unattached out of Peekskill NY., who made the podium in this age group for the second straight year.
1. Simon Gutierrez    Colorado Springs CO   Boulder Running Company   27:00
2. Rusty Snow    Goleta CA    Santa Barbara Running and Racing     27:34
3. Paul Thompson    Peekskill NY   Unattached    28:17

50-54. In 2014, this age group belonged to the regional crowd, a trio of top runners from Colorado, oregon and New Mexico  Andrew Ames, Mike Blackmore, and Eugene Hogue. Francis Burdett of the Greater Springfield Harriers, moved up to this age group over the winter, and headed west with fitness and purpose. He was joined in that trek by another super runner from New England, Spyros Barres, from Mystic CT, who finished 6th overall and won the national Half Marathon age group road championship in 2014 in February. He came back to the national championships in october in the Twin Cities and won the age group national championship in the Marathon. Barres licked Krohn's disease and is now a force on the roads, especially at longer distances. Renowned Masters runner, raconteur and writer, Pete Magill, who skipped the race in 2014, decided to chance it in 2015. Magill has won at just about every distance and over all kinds of terrain but he notes that altitude has always been a struggle for him. As the picture above in the 45-49 section makes clear, Burdett took off with the goal of maintaining a position as close to the front as possible, and stayed well up with the overall chase pack. A ways back from that was Magill, with Barres a few spots back,

Pete Magill, #192, claiming an early lead for 2nd place in the group, over Spyros Barres, who is out of sight right behind #206, Mike Nier of the Genesee Valley Harriers, at the USA Masters Cross Country Championships at Boulder Colorado on February 7, 2015

and then David Litoff, a Coloradan who finished 5th last year.

Pete Magill, #192, holding onto 2nd place but with Spyros Barres, #83, closing in. Also in the picture about 4 runners back is David Litoff who will eventually close in on Magill as well, with the altitude taking its usual toll. At the USA Masters Cross Country Championships at Boulder Colorado on February 7, 2015

In the end, Burdett's heroics won the day as he soared to victory in this division, winning by a 40 second margin over Barres who nailed 2nd place with 9 seconds to spare.  

Francis Burdett, racing with the 45 year old crew, as he strides to a comfortable win in the Men's 50-54 age group at the USA Masters Cross Country Championships at Boulder Colorado  on February 7, 2015

Litoff did eventually close with and pass Magill but Magill was able to find the strength to stay with him. In the end, Magill had a kick that would not be denied as he took the final spot on the podium by 3 seconds over Litoff, who can be proud of a very game effort.
1. Francis Burdett    Worcester MA   Unattached    28:17
2. Spyros Barres    Mystic CT    Mohegan Striders    28:57
3. Pete Magill   South Pasadena CA    Cal Coast Track Club   29:06

55-59. Brian Pilcher, the 2013 Masters Runner of the Year, who won every race in sight that year, was injured for much of 2014, but started to make a serious comeback toward the end of the year. He set the Masters running world abuzz a week before this competition by running a 1:14:45 at the Kaiser Half Marathon. The word quickly spread that Pilcher is back. But would there be some residual fatigue from the half marathon? Or would altitude make things difficult? Who else was in the race? The podium from 2014 was back. Brian Kelley from Nebraska, and two Coloradans, Dan Spale and Kyle Hubbart were back but would they be able to keep pace with a revitalized Pilcher? It became pretty clear early on that the answer was no, despite Pilcher's recent half marathon effort and any difficulty adjusting to altitude. But there was an unheralded age group runner named Daniel King, running for Athletics Boulder, who went out hard at the

Daniel King, #176, running with his teammate, David Litoff, #189, is off to a terrific start in the Men's 55-59 age group at the USA Masters Cross Country Championships at Boulder Colorado  on February 7, 2015

gun and established a sizable gap over Pilcher.

Brian Pilcher, Tamalpa Runners, #213, leading a pack of younger age group runners, but already about 40 yards behind Dan King, at the USA Masters Cross Country Championships at Boulder Colorado  on February 7, 2015

In the end it was not close as King pulled in with a comfortable age group win, 45 seconds ahead of Pilcher, who was, at the end, only 7 seconds ahead of the third place finisher, Spale. Pilcher definitely felt the altitude was a challenge. No doubt he will be looking forward to the 8K national championship closer to sea level in Brea CA on February 22nd to try to ink his first national championship of the season.
1. Daniel King     Boulder CO   Athletics Boulder   29:43
2. Brian Pilcher    Ross CA    Tamalpa Runners   30:30
3. Dan Spale   Lakewood CO    Athletics Boulder    30:37

60-64. The winner from last year, Doug Bell, and the third and fourth place finishers, Bruce Wilkins and John Tarkowski  were back. The only podium finisher not coming back was Tim McMullen,  Wilkins's teammate from the Genesee Valley Harriers. But they would also have to contend with two newcomers to the age group, 60 year olds, Rick Becker from Selah WA, and John Victoria from Colorado Springs. Becker finished 2nd to the great Tom McCormack in the .US National 12K road championship in November 2014 so would clearly be a force to be reckoned with. Victoria did not run much in 2014 but in 2013 he had three sub-19:00 5K's, all at altitude.  

Rick Becker, #87, running with the young tigers from the 40's and establishing an early gap on his rivals in the Men's 60-64 age group at the USA Masters Cross Country Championships at Boulder Colorado  on February 7, 2015

Becker got out very strong, running mostly with runners a decade or two younger, and established a large gap quickly which he maintained throughout for a big win, coming in almost two minutes ahead of the 2nd place finisher. It was much closer for 2nd and 3rd. Doug Bell nearly claimed the 2nd place finish but, in the end, the younger legs of John Victoria were able to keep Bell at bay as he closed strongly for a 16 second margin of victory. An impressive performance from Becker. Both he and McCormack are entered in the Brea 8K championships on the 22nd of February. Who will take the rematch? That should be a race worth watching!
1. Rick Becker    Selah WA    Club Northwest   30:24
2. John Victoria   Colorado Springs CO   Boulder Road Runners B   32:12
3. Doug Bell    Greeley CO    Boulder Road Runners A    32:28

65-69. The entire podium from 2014 was back-Lloyd Hansen, Salt Lake City, John Roeske of Loveland CO, and Richard Katz of Boulder. But there was also a newly minted 65 year old to contend with, Ignacio Jimenez from Goleta CA. Also entered was Doc Rappole,  a fairly new 65 year old from the Genesee Valley Harriers who ran in his first Masters championship at the Club Cross Country Championships in Bethehem PA in December 2014; he finished only 20 seconds back of Hansen. This was the closest age group competition of the day; in the need, only 7 seconds separated 1st from 3rd.  Hansen went off at a good pace, with Rappole holding on right behind,

Lloyd Hansen (#150) leading the male 65-69 runners, with John Roeske (#223) a few strides back in orange at the USA Masters Cross Country Championships at Boulder Colorado  on February 7, 2015

 Roeske a few strides back, Jimenez about 20 yards further back, and Katz further back, presumably having an off day. By the end of the second loop, Roeske had thrown in a surge and established a small gap over Hansen, who found he could not respond. In the meantime, Jimenez had, apparently closed the gap with Hansen a bit.

Ignacio Jimenez in hot pursuit of Lloyd Hansen and John Roeske early in the race at the  USA Masters Cross Country Championships at Boulder Colorado  on February 7, 2015

When they got to the finish Rappole had a solid lead over Hansen with Jimenez closing fast; the fleet Californian's kick carried him right past Hansen, almost before the defending champion knew he was there. It should be quite a rematch at the USATF 8K championships in Brea next week, where both are also entered.
1. Doc Rappole     Bemus NY   Genesee Valley Harriers    34:40
2. Ignacio Jimenez    Goleta CA    Santa Barbara Running and Racing   34:46
3. Lloyd Hansen      Salt Lake City UT    Ann Arbor Track Club   34:47  

70-74. The second place finisher from last year, Tom Lemire of the Boulder Road runners was the only one from the 2014 podium to enter this year. Returning from a bit of a hiatus was Jan Frisby of Grand Junction, Colorado. Masters Runner of the Year for his age group three times in the 1990's and a fierce competitor throughout the following decades, Frisby suffered a serious injury that kept him away from championships for much of 2013 and nearly all of 2014. His comeback started with two races last year but then another setback. Would he be able to show the form that led to an age group championship at the Club Cross Country Championships in 2012 and the USA Cross Country championships  in early 2013? We needn't have worried--Frisby was on form, and one of the most stylish runners on the course with his bright green knee-high socks.

Jan Frisby, #134, establishing the early lead on his Men's 70-74 competitors, running easily along with Wally Hayes of the Ann Arbor Track Club , #153 - at the USA Masters Cross Country Championships at Boulder Colorado  on February 7, 2015

He beat last year's winning time by almost three minutes. Lemire hung in to take 2nd, and Ron Mastin of the Atlanta Track Club claimed the final spot on the podium.
1. Jan Frisby   Grand Junction CO    Boulder Road Runners   35:52
2. Thomas Lemire   Boulder CO   Boulder Road Runners   40:16
3. Ron Mastin   Woodstock GA   Atlanta Track Club   42:04

75-79. Last year John Brennand and Charles Westley had the race to themselves but neither returned to defend their place in 2015. Instead there were three brand new challengers for the championship, Henry Kaplan, Colorado, David Turner, Georgia, and Thom Weddle of Minnesota. Although new to this championship, Turner won his age group at the USA National Club Cross Country championships in Bethlehem PA last December. And in the 2013 USA Cross Country Championships at St. Louis, Turner came in two minutes ahead of Weddle. So it looks like Turner vs. Kaplan with Weddle looking for the 3rd spot on the podium.

David Turner, intent on building his early lead in the Men's 75-79 Championship at the USA Masters Cross Country Championships at Boulder Colorado  on February 7, 2015

In the event, Turner had all that he needed and more as he came in 4 minutes ahead of Kaplan, with Weddle claiming the third spot.
1. David Turner, Sr.   Clarkesville, GA    Atlanta Track Club     46:30
2. Henry Kaplan   Broomfield CO   Boulder Road Runners      50:31
3. Thom Weddle    Minneapolis MN   Ann Arbor Track Club    52:55

80-84. Last year Mike Fenerty, Verne Carlson and Donald Hayes, the Colorado trio repelled all comers as they cantered to victory---and they are back to try for a repeat. Another year, another podium finish for the trio. But this time, Carlson overtook Fenerty to reverse the first two spots.

Verne Carlson, #106, establishing a gap on the Men's 80-84 field early in the race at the USA Masters Cross Country Championships at Boulder Colorado  on February 7, 2015

It was Fenerty by 37 seconds last year; this year Carlson took it in a cakewalk, winning by nearly 5 minutes.
1. Verne Carlson   Longmont CO   Boulder Road Runners 50:41
2. Mike Fenerty   Boulder CO   Boulder Road Runners   55:29
3. Donald Hayes    Boulder CO   Boulder Road Runners    61:03

USATF Masters Cross Country Championships-Feb 07 2015--Recap of Team Races

February 7 2015. The 2015 USA Masters Cross Country Championships unfolded today on the Flatirons course in Boulder Colorado.  Clubs from Colorado and across the country were in Boulder to compete for a national championship and to start building the point totals necessary to claim a USATF Masters Club Grand Prix banner by the end of the year. And, of course, there are unofficial bragging rights that are an important part of any cross country event. The weather was gorgeous for spectators and a bit warmer than anticipated for the runners. Despite some snow melt the course was in pretty good shape. Recall that scoring for the Masters women’s teams depends on the first three runners in.

How did the teams do?

Women’s Teams

40+: In 2014, the podium consisted of: Team Colorado-10 (Melody Fairchild, Maureen Wren, Sheila Geere); Colorado Racing-12 (Colleen DeReuck, Joanna Zeiger, Kerrie Wlad); Athletics Boulder-29 (Noelle Green, Laura Bruess, Lesia Atkinson).  This year, six teams contested the 40+ championship.

Team Colorado did not enter this year. Instead Maureen Wrenn was entered for the Boulder Mountain Warriors. It looked like a solid 1-2 for the Warriors.  Maureen Wrenn, who finished 4^th in the team competition gave them a top runner.; Laura Haefeli  who, as an Open athlete, was the 2004 USATF Mountain Runner of the Year, provides very strong support. In 2013 she was the first woman, overall, to finish the Delta Dental Mt. Washington Road Race by a wide margin. Two other runners, Dianne Gates and Lisa Goldsmith, should provide solid support and the third place finish needed to place on the podium.  But then the celebrated mountain and road runner, Melody Fairchild entered the championships at the on-site registration the evening before the competition. With Fairchild joining the Warriors, they looked like the team to beat.  Colorado Racing was also back and had their two tigers, DeReuck and Zeiger, up front again.  Terzah Becker and Lydia Dissly join them this year. But they did not appear to have the really strong third runner they would need to challenge the Warriors. Even if DeReuck and Zeiger would finish on the podium, it might not be enough to take the crown. And there is a new contender this year; The Janes Elite racing team from Santa Monica California.  They finished fifth at the 2014 Club Cross championships in December in Bethlehem PA and will try to move up onto the podium in this event.  The top two Janes runners, Tania Fischer and Kirsten  Leech, who finished 5^th and 12^th respectively at Club Cross, are on the team going to Colorado; they are joined by a new teammate, Darcy Arreola-Lange. But without a very strong third runner it seems unlikely they can challenge for the top spot. Runners Roost Colorado has a good group of runners, including last year’s winner of the 50+ group, Janet Rooney, but they do not appear to have anyone to be up in the front pack and it is difficult to place well without that when only the top 3 runners’ places count.

DeReuck celebrated her first year in the 50+ age category by leading Colorado Racing with a 1^st place finish. Unfortunately, the Warriors were able to take the next two places with Fairchild and Wrenn.  

Colleen DeReuck, Colorado Racing, checking over her shoulder as she approaches the finish line, to be sure Melody Fairchild, Boulder Mountain Warriors, is not closing fast enough to catch her at the USA Masters Cross Country Championship in Boulder CO on Feb 07 2015.

 But Zeiger was able to pull Colorado Racing even again with a sterling 4^th place. That left it to the third runner for each team. 

Melody Fairchild (#73), Boulder Mountain Warriors,  and Joanna Zeiger, Colorado Racing, battling for the title in the Women's 40+ Team Competition at the USA Masters Cross Country Championship in Boulder CO on Feb 07 2015.

And, as one might suspect, Haefeli took the 5^th spot overall to give the Boulder Mountain Warriors the team win. Tania Fischer, of the Jane’s Elite, took 6^th place in the team competition but they were not able to make the podium. What about the Runners Roost. Were they able to parlay the potential of a tight pack against Colorado Racing? Rebecca Larsen led the Roost in with a team 8^th. And she was joined by Janet Rooney and Leslie Hoffman in 10^th and 11^th. That gave them a final total of 29 points. Colorado Racing had 5 points from their top two but they needed a third scorer. When Lydia Dissly took the 14^th spot, that was all they needed for the team 2^nd.

W40+ PODIUM:

Boulder Mountain Warriors 10 [Fairchild, Wrenn, Haefeli]

Colorado Racing 19 [DeReuck, Zeiger, Dissly]

Runners Roost 29 [Larsen, Rooney, Hoffman]

Club Grand Prix Points won:

Boulder Mountain Warriors                                         100

Colorado Racing                                                                90

Runners Roost                                                                  80

Janes Elite A                                                                       70

Athletics Boulder A                                                         60

Revolution Running A                                                    55

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

50+: Last year there were only two 50+ teams entered, the Heart and Sole Warriors (Ellen Hart, Coo Dughi, Martha Buttner) who took first with 9 points and the Boulder Striders (Janet Rooney, Catriona Dowling, Dianne Thompson) who took 2^nd with 14 points.

It is a different and better story this year with 6 teams from 4 different clubs entered. The Boulder Striders are back, although without Janet Rooney who ran in the 40+ division this year and helped the  Runner’s Roost team onto the podium. The Striders, with Catriona Dowling, Diane Thompson, and Susan Schultz likely their top 3, looked to have enough strength to get on the podium but it is hard to gauge  their cross country strength as their runners did not compete in the race last year.

Noelle Green and Laura Bruess , who finished 8^th and 9^th in the 40+ competition last year, anchor the strong  Athletics Boulder team. They are joined by Delcia Litt who did not run this race last year but appears poised to provide very solid support to Green and Bruess. It appears the race is Athletics Boulder’s to lose. Flatirons Running, behind the leadership of Ellen Hart, Martha Buttner, and Vicki Hunter, should have what it takes to finish 2^nd in this group.

The race went according to the formbook in this case, with Green, Bruess, and Litt finishing 1-2-3, for 6 points and the Athletics Boulder victory.  

Laura Bruess, digging for the tape as she claims 2nd for her team, Athletics Boulder, in the women's 50+ competition at the USA Masters Cross Country Championship in Boulder CO on Feb 07 2015

Flatirons had the tight pack of the group, with their first three runners, Valerie Eiper, Ellen Hhart, and Martha Buttner, finishing within 28 seconds of one another as they took the 4-5-6 spots to claim 2^nd by a wide margin over the Boulder Striders.  The Striders, led by Catriona Dowling, Susan Schulte, and Diane Thompson took 8-10-12 to defend the last spot on the podium from the challenge of three other teams.

W50+ PODIUM:

Athletics Boulder 6 [Green, Bruess, Litt]

Flatirons Running 15 [Hart, Buttner, Hunter]

Boulder Striders 30 [Dowling, Schulte, Thompson]

Club Grand Prix Points won:

Athletics Boulder A                                                         100

Flatirons Running A                                                         90

Boulder Striders A                                                           80

Revolution Running  A                                                   70

Revolution Running C                                                     60

Revolution Running B                                                     55

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

60+: Last year it was Revolution Running, led by Edie Stevenson, Amy Lease, and Debra Hathaway sweeping the top 3 spots. The Boulder Road Runners also entered but only one of their runners was at all competitive with the Revolution runners. 

Revolution Running is back this year but with a substantially different team.   Last year Nancy Antos and Lynn Kidder were on the team for insurance should any of their top 3 falter. This year Antos and Kidder should lead the way. It is a little unclear whether Brooke Alt, Virginia Schultz, or Cynthi Stahli will be their 3^rd scoring runner but one of those should finish close enough to Antos and Kidder to give Revolution Running a repeat win. But it will not be without a challenge. The Boulder Road Runners have entered an A and a B team. The A team of Boulder Road Runners need Sandi Wiebe to run strong. She has primarily been running triathlons recently and that kind of strength is often useful on a cross country course. If she can finish close to the front of the group, it might give Boulder Road Runners a shot at 1^st. It would then depend on whether Connie Harmon and Jean Nistico can both come in ahead of Revolution’s 3^rd runner. Presumably the B team is in for the third spot on the podium.

As it unfolded, Sandy Wiebe did run strong, taking the team 2^nd place, behind the surprise win of Laurie Rugenstein of the B Boulder team. But the rest of the A and B teams ran according to expectations. But Revolution Running’s Antos and Kidder, did their parts by taking 3^rd and 4^th in the team competition. 

Lyn Kidder, heading for the 2nd place age group finish that would keep the momentum going for  Revolution Running's top finish in the women's 60+ team competition at the USA Masters Cross Country Championship in Boulder CO on Feb 07 2015

But then when Paula Vaughn took 5^th for Boulder A, that left the two top teams knotted at 7 points each. It was up to the third runner in. A few seconds after Vaughn came in, Sahli came in for Revolution, guaranteeing them the top spot with 13 points. A half minute later, Harmon crossed the line to give Boulder Road Runners A 14 points and the second place finish.  Boulder B took the 3^rd spot with 21 points. The irony is that if Boulder Road Runners had switched on of their A runners out for Rugenstein, they would have taken the team title with just 8 points. But it is never just about winning.

W60+ PODIUM:

Revolution Running 13 [Antos, Kidder,Sahli]

Boulder Road Runners A 14 [Wiebe, Vaughn, Harmon ]

Boulder Road Runners B 21 [Rugenstein, Gonzales, Tollesen]

Club Grand Prix Points won:

Revolution Running  A                                                   100

Boulder Road Runners A                                               90

Boulder Road Runners B                                               80

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

70+: Last year the Boulder Road Runners were unchallenged and it is the same story this year. It is a shame really because this year they have the added strength of the renowned Libby James up front. It would be interesting to see someone else try to challenge this strong team. Not surprisingly, Libby James led the way, with Betty Valent and Gail Hunter running a surprisingly close but, no doubt, companionable 2^nd and third.

W70+ PODIUM:

Boulder Road Runners 6 [James, Valent, Hunter]

Club Grand Prix Points won:

Boulder Road Runners  A                                              100

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Commentary: On the women’s side, the Colorado teams successfully defended their turf in every age group. The names of Boulder Mountain Warriors (40+), Athletics Boulder (50+), and Boulder Road Runners leave little doubt as to their place of origin. Revolution Running, the 60+ winner, gives away no secrets but is also based in Colorado. So a clean sweep for Colorado here.

The ‘Age is just a Number’ Team Mention goes to the 40+ Colorado Racing team, led by 50+ runner, DeReuck and to the 40+ Runners Roost who had 50+ Rooney as their second runner in, and the 60+ Boulder Runners B team who had 70+ runner Gonzales as their second finisher.

Tightest Pack Award for a team on the podium goes to

50+ Flatirons Running [top 3 within 28 seconds]

40+ Runners Roost   [top 3 within 55 seconds]

50+ Boulder Striders [top 3 within 75 seconds]

Best team performance across the age group categories goes to Boulder Road Runners with a 1^st in the W70+ category and a 2^nd and 3^rd in the W60+ category.

Finally the across the ages, Team Age-Grading contest.  Take the top 3 teams with the lowest age-grading scores across all age groups.

The Age-Grading Team Podium:

Boulder Mountain Warriors 5,7,9=21

[Dianne Gates 82.5%, Melody Fairchild 82.1%, Laura Haefeli 81.56%]

Athletics Boulder 6,8,11=25

[Laura Bruess 82.39%, Delicia Litt 81.69%, Noelle Green 80.86%]

Boulder Road Runners 1, 4, 30=35

[Libby James 91.63%, Sandi Wiebe 74.28%, Anita Gonzales 72.65%]

Men’s Teams

40+: In 2014 the podium was comprised of: Boulder Running Company/Adidas 72 (Simon Gutierrez, Cody Hill, Kevin Konczak, Cary Hitz, Mark Misch); Bowerman Track Club 87 (Ahrlin Bauman, Oscar Bauman, Mike Blackmore, Matthew Farley, Scott MacDonald); Cal Coast Track Club 90 (John Gardiner, Christian Cushing-Murray, Robert Arsenault, Kevin Barda, David Olds). But Santa Barbara Running and Racing was in hot pursuit with 96 points, just off the podium.

2015. These top 4 teams were all back although their rosters have changed slightly. In the case of the Bowerman Track Club, the minor change of adding Greg Mitchell should reduce their score substantially, enough to give Bowerman the win. Last year he competed unattached. But the other teams have also changed  and fitness levels can vary from year to year, not to mention from month to month. The Boulder Running Company has added Chris Grauch, Andrew Biglow and Art Siemers. The first two are Colorado runners who ran unattached in this race last year and finished 5^th and 9^th respectively in the 40-44 age group. Siemers, a solid all around distance runner finished 25^th in the USA Masters Club Cross Country championships in 2013. So has Bowerman or Boulder improved more? Cal Coast has Jerome Vermuelen and Jonathan May in place of Rob Arsenault and David Olds but those appear to be changes that leave their overall strength similar to last year. Santa Barbara Running and Racing has their team intact so they will have to run faster to make the podium. Other teams like LRC Racing and Flatirons Running have very solid runners but may lack a top ten runner; it is difficult to make the podium without at least 1 runner in the top ten. A very tight pack would be a necessity.

So how did they fare? Mitchell took care of business for Bowerman, getting the team first place. 

Greg Mitchell, Bowerman TC, leading Ivan Ivanov (LRC Racing), Art Siemers Boulder RC, Ahrlin Bauman, his teammate, Chris Grauch, Boulder RC, and John Gardiner, Cal Coast through a middle loop of the 12K Men's Team Championship at the USA Masters Cross Country Championship in Boulder CO on Feb 07 2015

Last year Boulder’s Gutierrez and Bowerman’s A. Bauman had an epic sprint to the tape which Bauman won by a hair. This year Gutierrez left nothing to chance, opening up enough of a gap that Bauman could not catch him. John Gardiner came in 4^th after Buaman’s 3^rd place, to give Cal Coast some hope and then Rusty Snow for Santa Barbara. This year’s epic sprint finish involved a different Bauman, Ahrlin’s brother Oscar, but the outcome was the same. Bauman just edged Boulder’s Grauch for sixth. That gave Bowerman 10 points for their first three runners while Boulder had 9 points just from their first two. But the newcomers saved the day for Boulder. Four seconds after Grauch, it was Biglow in 8^th and 15 seconds later, Boulder’s Siemers  outdueled Bowerman’s Joshua Gordon to take 9^th by 2 seconds. That gave Boulder 26 points for their first 4 runners while Gordon’s tenth gave Bowerman 20 for the same number. It would all come down to the 5^th runner! There was not long to wait. Twenty seconds later Craig Greenslit came sailing in to claim the team 12^th place and the victory with 38 points. Everett Whiteside sealed the 2^nd place position on the podium for the Bowerman TC by  taking the 19^th spot. Boulder and Bowerman had a terrific battle for 1^st. What about the battle between Cal Coast and Santa Barbara for the third and final spot on the podium. As mentioned above, the first runner for each team was in earlier, Gardiner in 4^th for Cal Coast and Snow in 5^th for Santa Barbara. That pattern held for the second runners as Cal Coast’s Vermeulen [14^th] established a gap that Santa Barbara’s Booth [15^th]could not close, giving CC a two point lead after the first two runners. But that was all she wrote for Cal Coast. Santa Barbara would bring 4 runners home before the next Cal Coast runner came in. This was not their day. Mejia-Perez, DeVreese, Harding and Swan would finish 18^th, 25^th, 26^th and 28^th; Santa Barbara took the 3^rd spot on the podium by 25 points. But next year could be another story. Last year there was an unattached runner named Mitchell who won the championship and he wound up on his most competitive local area team this year, Bowerman. Next year it looks like Cal Coast could have a similar recruit. If so, their competitiveness will be enhanced.

M40+ PODIUM:

Boulder Running Company 38 [Gutierrez, Grauch, Biglow, Siemers, Greenslit]

Bowerman Track Club 39 [Mitchell, A. Bauman, O. Bauman, Gordon, Whiteside ]

Santa Barbara Running and Racing 89 [Snow, Booth, Mejia-Perez, DeVreese, Harding]

Club Grand Prix Points won:

Boulder Running Company A                                      100

Bowerman Track Club A                                                90

Santa Barbara Running and Racing A                        80

Cal Coast A                                                                          70

LRC Racing A                                                                       60

Flatirons Running A                                                         55

Fleet Feet Sports Boulder Racing A                          50

Highlands Ranch Running Club A                               45

50+: In 2014 the podium was comprised of: Genesee Valley Harriers 19 [David Bischoff, John Van Kerkhove, Tim Dwyer, Mark Rybinski, Tim McMullen]; Athletics Boulder 39 [Ted Kennedy, Rick Bruess, Kevin Cooper, Charles Shapiro, Eddie Metro]; Revolution Running 69 [Richard Luck, Jeffrey Rheiner, Fred Beavers, Brian Bell, Michael Keilson]

In 2015 quite a few new challengers appeared. Cal Coast brought a strong team for this division and a strong team came in from the Midwest, Playmakers Elite/New Balance, the reigning Club Grand Prix champions. In addition local teams, Colorado Racing and LRC Racing contested the championship. And the competition was a dandy with only twenty points separating first from fifth.

Pete Magill, the seasoned veteran, drew first blood for Cal Coast, outduelling Athletic Boulders’ David Litoff, for a 3 second victory in the team competition. But a half minute later the dynamic duo of Genesee Valley, Mike Nier and Alan Evans, more than answered as they came in three seconds apart in 3^rd and 4^th. 

Pete Magill, the wily veteran (#192) biding his time on the shoulder of Daniel Greer, Colorado Racing Club, trying to lead his team, Cal Coast, to victory in the Men's 50+ team competition at the USA Masters Cross Country Championship in Boulder CO on Feb 07 2015

Right after that Athletics Boulder got a 2^nd runner in as well when Daniel King came in 6 seconds later in 5^th. Two seconds after that, Colorado Racing was heard from when Andrew Ames chugged in to claim 6^th. Cal Coast got a boost when David Olds nailed 7^th place but Athletics Boulder had an answer again with Dan Spale in 8^th. Playmakers was then heard from as their strong pack of Eric Stuber, J.D. Pepper, and Ron Zywicki came in within 7 seconds of one another in 9^th, 10^th, and 12^th, sandwiching Colorado Racing’s Keith Johnson who claimed 11^th. At this point everything still hung in the balance. Cal Coast had 8 points from 2 runners, Athletics Boulder had 15 points from 3 runners, Colorado Racing had 17 points from 2 runners, and Playmakers Elite had 31 points from 3 runners. If the rest of the Playmakers pack could come in strong, they still had a good chance for the podium.

Playmakers Elite runners, Eric Stuber (#244), Ruben Henderson (#154), and J.D. Pepper (#211), try to keep their pack together in an effort to claim the prize in the Men's 50+ division at the USA Masters Cross Country Championship in Boulder CO on Feb 07 2015

 Alas, whether it was the altitude or the strength of the competition, it was not their day. And it was the same story for Colorado Racing after their third runner, Daniel Greer, claimed 13^th; it was just too big a gap back to their 4^th runner. So that left it to Cal Coast, Athletics Boulder and Genesee Valley. The next salvo was fired by Genesee when Joseph Mora and David Bischoff came in 16 seconds apart in 14^th and 15^th, with Bischoff beating Cal Coast’s Thomas Schumann by just 3 seconds. 

Genesee Valley Harrier's Joseph Mora (#202) pacing his way through the middle of the race focusing on building gaps between him and other team's racers, like Revolution Running's Eric Patterson (#210) trying valiantly to keep pace at the USA Masters Cross Country Championship in Boulder CO on Feb 07 2015

When Dan Arsenault finished in 20^th for Cal Coast, that gave them and Genesee 4 runners in while Athletics Boulder only had 3 runners in. David Crowe gave them their 4^th runner in though by finishing in 22^nd. All 3 teams had 4 runners in with Genesee at 36, Athletics Boulder at 37, and Cal Coast  a bit further back at 44. As with the 40+ teams, this one too comes down to the 5^th runner!  Cal Coast needed their 5^th runner to come in soon for any chance at the top two spots, but not this time. Among this trio of teams, Genesee Valley actually took the next two positions with Theodore Schnaufer and Mark Rybinski finishing within 3 seconds of one another in 23^rd and 25^th. That gave Genesee Valley 59 points and the win! For a while it looked like Cal Coast might have a shot at 2^nd when their Mike Filipow came chugging in to take 27^th place. But 7 seconds later that hope was dashed as Rick Bruess claimed the 28^th spot, giving Athletics Boulder 65 points to Cal Coast’s 71. Another terrific contest in the books at the USA Masters XC championships.

M50+ PODIUM:

Genesee Valley Harriers 59 [Nier, Evans, Mora, Bischoff, Schnaufer)

Athletics Boulder 65 [Litoff, King, Spale, Crowe, Bruess ]

Cal Coast Track Club 71 [Magill, Olds, Schumann, D. Arsenault, Filipow]

Club Grand Prix Points won:

Genesee Valley Harriers A                                           100

Athletics Boulder A                                                         90

Cal Coast  A                                                                         80

Colorado Racing Club A                                                  70

Playmakers Elite/New Balance A                               60

LRC Racing A                                                                       55

Revolution Running A                                                    50

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

60+:  In 2014 the podium consisted of Boulder Road Runners A 25 [Doug Bell, John Roeske, Richard Katz, Dave Dooley, Carl Mohr]; Ann Arbor Track Club 30 [Lloyd Hansen, Terry McCluskey, John Tarkowski, Wally Hayes, Dave Minier]; Boulder Road Runners B 76 [James Christoph, Chuck Lowrie, Richard Castro, Rich Holston, Donald Price].

Between last year and this year, in part out of concern about the difficulty of maintaining healthy 5-man teams, USATF decided to return to the rule that team scores be determined by 3, not 5, runners. In 2015, the Boulder Road Runners A team returned largely intact. The only change was the addition of Devin Croft, a strong runner who finished 5^th in his age group in the 2014 .US National Road Race in December 2014. Ann Arbor TC returned with a somewhat weakened team when Terry McCluskey, their celebrated long distance runner and previous Masters Runner of the Year, declined to join them this year. And there was a new Boulder Road Runners B team that consisted of runners who did not run last year in this race. Newly minted into the 60+ group, John Victoria has a a couple of 18:37 5K’s to his name in 2013 as well as a 66 minute+ ten mile run. That gives BRR B a very plausible front runner. Heath Hibbard does not appear to be quite as strong on the flat, as Victoria but has an interesting mix of mountain running that helps for running XC at altitude. And they also have Chuck Smead who, in the 2012 USA Club Cross Country Championships in Lexington Kentucky, finished within shouting distance of the Atlanta Track Club’s Kirk Larson, which suggests Smead is pretty swift too. And Rich Sandoval ran unattached in this race last year as a 59 year old; his time suggests he would be competitive with Ann Arbor’s Hayes. So both of the Boulder Road Runner teams look strong; Ann Arbor clearly had their work cut out for them. The Genesee Valley Harriers also sent a team which did not appear to be quite as strong as these three but would need to be reckoned with if anyone faltered.

Lloyd Hansen (#150)  battling for Ann Arbor Track Club and establishing a gap on Boulder Road runner's John Roeske (#223) who is trying to maintain contact in the Men's 60+ team competition at the USA Masters Cross Country Championship in Boulder CO on Feb 07 2015

The suspense for Ann Arbor, in terms of possibly getting a first or second place,  did not last long at the finish line. The young legs of Boulder B’s Victoria took the crown as the Boulder A team’s Doug Bell stormed into 2^nd place, 16 seconds back. The two Boulder Road Runner teams traded back and forth over the next few spots, with B’s Heath Hibbard in 3^rd and A’s Devin Croft in 4^th followed by B’s Chuck Smead in 5^th. With just 3 runners scoring this year, that was enough to give Boulder B a final score of 9 points and the win. Boulder A had 2 runners in and 6 points before Ann Arbor was heard from. John Tarkowski and Lloyd Hansen took 6^th and 8^th for Ann Arbor, giving them some hope as long as Boulder A did not have a 3^rd runner in. Genesee’s Doc Rappole with his 7^th place finish just a second behind Tarkowski , split the 2 Ann Arbor runners to give them some hope of a podium finish. But Boulder A’s John Roeske popped the 2^nd place bubble for Ann Arbor when he came home in 10^th place to give them a final score of 16. But would Ann Arbor stay on the podium? When Michael Reif, Sr. and Bruce Wilkins took 11^th and 13^th for Genesee, that gave them a final score of 31 points. Ann Arbor needed their 3^rd runner to finish soon. As it turned out, Wally Hayes was following hard on the hells of Genesee’s Wilkins, finishing only 7 seconds back in 14^th place. That gave Ann Arbor 28 points and the final place on the podium. Genesee Valley did, nonetheless, collect some nice Club Grand Prix points.

M60+ PODIUM:

Boulder Road Runners B 9 [Victoria, Hibbard, Smead)

Boulder Road Runners A  16 [Bell, Croft, Roeske]

Ann Arbor Track Club A 28 [Tarkowski, Hansen, Hayes]

Club Grand Prix Points won:

Boulder Road Runners B                                               100

Boulder Road Runners A                                               90

Ann Arbor Track Club A                                                 80

Genesee Valley Harriers A                                           70

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

70+: The 2014 podium was: Santa Barbara Athletic Association 10 [Larry Brooks, Al Sladek, John Brennand]; Boulder Road Runners A 11 [Tom Lemire, Jim Romero, Bill Faulkner]; Boulder Road Runners B 24 [Roger Wittner, Henry Kaplan, Charles Westley].

This year Santa Barbara has not sent a 70+ team but Atlanta Track Club did.  The two Boulder Road Runner teams are back but this year the A team has their long time ace, Jan Frisby back and on his game. On paper that looks like enough to turn back the Atlanta challenge but the proof is on the race course. Jan Frisby got things started for Boulder A by taking the 1^st place in the team competition. 

Jan Frisby (#134) runs with the younger guys as he stretches his lead in the Men's 70+ competition with the goal of bring home the team trophy for the Boulder Road Runners at the USA Masters Cross Country Championship in Boulder CO on Feb 07 2015

Four minutes later Tom Lemire came in to claim 2^nd for them as well. Things were looking good with 3 points for their first two runners.  Atlanta’s Ron Mastin was able to slip in before Boulder A’s 3^rd runner. But when their 3^rd runner, Bill Faulkner, came in 4^th, the A team of the Boulder Road Runners had 7 points and a decisive win. Ed Bligh and David Turner came in 5^th and 6^th for Atlanta, giving them 14 points and 2^nd place. Like last year the B team’s Roger Wittner, Bill Buffum, and Henry Kaplan, took the next 3 spots to wind up 3^rd in the contest.

M70+ PODIUM

Boulder Road Runners A 7 [Frisby, Lemire, Faulkner]

Atlanta Track Club A 14 [Mastin, Bligh, Turner]

Boulder Road Runners B 24 [Wittner, Buffum, Kaplan]

Club Grand Prix Points won:

Boulder Road Runners A                                               100

Boulder Road Runners B                                               90

Atlanta Track Club A                                                        80

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

80+: In 2014, the Boulder Road Runners A team, consisting of top 3 runners Mike Fenerty, Verne Carlson and Donald Hayes were unopposed so took 1^st place by default.

This year, they added a B team but there was little doubt of the outcome. Boulder Road Runners A stormed to the win, sweeping the first three positions with Carlson, Fenerty and Hayes finishing in that order.  The B team took the remaining positions with William Smythe, Kenneth Wright and Charles Howe in 4^th, 5^th, and 6^th.

M80+ PODIUM

Boulder Road Runners A 6 [Carlson, Fenerty, Hayes]

Boulder Road Runners B 15 [Smythe, Wright, Howe]

Club Grand Prix Points won:

Boulder Road Runners A                                               100

Boulder Road Runners B                                               90

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Commentary: On the men’s side, the Colorado teams successfully defended their turf in every age group but one. They were hard-pressed in the M40+ group but managed the victory by a single point over the powerful Bowerman Track Club of Portland Oregon. But in the M50+ category, the Genesee Valley Harriers sent a team from upstate New York on the shores of Lake Ontario, that was strong and focused on getting the win.

The ‘Age is just a Number’ Team Mention for the men goes to the 40+ Bowerman Track Club, whoo had two 50+ runners on their team, although Mike Blackmore was the only one of the two to affect the score by displacing runners from other scoring teams.

Tightest Pack Award for a team on the podium goes to

5-man teams

40+ Boulder Running Company  [top 5 within 1:19]

40+ Bowerman Track Club  [top 5 within 2:42]

40+ Fleet Feet [top 5 within 2:42]

Best team performance across the age group categories goes to Boulder Road Runners with a 1^st and 2nd in 60+, 1^st and 3^rd in 70+ and 1^st and 2^nd in 80+.

Finally the across the ages, Team Age-Grading contest.  Take the top 3 teams with the 3 lowest age-grading scores across all age groups. This seems to e the best way to keep an even playing field between teams entered in the 40+/50+ groups and the 60+/70+/80+ groups…and also keeps men’s and women’s teams the same.

The Age-Grading Team Podium:

Athletics Boulder 5,7,9 = 21

[David Litoff 84.20%, Daniel King 83.99%, Dan Spale 83.65%]

Boulder Running Company 1, 16, 24=41

[Simon Gutierrez 87.22%, Andrew Biglow 82.37%, Chris Grauch 81.34%]

Cal Coast 4, 19, 22=45

[Pete Magill 84.34%, John Gardiner 81.80%, Jerome Vermeulen 81.37%]