Recap of USATF Masters Marathon Championships at the Twin Cities Marathon on October 4 2015

October 15 2015. On a beautiful day in early October, Masters runners contended for Marathon supremacy at the top of the Great Lakes area at the Twin Cities Marathon (TCM) in Minnesota which runs from Minneapolis to St Paul. This was the 25th year for the USATF Masters Marathon Championship to be part of the TCM.

Overall Race.

Women.  There appeared to be 5 contenders for the overall Masters win. Sheri Piers (Falmouth ME) was back to defend her title; her time last year a sparkling 2:42:46! Her running partner, Kristin Barry (Scarborough ME), 3rd in 2:52:19, also returned to challenge for a medal. New challengers included Jennifer Schulze (Clive IA) who ran a 2:47 at Grandma's Marathon last year, Megan Skeels (Aledo TX), who ran a 1:17:12 20K race earlier thisi year and has a 2:42:40 to her credit from the 2012 Olympic Trials, and Molly Friel (Fresno CA), who ran a 2:41:30 and a 2:44:59 in two different west coast marathons in 2014. Unfortunately Skeels was unable to compete in the event.

The first 5K went about as expected as Piers took the lead in 18:55, with Schulze 11 seconds back and Barry and Friel about a  half minute behind Schulze. At that point Piers was only 8 seconds off her 2014 winning pace, nothing to be concerned about. Any fans from Maine would have been quite happy at that point with Piers leading the way and Barry running a half minute faster than her 2014 pace, in 3rd. The race continued without surprises through the 10K mark, at least as far as position was concerned,with the order the same as at the 5K, except that Friel was now up on Barry's shoulder challenging for 3rd place. By the halfway mark there was a hint of an upset in the making although too early to tell. Schulze crossed the mat with Piers on her shoulder 1 second back in 1:20:13 and 14. And now Friel was firmly in 2nd with almost a minute lead over Barry. But then the wheels came off for Piers and it was clear this would not be her day. Something was not right and the Marathon is unforgiving. In 2014, Piers covered the distance from 13.1 to 30K in 34:28; this time it took her 39:01. So at the 30K mark it was Schulze in the lead at 1:55:29 with Friel 2 and a half minutes behind her. Piers was 3 and a half minutes back and fading, and Barry a little over 4 minutes back. By the 21 mile mark, Barry too had passed Piers and that was the only remaining change to the finish. In the end, Schulze had an unexpected but well deserved win in 2:45:17. Friel, the elder stateswoman of the group at 48 years of age, pulled in 2nd in 2:47:48, with Barry taking her 2nd consecutive bronze medal in 2:50:17, two minutes faster than her 2014 time! Piers ran a gutsy last 5 miles to finish 4th overall in 2:52:23, nearly ten minutes slower than her time last year. We can be sure Piers will be back next year and looking to be down close to 2:40 again. If Schulze wants to defend her title she will definitely want to be at the top of her game next year.
Medalists: Schulze 2:45:17; Friel 2:47:48; Barry 2:50:17.

Start of the 2015 USATF Masters Marathon Championships at the Twin Cities Marathon on October 4 2015. Male masters Contenders, Clint Wells, just to the right of center in black and Bob Weiner, 2 runners to Wells's left with the orange visor [Photo: http://running.competitor.com/2015/10/photos/photos-2015-twin-cities-marathon_136778]

Men. Mbarak Hussein (Albuquerque NM) was back to defend his title. Now that he had turned 50 would there be a chink in his armor? There were four primary challengers who were hoping it was so. Josh Metcalf (Glencoe MN) was a local favorite. Stephen Muturi (Rochester MI), Michael Wardian (Arlington VA)  and Clint Wells (Boulder CO). Metcalf ran a 2:28:23 at Grandma's Marathon in June and had an early September tune-up Half Marathon in 1:09:20. Muturi had run a 2:26:02 in the Chicago Marathon two years earlier as a 38 year old. This would be his first Marathon as a Masters runner. Wardian was the runner-up last year, finishing 18 seconds behind Hussein. After the race,last year, Wardian indicated that he had been closing on Hussein but ran out of race course. Would things prove differently this year? Wells seemed a bit of a wild card; he had run a 2:23:11 at the TC Marathon in 2012 but had not run a fast marathon like that since. He did have two very fast half marathon races, in 1:07:57 at the NYC Half Marathon in March 2014 and a 1:07:09 at the 2015 USATF Half Marathon Masters Championships at the Rock N Roll San Diego Half Marathon at the end of May. But would he have the staying power?

Hussein, Metcalf, Muturi and Wells formed a lead pack early, going through the 5K mark in 17:06. Wardian was already well off the pace and, unless he had a terrific surge to unleash later in the race, may have been in trouble already, 40 seconds back. The big news between 5K and 10K was that a Wells surge had opened up a 14 second lead over the chase pack of Hussein, Metcalf and Muturi. Wardian went through in 35:23, nearly a minute and a half behind the chase pack and it was clear this would not be his day. Had he run too many marathons in the first half of the year? Few would advise running 6 in the first 4 months of the year. But then he ran a 7th at the end of May in under 2:30. So who is to say?

Wells hit the half marathon mark in a smoking 1:10:29! That was too much for the chase pack which came through 47 seconds later. Did Wells go out too fast? Would he pay the price in the later stages of the race? In any case by the time they hit the 30K (about 18.6 miles) mark, Wells had padded his lead slightly to a full minute. And the chase pack was breaking up a bit as Metcalf left the other two 6 seconds further back. By 21 miles in, Wells was leading by 1:03 but now Hussein was leaving Muturi and closing to within 5 seconds of Metcalf. By the 24 mile mark, Hussein was on Metcalf's shoulder as they came through still a minute behind Wells. Muturi had been dropped and was now a full minute behind these 2 chasers. But was there enough time? Wells did slow over the final 2 miles 385 yards. In fact Hussein remarkably cut 53 seconds of Wells's 1:01 lead away but it was not enough. The race course ended and Wells was across the line in 2:24:00 for the gold, with Hussein 8 seconds back with a hard-earned silver. Metcalf closed off the podium with a 2:24:22.  It was quite a race, with only 22 seconds between 1st, 2nd and 3rd!

Even though Hussein was unable to defend his crown, he had the satisfaction of running the fastest Marathon by an American runner 50 years older and up. He broke the record established by the legendary Norm Green, of 2:29:11 set in May of 1984. Not only did Hussein break a record that had stood for over 30 years, he smashed it by over 5 minutes, an amazing feat! Ratification by USATF is in order but as Hussein already has the record for 40-44 and 45-49 year olds set on this course, it will, I hope, be just a formality.
Wells 2:24:00; Hussein 2:24:08; Metcalf 2:24:22.

In the Early Going, Clint Wells, #204, moves to the front of the Masters pack; Mbarak Hussein, in light blue, and Stephen Muturi, to Hussein's left, stay on pace a few strides back [photo: http://running.competitor.com/2015/10/photos/photos-2015-twin-cities-marathon_136778]

Age Groups.

Women.
40-44. Schulze, Barry and Piers, discussed above in the overall race took 1-2-3 in this category. Schulze 2:45:17, Barry 2:50:17, Piers 2:52:23.

45-49. Friel, who finished 2nd overall, took this group by over 6 minutes. But the two contenders for 2nd had more of a battle. Katherine Wolski (Knoxville TN) took it out hard from the gun, crossing the 5K mark in 20:33, with Amy Halseth (Indianapolis IN) 4 seconds back. But Halseth was able to duplicate that pace in the second 5K, hitting the 10K in 41:13 with Wolski now 20 seconds back. From there out Halseth steadily built a lead to take the silver n 2:54:05 to Wolski's broze medal time of 2:57:12. Friel 2:47:48; Halseth 2:54:05; Wolski 2:57:12.

50-54. The first two places int his group were pretty clear cut. Local favorite Wanda Gau (Little Falls MN) took the gold by over 12 minutes in 3:08:19, and Clarice Esslinger (Mankato MN) took the silver by over 6 minutes. Patricia Fasola came all the way from Mission Viejo CA to compete for a medal and did not go home empty handed as she finished 3:26:51 after the gun went off, in 3rd place. Gau 3:08:19; Esslinger 3:20:25; Fasola  3:25:51.

55-59.  Donella Neuhaus (Minneapolis MN) ran her fastest TC Marathon since 2011 but Margaret Sheridan (Woodbury MN) was not able to duplicate her times of the last few years. As a result the gold went to Neuhaus in 3:27:42. Sheridan took the silver 7 minutes back and about 18 minutes slower than last year. Clearly not the best of days for Sheridan but I trust she will be back to her former fitness by next year. Doris Windsand-Dausman traveled up from Oak Ridge TN to claim the bronze medal in 3:39:40. Neuhaus 3:27:42; Sheridan 3:34:51; Windsand-Dausman 3:39:40.

60-64. Andriette Wickstrom (Storm Lake IA), a terrific Masters runner, ran a fine marathon in 2014 only to finish way behind Christine Kennedy, who has set Masters age group records at a number of distances. This year she graduated to the 60-64 age group and Kennedy had pinpointed Chicago for a record try instead of the TC Marathon. In any case Wickstrom took the gold by over a half hour, running 3:22:49. Karen Manske (Stillwater MN) finished 2nd by a wide margin as well, with Debra Spence (Golden CO) in 3rd. Wickstrom 3:22:49; Manske 3:54:20; Spence 4:25:20.

65-69. The contest in this group was actually tighter than that in the next younger division. Carol Brouillard (Spring Lake Pa MN) ran the first 5K and the last 2 miles, 385 yards faster than Delma Bartelme (St Cloud MN) but in between Bartelme turned on the jets. The result was a 7 minute victory for Bartelme over Brouillard who, in turn, had a 13 minute margin on the bronze medalist, Mary Croft (Tucson AZ). Bartelme 4:10:58; Brouillard 4:18:23; Croft 4:31:31.

70-74. Irene Terronez (Rio Ranch NM) had this age group all to herself. With no need to hurry and a big reward for finishing the race, Terronez took the gold in 6:04:31.

Men.

40-44. As the summary of the overall race details, this group finished up: Wells  2:24:00; Metcalf 2:24:22; Muturi 2:26:37.

45-49. This year no one for this group was in the hunt for an overall medal. Tony Torres (Cedarglen CA) took it out fast, crossing the 5K mark in 17:31, a minute and a half ahead of his closest rival, Daniel Strike (Roseville MN). The 3rd major contender, Jim Koneazny (Pasadena CA) was a half minute further back. By the halfway point, Torres had more than 6 minutes on his two rivals and Strike was still almost a half minute ahead of Koneazny. But the next few miles were telling for 2nd and 3rd as Koneazny was running a negative split. By the 21 mile mark Koneazny was over a minute ahead of Strike and cruised in, taking the silver medal by 3 minutes over Strike. Torres 2:34:27;  Koneazny 2:40:05;  Strike  2:43:01.

50-54. Hussein took this  category by 12 minutes. Ken Pliska (Golden CO) and Bob Weiner (Evergreen CO) battled it out for medal honors. The race would have been even more interesting had two of the co-favorites for silver shown up, Spyros Barres (Mystic CT) and Ricardo Maldonado (Scottsdale AZ). As they did not, Pliska and Weiner went at it. Pliska took it out in 18:28 with Weiner hanging close 3 seconds back. Byt the 10K mark the margin was still only 4 seconds. But Pliska kept up the pressure and by the half marathon had a 23 second margin over Weiner, hitting it in 1:16:37. Pliska gradually built the lead to a little over two minutes. So even though Weiner closed fast enough to cut 18 seconds off of Pliska's lead, it was not enough. Hussein 2:24:08; Pliska 2:36:01; Weiner 2:38:10.

55-59. Tom Dever (Terre Haute IN), the terrific Masters runner topped off an excellent year with a dominating performance at Twin Cities, winning the age group by nearly 15 minutes. Earlier in the year he ran a 1:18:55 at the Indy Mini Marathon and then a few weeks later, finished 2nd to the indomitable Brian Pilcher at the USATF Half Marathon championships as part of the Rock N Roll San Diego Half Marathon in 1:17:12. On this day he crossed the half marathon mat in 1:20:35 and finished in 2:49:46. Local favorite, Dennis Wallach (Chanhassen MN) finished 15 minutes back, edging Thomas Prentice (Winter Haven FL) by a mere 15 seconds. Prentice passed the halfway mark in 1:28:53 with a 2:20 lead over Wallach but Wallach stayed on pace but didn't close to within 2 minutes until the 24 mile mark. But from that point on Wallach closed in, passed, and took the silver medal. Dever 2:49:46; Wallach 3:04:36; Prentice 3:04:51.

60-64. Thomas Gaudette (Palos Hills IL) took this division in 3:26:58, followed by Denny Jordan (Roseville MN) a bit over 4 minutes back and Jerry Heaps (Apple Valley MN) nailing 3rd 25 minutes later. Gaudette 3:26:58; Jordan 3:31:16; Heaps 3:56:26.

65-69. Leroy Jordan (Backus MN) ran a strong 3:24:01 to take this group. Mick Justin (Misswa MN) was 25 minutes back in second, followed across the line 3 and a half minutes later by John Naslund  (Bloomington MN) in 3rd. Jordan  3:24:01; Justin 3:45:05; Naslund 3:48:37.

70-74. Les Martisko (North Mankato MN) had this division all to himself, finishing the race in 5:25:03 to take gold.

75-79. Surprisingly there was much more competition in this age group  but John Ouweleen (Sebastien FL) knows how to handle competition. He ran 3:23:42 to take this division by nearly 29 minutes over his chief rival, Joseph Burgasser (St. Petersburg FL). Forty-one minutes after Burgasser claimed the silver medal, Ed Rousseau (Minneapolis MN) took 3rd. Ouweleen 3:23:42; Burgasser 3:52:14; Rousseau 4:33:13.

80 and up. Bill Dodson (Mountain View CA) had this group to himself and became the oldest gold medalist by stepping out smartly, keeping up a good pace, and finishing in 4:28:27.

Age-Graded performances.

To compare performances across age groups, USATF utilizes Age-grading to level the playing field. Each athlete's performance is assigned an age-grade based upon how close the finishing time is to the world's best. If one matches the world's best, that is a 100% score; 90% is a world-class time and 80% is national class. There is no adjustment for difficulty of course so TC Marathon age-grades are likely to be a bit lower than other flatter, faster marathons.

For both the women and the men, the 2nd place finisher had the highest age-grade score. The overall winners had the 3rd and 4th best age-grade score respectively. John Ouweleen at 75 is the oldest runner among the top age grades; Andriette Wickstrom has the honors on the women's side.

Women. 
1st Molly Friel, 48, 2:47:50  89.49%
2nd Andriettte Wickstrom, 60, 3:22:49 86.75%
3rd Jenny Schulze, 43, 2:45:17 86.35%
4th Katherine Wolski, 49, 2:57:14 85.79%
5th Wanda Gau, 53, 3:08:19 84.94%
6th Donella Neuhaus, 59, 3:27:42 83.53%
7th Sheri Piers, 44, 2:52:25 83.50%
8th Amy Halseth, 45, 2:54:08 83.46%

Men.
1st Mbarak Hussein, 50, 2:24:08 95.19%
2nd Ken Pliska, 50, 2:36:04 87.91%
3rd Jason Ryf (Oshkosh WI), 44, 2:28:27 87.85%
4th Clint Wells, 40, 2:22:00 87.80%
5th Josh Metcalf, 40, 2:22:20 87.58%
6th  John Ouweleen, 75, 3:23:42 87.11%
7th Tom Dever, 58, 2:49:48 86.83%
8th Bob Weiner, 50, 2:38:10 86.74%
 

Brief Preview of USATF 5 Kilometer Masters Cross Country Championships-Individual Races

October 17 2015. The 2015 USATF 5 Kilometer Masters Cross Country Championships will be held tomorrow at the Saratoga Spa State Park in Saratoga Springs NY as part of the Saratoga Cross Country Classic. Race Director, Pat Glover has done a terrific job of bringing together a field of top individual runners and teams. Nearly 300 Masters runners are registered including some of the top Masters runners in the country. Between the women and the men there will be 40 teams competing for team honors in the various age categories from 40+ to 70+.  While most teams are from the northeast, the Impala Racing team competing for the 60+ crown comes all the way from San Francisco. On the men's side it is much the same except that the Atlanta Track Club is sending both a 40+ and a 70+ team up from the South.

Brief Preview. With apologies, I admit that I will only have time to do a brief and incomplete preview of the races. There are too many events and too many other things going on with various running and teaching enterprises. Previews and picks will, by necessity, be based on my existing knowledge of top Masters runners. And, because the road 5K championships were only 2 weeks ago at a relatively nearby location, many of the same runners are entered; I will rely heavily on those results. If there are others with whom I am not familiar or who did not compete at Syracuse, they will be undervalued in this preview but will shine in the recap!

Individual Races. 
Women.
Overall. This looks like a repeat of the recent USATF Masters 5k road championships in Syracuse. The three main contenders from that race are all registered. Marisa Sutera Strange (Athena Track Club) will enter as the favorite based on her strong win in Syracuse. Karen Simmonds-Brady, who finished 2nd at Syracuse is not entered but Renee Tolan (Kinetic Running Club) and Jennifer St. Jean (Westchester Track Club) are. Tolan finished third at Syracuse but St. Jean, who ws expected to compete for a top spot, was kept away by family responsibilities related to the threat of Hurricane Joaquin. There are many imponderables but thinking of St. Jean as more of a track runner, I'll pick: Strange, Tolan and St. Jean.

Men.
Overall. Using the same logic, Chad Newton (Atlanta Track Club) is the favorite after his 2nd place finish to Greg Mitchell who is not entered here. His two teammates who finished 2nd and 4th at Syracuse, Alan Black and Kristian Blaich, are elsewhere this weekend. So I will go with the 3rd and 5th place finishers from Syracuse, Philippe Rolly (Baltimore Washington Track Club) and Nat Larson (unaffiliated). Newton, Rolly, Larson.

Age Groups.
Women.
40-44. Of those who ran Syracuse and are entered here it would look like Tolan for 1st, and Genesee Valley Harrier teammates, Heather Webster for 2nd and Melissa Senall for 3rd. But, as noted above, St. Jean is a wild card here. To be consistent,, I should pick her for the 2nd place finish: Tolan. St. Jean, Webster.

45-49. The 2nd and 3rd place finishers from Syracuse, Emily Bryans (Willow Street AC) and Audra Naujokas-Knapp (Genesee Valley Harriers) are the favorites to go 1-2 here. But none of the other top finishers from Syracuse are entered. In the absence of other information, I will go with Cecilia Regan (Greater Philadelpia TC) on the grounds that she had farther to travel so must have felt she had a shot at a good race finish. Bryans, Naujokas-Knapp, Regan.

50-54. The top finishers from Syracuse are back at it again. I will let their finishes there be my guide with one exception: Strange for a big win. Karyl Sargent (Syracuse Track Club) enjoyed a one second victory over  Lorraine Jasper (Athena Track Club). That sounds like it was, perhaps, a good kick from Sargent that got the win. Just for fun let us see if Jasper has learned how to beat Sargent on a cross country course. If so these two rivals from the Northeast will have split top honors at these two national championships. Strange, Jasper, Sargent.

55-59. The 2nd, 3rd, and 5th place finishers from Syracuse are back to compete on the Saratoga paths. Collen Magnussen  (GVH) should take the crown by a wide margin over her teammate,. Marie White (GVH). White was 5th at Syracuse but finished over 2 minutes back. This looks like a division begging for more analysis. Perhaps there is another contender who can upset the apple-cart and take the 2nd away from White. I will guess that Nancy Simmons (Tamalpa Runners) will not have made a coast-to-coast trip without at least some thought of a medal. Magnussen, Simmons, White.

60-64. As in Syracuse this division should go to Kathy Martin (Northport Running Club) by a very wide margin. Athena and GVH rivals, Coreen Steinbach and Sharon Moore respectively, should duke it out for 2nd. Just for fun let's say the Moore will out-duel Steinbach this time and reverse the 3 second victory Steinbach enjoyed at Syracuse. Martin. Moore, Steinbach.

65-69. This is a tough one to handicap without a bit of research. None of the leaders from Syracuse is entered. I will make the west coast import, JoAnne Rowlands (Impala rcing Team) the favorite based on her win at Brea CA in the 8K championship in February. I will make a guess that Carolyn Smith-Hanna (GVH) can take 2nd. But who will be the other contender? In this case I go with the unaffiliated runner, Terry Foody, since none of the entrants are making a long trip and there is no other basis for picking. An unaffiliated runner is deciding to make the race on her own so may have a good chance. Rowlands, Smith-Hanna,Foody.

70-74. This is, surprisingly, an empty category so easy to handicap.

75-79. Madeline Bost (Morristown County Striders) should make it two in a row with a win at Saratoga Springs today. For now I will go with Sandra Folzer (Greater Phildelphi Track Club) on the grounds that she had farther to travel. Bost, Folzer, and that leaves Marge Raczjewski (Saratoga Striders) in 3rd. Bost, Folzer, Racjzewski.

80-84. Mary Harada (Liberty Athletic Club) is the only entrant and so a very safe pick for the win., a gold medal trip from the Greater Boston area. Harada.

Men.
40-44. Rolly is the only predicted top overall finisher from the 40-44 group. So who will be fighting him for 40-44 supremacy? Mark Williams and Volker Burkowski finished 7th and 9th st Syracuse, 19 and 39 seconds respectively behind Rolly. Rolly, Williams, Burkowski.

45-49.  Newton should take the gold by a strong margin. Tim van Orden (Central Mass Striders) and Jeff Conston (Westchester TC) finished 3rd and 6th at Syracuse so I make them my 2nd and 3rd picks.

50-54. Here I will pick Mike Nier (GVH) and Alan Evans (GVH) to be again attempting to chase down the unaffiliated Nat Larson. They could not get it done at Dedham in the 10K in April, nor 2 weeks ago in Syracuse. But perhaps the cross country paths are more to their liking. GVH has had great success at cross country over the years. And Francis Burdett, if at full fitness as earlier this year when he won gold in this group in the mountains and on the west coast, will try to break things up. We shall see; this should be a race to watch! Larson, Niers, Evans.

55-59.  None of the top 12 from Syracuse are entered here so there is no hope there. Turning back to the 10K at Dedham earlier in the year do I get any help? John Griego (Central Mass Striders) took 7th in that race. except for that, I am picking blind. I will pick one from the unaffiliated group, Gary Burak and one of the two who traveled the farthest, either Charles Shields or Carl Stocking. Griego, Burak, Shields.

60-64. From hardly any information to lots. This race is comparatively easy to handicap as it looks like a classic 'nor'easter'--a battle between Jersey and New York. The interlopers from west and south are not here today. Reno Stirrat (Shore AC) who took 3rd at Syracuse is the favorite today, followed by those who finished 4th and 8th, Mark Rybinski (GVH) and Stirrat's teammate, Patrick Gaughan (Shore AC). Stirrat only beat Rybinski by a second at Syracuse and Rybinski will have great incentive to turn the tables but for now I will stick with Stirrat for the win.  Stirrat, Rybinski, Gaughan.

65-69. Bill Dixon (Greater Lowell Road Runners), the victor and one of the top age-graders at Syracuse, is entered so is the strong favorite.  Doc Rappole (GVH) finished 3rd at Syracuse but is on the comeback trail from an injury so I guess he is still improving. So he is a strong 2nd place prediction. Bob Giambolvo (unaffiliated) was one of my predictions for being a medal contender at Syracuse but he did not run. So I will add him to the list. He could take 2nd from Rappole.Dixon, Rappole, Giambalvo.

70-74. In the absence of Doug Goodhue, Przemyslaw Nowicki (Shore AC) becomes the favorite after his strong silver medal run at Syracuse. His teammate, J.L. Seymore, should have a good shot at 2nd. After that it is hard to tell. Using my earlier logic I will go with the only unaffiliated runner in the group, Thomas Murtaugh, Sr.. Nowicki, Seymore, Murtaugh.

75-79.  John Elliott (Potomac Valley Track Club) was the favorite to take this age group at Syracuse before the threat of Hurricane Joaquin kept him home. He will be the favorite at Saratoga Springs. Ron Mastin (Atlanta Track Club) and Roland Cormier (Shore AC) who finished 1st and 2nd at Syracuse, will be chasing him down. Elliott, Mastin, Cormier.

80-84. There is no help here as neither of the entrants competed at Syracuse. I will go witht he runn er making the longer trip and make Joe Desenberg (Anna Arbor TC) the favorite, with local runner, Walter McConnell (Adirondack TC) in 2nd. Desenberg, McConnell.

Recap of 2015 USATF Masters 5K Championships at Syracuse Festival of Races

October 10 2015. The weather in Syracuse NY this past Sunday was near perfect for long distance running, upper 40's/low 50's, overcast skies with no threat of rain and not too much wind. And 200 or so Elite Masters runners took advantage of the opportunity to race a fast 5K at this national championship. Enthusiastic spectators cheered on a terrific morning of races!

Overall Masters Champions.
Women. In my preview I had this as a race between Cassandra Henkiel (Austin TX), Renee Tolan (Clifton Park NY), Jennifer St. Jean (Darien CT), and Marisa Sutera Strange, with Michelle LaFleur (Savannah GA) another possible contender. Hurricane Joaquin had no direct effect on the race but its run up the coast kept some eastern seaboard runners at home, especially those with family responsibilities. Both St. Jean and LaFleur had to withdraw. We hope they have better luck next year and find their way to the championships.  Karen Simmonds-Brady (Auburn NY) caught me by surprise; I had her just off the top group. Adding her and deleting LaFleur and St. Jean fom the list gives us the top 4 finishers. Henkiel is the USATF 8K champion from the February race in Brea CA and Strange is the USATF 10K champion from the April race in Dedham MA. As it turned out, it was not Henkiel's day as Simmonds-Brady, Strange, and Tolan sped away right from the start.

Start of the Women's Race. Strange is on the left in black with sunglasses. [photo: Paul Carlin, the Running Prof--www.runningprof.com]

By the halfway point it was the elder of the group, Strange, aged 52 who was pushing the pace, and the two 40-something youngsters were hanging on. Strange crossed the halfway mat in 8:46 with Tolan and Simmonds-Brady 4 seconds back. From there Strange was able to maintain the pace and surge to a dominating 22 second win in 17:38. Simmonds-Brady and Tolan had quite the battle for second, with Simmonds-Brady pulling away to take second by 3 seconds in 18 minutes flat. Henkiel gradually closed on the pair over the second half of the race but still came in 4th. Strange pocketed her second overall Masters Championship this year!

1st Strange 17:38; 2nd Simmonds-Brady 18:00; 3rd Tolan 18:03.

Marisa Sutera Strange celebrating her overall win at the USATF 5K Masters Championships [photo by Bob Brock at-https://www.flickr.com/photos/65126171@N02]

And here's a link to a photo of Simmonds-Brady finishing 2nd:

Simmonds-Brady nailing her 2nd place finish [photo by Bob Brock--https://www.flickr.com/photos/65126171@N02/21945739676/in/dateposted/]

Men. My preview featured Greg Mitchell (McMinville OR) as the defending champions and strong favorite, with Atlanta Track Club teammates, Alan Black Hillsboro GA), Kristian Blaich (Decatur GA), and Chad Newton (Pisgah Forest NC) in the hunt for 2nd and 3rd. Philippe Rolly (McLean VA) had the chance to break that group up if he had a stellar day. Mitchell left nothing to chance and left no doubt as to who was the fastest 5K masters runner on this day. He crossed the half way mat in 7:31, already 13 seconds ahead of Black. Black, in turn, had ten seconds on Newton and Blaich. Mitchell was gunning to better his 15:03 of last year but wasn't able to maintain the pace he needed, finishing in 15:08, half a minute clear of Black who finished second. Newton shaved a few seconds off of Black's halfway lead but was still 7 seconds back in 15:48. Blaich was three seconds back in fourth. Rolly rounded out the top five.
1st Mitchell 15:08; 2nd Black 15:41; 3rd Newton 15:48.

Greg Mitchell adding to his gold medal collection! [photo by Bob Brock at https://www.flickr.com/photos/65126171@N02]

Age-Group Contests.
Women.
40-44.  As you see from the overall recap, Simmonds-Brady and Tolan led the way for the 40-44 age group. Strange and Henkiel are not in this age group. That left the third spot on the podium wide open. Heather Webster (Honeoye Falls NY) was up to the task finishing 13 seconds behind Tolan for the bronze medal.
1st Simmonds-Brady 18:00; 2nd Tolan 18:03; 3rd Heather Webster 18:16.

Renee Tolan capturing 3rd overall at the USATF 5K Championships [photo by Bob Brock at https://www.flickr.com/photos/65126171@N02/21959764892/in/dateposted/]

45-49. Although not able to walk away with an open medal, Cassandra Henkiel had a better shot at the 45-49 gold medal. I picked her to win the age group by a wide margin, followed by Emily Bryans (Schenectady NY). I was unsure about whether to pick Audra Naujokas-Knapp or Laurie Wharton for third. In the end, I opted for Wharton, noting nonetheless that Naujokas-Knapp might have a tad more speed to tap into. If so, 3rd and 4th could be reversed. Henkiel blazed past the halfway point in 9:07, with Bryans right on her shoulder. Would there be an upset? No, Henkiel matched her 9:07 on the second half to finish with an even paced 18:14. Bryans was not able to keep up with her but came in at 18:27. At the same time in the race for 3rd, Naujokas-Knapp went out strong and built a 20 second lead over Wharton. And although Wharton tried valiantly, she was not able to close the gap as Naujokas-Knapp took the bronze medal in 20:10, with Wharton a half minute back in 4th.
1st Henkiel 18:14; 2nd Bryans 18:27; 3rd Naujokas-Knapp 20:10

Henkiel after taking the 45-49 gold medal [photo by Bob Brock at https://www.flickr.com/photos/65126171@N02/21349177344/in/dateposted/]

50-54. Believe it or not, this was Strange's age group. It is rarely possible for a 52 year old to beat out all of the 40-44 and 45-49 year old runners but that is what happened. So clearly Strange picked up the age group win as well. But what of 2nd and 3rd? In a race with many strong runners, I picked Karyl Sargent (Lafayette NY) and Julie Pangburn (Malvern PA) for 2nd and 3rd. But I noted that any one of several runners could upset my predictions applecart. These included: Carol Bischoff (Macedon NY), Lorraine Jasper (Birchrunville PA), Kerry Monahan  (River Vale NJ), Betsy Stewart (West Chester PA), and Mary Swan (Penn Valley PA). All of this talent in one race led to the closest finish of the day for 2nd and 3rd. Jasper and Sargent went out strong, hitting the halfway point in 9:53 and 9:55. Sargent had just a little more closing power, however, as she finished off with a 10:02 second half to claim 2nd in 19:57 to Jasper's 19:58!  Bischoff, Monahan, Stewart and Swan all broke 22 minutes.
1st Strange 17:38; 2nd Sargent 19:57; 3rd Jasper 19:58.

55-59.  The pre-race favorite was Hall-of-Famer Carmen Ayala-Troncoso (Austin TX). I picked Elizabeth Besio (Camillus NY) and Cynthia Williams (Acworth GA) for 2nd and 3rd. It looked like Marie White (Henrietta NY) and Dianna Hinton (Waleska GA) would be left on the outside looking in. Ayala-Troncoso lived up to her reputation, covering the first half of the race in 9:24 and finishing at 19:14 to win the race by well over 2 minutes. In the race for 2nd, I overlooked Colleen Magnussen (Geneseo NY) and Elizabeth Besio, whom I picked, was not in the race. Magnussen ran a fast 10:45 for the first half of the race, opening up a 19 second gap over Williams. Although the pace slowed somewhat over the second half of the race, the gap widened. Magnussen ran over a minute faster than last year to claim 2nd by 32 seconds over Williams in 3rd.
1st Ayala-Troncoso 19:14; 2nd Magnussen 21:59; 3rd Williams 22:31

Hall-of-Famer Ayala-Troncoso surging to the tape to take her age group and some age-grading cash and bragging rights [photo by Bob Brock at https://www.flickr.com/photos/65126171@N02/21959771342/in/dateposted/]

60-64. This group also had a strong favorite. A late entrant, Hall-of-Famer and 2013 Masters Runner of the Year, Kathy Martin (Northport NY) was predicted to win by a wide margin. Last year's winner and runner-up Corinne Steinbach (Pompey NY)and Sharon Moore (Rochester NY) were predicted to finish in that order behind Martin, except that I had them in 3rd and 4th behind Margaret Taylor (Atlanta GA). Martin, as expected, ran away with the age group crown, crossing the halfway mat in 9:31 and finishing in 19:24 to win by well over 2 minutes. On this day Taylor was no competition for Steinbach and Moore however. Moore went over the halfway mat in 10:49 with Steinbach 5 seconds back and Taylor almost a half minute back. Steinbach was able to catch Moore, however, and pulled away towards the end for a 3 second margin.
1st Martin 19:24; 2nd Steinbach 22:01; 3rd Moore 22:04.

Hall-of_Famer, Martin, heading to the finish line to take her age group and the age-grading championship at over 100%--Clearly she's won so many age-grading championships at over 100% she can do it with her eyes closed! [photo by Bob Brock at https://www.flickr.com/photos/65126171@N02/21959773562/in/dateposted/]

65-69. Edie Stevenson (Boulder CO)  was a strong pre-race favorite, with Erika Campbell (Ridgewood NJ) picked to finish 2nd. Lynda McGuire (Scottsville NY), who finished 3rd last year, was picked to repeat.Stevenson ran a pretty even pace, crossing the halfway mat in 10:44, with Campbell 24 seconds back and coming home in 10:50 for a 60 second margin of victory. McGuire and Cande Olsen (Chatham NY) had quite a contest for 3rd. McGuire went out in 12:30 with Olsen 12 seconds back. But Olsen caught up and then pulled away over the 2nd half of the race to claim 3rd place.
1st Stevenson 21:34; 2nd Campbell 22:34; 3rd Olsen 25:30.

70-74. Jan Holmquist (Burlington MA), the American record holder for the 5K for this age group was, not surprisingly, the favorite. The only question was whether she could lower the 22:16 record she set on this course in 2014. Sue Gardinier (Verona NY), last year's bronze medalist, and Mac Mackenzie (Jamestown NY) were picked for 2nd and 3rd. Holmquist covered the first half of the course in 11:14 so a record looked unlikely; in 2014 she crossed the halfway mat in 10:59. But looks are soemtimes deceiving and that was the case here as Holmquist ran a classic negative split, surging to an 11:00 time for the second half of the course and a new record of 22:15! Gardinier delivered the predicted 2nd place in 27:48 with Mackenzie on course for 3rd three minutes back.
1st Holmquist 22:15 (US Age Group Record); 2nd Gardinier 27:48; 3rd Mackenzie 30:40.

Holmquist winning her age group and driving for the finish line to lower her own 5K record! [photo by Bob Brock at--https://www.flickr.com/photos/65126171@N02/21349210854/in/dateposted/

75-79. Madeline Bost (Randolph NJ), 2nd last year to living legend Libby James, looked to move up to 1st this year. But that would occur only if she could hold off the youngsters, Fran Rowe (Niagara Falls NY) and Estelle Hahn (Jamesville NY), who moved up from the 70-74 group to challenge for the win. Bost was on her game though, charging out to a 16:51, opening up a 30 second gap over Hahn, with Rowe another 6 seconds back. Bost came home smartly for the gold medal over a minute ahead of Hahn who took silver. Susan Hansen (E. Syracuse NY) had a strong 2nd half as she not only caught Rowe from 18 seconds back, but surged ahead to take 3rd by about 10 seconds.
1st Bost 34:18; Hahn 35:37; Hansen 35:53.

80-84. I guessed that Anny Stockman (Rensselaer NY) would successfully defend her gold medal with Edna Hyer (South Wales NY) taking the silver, and that's how it turned out for these running friends.
1st Stockman 37:32; Hyer 38:21

Edna Hyer (L) and Anny Stockman (R) sharing a good laugh after they crossed the finish line [photo by Dennis Nett | dnett@syracuse.com]

Men. 

Start of the Men's Race--Masters athletes include Atlanta Track Club 40+ Team of Blaich, Newton, Black and Whitis left of center in red singlets--Middle of pic, 2nd row, in sunglasses, is Ruben Henderson of Playmakers Elite. The head in the second row to Henderson's left, that is towering over all others appears to be his teammate, Dave Bussard. On the far right is the Genesee Valley Harriers team getting off to a strong start too. [photo by Dennis Nett | dnett@syracuse.com]

40-44. This group was a replay of the Overall race detailed above except that Newton and Blaich are from the M45 group so  Philippe Rolly rolls into 3rd behind Greg Mitchell and Alan Black.
1st Mitchell 15:08; 2nd Black 15:41; Rolly 16:10.

45-49. The first two prizes go to Chad Newton and  Kristian Blaich who finished 3rd and 4th overall. I had picked their Atlanta TC teammate, Matthew Whitis, for 3rd if he could hold off David Atkinson (Grand Blanc MI). Atkinson was, indeed, a tough challenger as was Tim Van Orden (Brattleboro VT) who snuck in under my radar. Van Orden went through the halfway mark in 8:09 with Atkinson only 4 seconds back. Whitis, coming though 13 seconds back, had to count on both fading a bit. In the end, neither did.Whitis ran a very even paced race but it was not enough as Van Orden held both off to take the bronze medal by ten seconds over Atkinson.
1st Newton 15:48; Blaich 15:51; Van Orden 16:27.

Newton, rolling to 3rd place overall and 1st in the 45-49 group-- [photo by Bob Brock at--https://www.flickr.com/photos/65126171@N02/21374884664/in/dateposted/]

Blaich rocking to 4th place overall, 2nd in the 45-49 group and 3rd in age-grading-- [photo by Bob Brock at--https://www.flickr.com/photos/65126171@N02/21809793238/in/dateposted/]

50-54. This group appeared it would be tightly contested. In my preview I mentioned 8 racers who were in contention. In the end, I picked a newcomer to the group up from M45, Brian Crowley (Hillsborough NJ) to win it, followed by last year's winner, Mark Zamek (Allentown PA), and Nat Larson (Amherst MA), who finished 3rd in the 10K national championship this year. Other contenders mentioned included Daniel Dixon ((Jackson MI)) Alan Evans ((Beaver Dams NY) Ruben Henderson (Grand Rapids MI), and Mike Nier (Rochester NY). But it was Larson's day, not Crowley's.  Larson took off like a shot, running with the overall contenders and crossing the halfway point in 8:03--that's smoking. In fact, because he is not well known yet among elite Masters runners and because he was so far ahead, the other contenders were unaware of him until after the race. At the halfway mat, Nier was already 8 seconds back, with Henderson another 8 seconds behind him. Dixon and Evans were slugging it out at 8:27. Larson brought it home for a terrific 16:10 time, beating Nier by almost 30 seconds. Nier ran strong, however, holding off a fast closing Dixon to claim 2nd by 12 seconds. Dixon took 3rd with Henderson a few seconds back in 4th.
1st Larson 16:10; 2nd Nier 16:39; 3rd Dixon 16:51.

Mike Nier finishing 2nd in his age group and leading the GVH 50+ team to the line-- [photo by Bob Brock at--https://www.flickr.com/photos/65126171@N02/21985449492/in/dateposted/]

 55-59.  Once I learned that Brian Pilcher (Ross CA) was out with a blown hamstring, I picked last year's winner, Ken Youngers (Tucker GA), to repeat, while being pressed by Dave Bussard (Elkhart IN) and Derrick Staley (Ballston Lake NY). I learned, after the race, that Youngers was recovering from a hamstring setback as well. As a result, he ran almost a minute slower than last year and was never in contention. Bussard went out strong, maybe too strong, crossing the halfway mat in a very swift 8:14. Staley was 12 seconds back at this point, with Charlie Andrews (Rochester NY) another 4 seconds to the rear. Staley's steady pace over the 2nd half of the race chipped 9 seconds off of Bussard's lead but in the end Bussard had 4 seconds to spare as he claimed the gold medal in 16:55. Staley took the silver and Andrews the bronze, 18 seconds further back.
1st Bussard 16:55; 2nd Staley 16:59; 3rd Andrews 17:17.

60-64. This group had the most entrants of any age group. Last year's winner and the American 5K record holder for this age group, Tom McCormack, continues to struggle with injuries. 2014 belonged to the fleet Irish ex-pat from the hills of East Tennessee, but in his absence another Tom, Tom Bernhard (Castro Valley CA) has risen to the top of this group. In a group with so many fine runners it is tough to pick favorites. In the end I picked Bernhard to win followed by Reno Stirrat (Rockaway NJ), who had a fine summer of racing, and then the recent Hall-of-Fame inductee, Doug Bell (Greeley CO). I also mentioned Bell's teammate, John Victoria (Colorado Springs CO), as a possible spoiler. I failed to mention Mark Rybinski (Manlius NY) but that was an oversight, especially considering he was moving up from the M55 group. Little did the others know it but Bernhard was planning on a negative split. Nonetheless he crossed the halfway mat in 8:50, with Victoria right on his shoulder. Bell was 4 seconds back with Stirrat 4 seconds further back. Rybinski appeared to be out of it, another 9 seconds back from Stirrat. Bernhard steadily pulled away over the 2nd half, covering it in 8:46. Could Victoria, Bell and Stirat hold on after going out perhaps a bit too fast? Victoria managed a 9:11 over the 2nd half and that was enough to secure the silver medal. The race for the bronze was a doozy as Stirrat had just enough left in the tank to hold off a hard-charging Rybinski be no more than a second. What a finish!
1st Bernhard 17:36; 2nd Victoria 18:03; Stirrat 18:27.

Bernhard winning his age group and taking the age-grading crown--[photo by Bob Brock at--https://www.flickr.com/photos/65126171@N02/21810900369/in/dateposted/]

65-69. In my preview I picked Lloyd Hansen (Salt Lake City UT) to defend his 2014 title, followed by Bob Giambalvo (Delhi NY), and Vasan Neovakul (Atlanta GA). I knew that Doc Rappole (Bemus NY) would ordinarily be a top contender but also deduced that he had sustained an injury in the CRIM 10 mile run in late August. I thought he would not be recovered enough to be in contention. What I learned the morning of the race is that Bill Dixon (Brattleboro VT), a top Masters runner and the 2013 winner of this race was a late entry. Had I known, he would certainly have been my pick to repeat his 2013 victory over Hansen. I had picked Hansen to win despite knowing that his form is a little off what it was last year when he won so many national championships. As it turned out, Giambalvo was a no show, possibly due to Hurricane Joaquin. Hansen gave it his all as he always does but Dixon was incredibly strong. Dixon hit the halfway mat in 9:07 with Hansen 13 seconds back. Although struggling with his fitness, Rappole nonetheless hit the half in 3rd place, 9 seconds ahead of Bill Bosmann (Rockaway NJ). Dixon and Hansen both ran strong 2nd halves winding up with gold and silver respectively. Bosmann nearly caught up with Rappole but the New Yorker was able to hold him off to claim the bronze by 5 seconds.
1st Dixon 18:33; 2nd Hansen 18:59; 3rd Rappole 20:13.

Dixon (Greater Lowell TC) winning the age group and making top 5 in age-grading--[photo by Bob Brock at--
https://www.flickr.com/photos/65126171@N02/21971741926/in/dateposted/]

70-74. Billed as a possible battle between perennial age group Runner of the Year, Doug Goodhue (Milford MI) and many times over national champion, Jan Frisby (Grand Junction CO). A banged up knee kept Goodhue out of races over the first half of the year and Frisby enjoyed his absence, racking up 4 national championships and cracking the 70-74 10K record in the Marin County 10K in California. Goodhue gradually recovered over the spring and summer and they had met at the CRIM Festival of Races in August where Goodhue took the USATF 1 mile crown. But this would be their first meeting of the year at one of the standard distances. Goodhue appeared to be close to his full fitness; Frisby was, in his own words, a little nicked up. For 3rd place I picked Morris Williams (Highlands NC) on the basis of his placing at the USATF 1 Mile Road Race. But that may have been a mistake. At least on this day, Williams was not competitive in the 5K. I also mentioned Przemyslaw Nowicki (Holmdel NJ) and Joe Carter (Snellville GA) as possible contenders and there I was closer to the mark. As he always does when fit, Goodhue took it out hard, hitting the halfway mark in 9:42, right on pace for a 19:24! Frisby went through in 9:57 which was plenty fast enough but right after that, in his own words, "my Achilles tore loose!' That put him out of contention but not out of the race; Frisby gamely kept on and finished in 26 minutes and change. The 3rd runner across the halfway mat, Nowicki, in 10:23 moved up to 2nd place, with Rick Stetson (Duxbury MA) next. Goodhue eased in to his gold medal with over a minute to spare and Nowicki took the silver by over a minute as well. I look forward to Goodhue and Frisby going at it again next year, with the hope that both are at or near full fitness.
1st Goodhue 20:07; 2nd Nowicki 21:15; 3rd Stetson 22:30.

Goodhue, the Silver Bullet, adding another national championship to his collection--[photo by Bob Brock at--
https://www.flickr.com/photos/65126171@N02/21971777476/in/dateposted/]

75-79. Until John Elliott (NY, NY) had to bow out due to family responsibilities in the threat of Hurricane Joaquin, he was the favorite. In his absence I guessed that Roland Cormier (Jackson NJ), Ron Mastin (Woodstock GA), and Matt Lalumia (Clifton NJ) would vie for the title. Cormier got out the fastest, crossing the halfway point in 11:44 with Mastin only 8 seconds back. Lalumia did not have his best day and was more than a minute off the pace in 13;!2. An overlooked runner, Thom Weddle (Excelsior MN), was only a half minute back from Cormier in 12:16.Mastin passed Cormier shortly after the halfway mark and pulled away to win in 23:15 (23:07 net). Cormier took 2nd in 23:59 with Weddle getting the bronze medal in 26:13. Lalumia had to settle for 4th this year.
1st Mastin 23:15; 2nd Cormier 23:59; 3rd Weddle 26:15.

80-84. I picked John Harper (Seal Beach CA) to successfully defend his title, with Wade Stockman (Rensselaer NY) in 2nd and Fritz Schlereth (Syracuse NY) in 3rd. Harper was not able to race after all. Stockman won the gold medal easily while Schlereth claimed the silver.
1st Stockman 29:01; 2nd Schlereth 37:48

85+. Willis Moses (Vestal NY)  had the distinction, again this year, of being the race's oldest gold medal winner.
1st Moses 35:01.

Age-Grading

Women: The top age-graded performances were turned in by:

Kathryn Martin [64] 19:24 100.46% 
Jan Holmquist [71]  22:15  96.21%  
Marisa Sutera Strange [52] 17:38 95.78%  
Edie Stevenson [66]  21:34  92.74%  
Carmen Ayala-Troncoso 56  19:15 91.82% 

Men: The top age-graded performances were turned in by:

Tom Bernhard [64] Castro Valley CA  17:36 93.82%
Nat Larson [53] Amherst MA 16:10 93.38%
Kristian Blaich [49] Decatur GA 15:51 92.37%
William Dixon [68] Brattleboro VT 18:33 92.19%
Gregory Mitchell [42] McMinnville OR 15:08 91.89%

Teams (In Masters LDR the score is the combined time of the first 3 runners on each team.)

Women. The Genesee Valley Harriers (NY) were the hometown heroines for this event, taking two firsts and a third. GVH dominated in the 40+ and 60+ team categories while the Athena Track Club (southeastern Pennsylvania) were equally dominant in the 50+ race. There was one close team race for a bronze medal. In the 40+ race, the GVH-B team had their first two runners, Wakenda Tyler and Michelle Hays, in with a combined time of 42:01 while the Atlanta Track Club had their first two runners, Laurie Wharton and Susan Welch come in with a total time of 42:08! With only 7 seconds between the teams it came down to their 3rd runner in. Who would it be? GVH-B's Colleen Daggs outkicked ATC's Cynthia Williams 22:32 to 22:33. You do not get much closer than that!

40+: GVH-A (Simmonds-Brady, Webster, Senall, Naujokas-Knapp) 55:24; Syracuse Track Club (White, Sargent, Wheeler) 61:59; GVH-B (Tyler, Hays, Daggs) 64:33.

50+: Athena Track Club-A (Strange, Jasper, Pangburn) 58:27;  Athena Track Club-B (Swan, Stewart, Steinbach) 64:14; GVH (Bischoff, Magnussen, Gordon) 65:22.

60+: GVH (Moore, Ingalls, Herrick) 70:44; Shore AC (Stirrat, Bell, Cormier) 1:32:43.

70+: Checkers AC (MacKenzie, Rowe, Hyer) 1:45:07.

Men. This year there was a different team winner for each age group. The Atlanta Track Club, Playmakers Elite/New Balance (MI), the Boulder Road Runners, and Ann Arbor Track Club were the winning teams. ATC had the best overall outcomes with a first and two 3rd place finishes, followed by Shore AC (NJ) with two seconds and GVH with a 2nd and a 3rd. Of course if you weighted it by distanced traveled to get to the race, Boulder would move up! Thanks for coming east, guys!

The only close race for first was in the 50+ division, between Playmakers Elite and GVH. Mike Niers set the pace for GVH but the Playmakers Elite held together as a tighter group of runners. That gave them the victory by 34 seconds.  Nier came across the line in 16:39 but 12 seconds later the Playmakers parade of Daniel Dixon, Ruben Henderson, and Dave Bussard came across the line within 4 seconds of each other. How's that for pack running?!

Here's a link to a Bob Brock picture showing Dixon, Henderson and Bussard finishing in that order--
https://www.flickr.com/photos/65126171@N02/21985454622/in/dateposted/

The two tightest races of the day were the race for the team silver in the 60+ and 70+ divisions. Shore AC's 60+ team of Stirrat, Gaughan and Chiusano was a cumulative 6 seconds ahead of GVH's Rybinski, Gioia, and Beyerbach at the halfway point. It was anybody's race! When Stirrat and Rybinski finished within a second of each other, it could still go either way! Shore's 2nd and 3rd runners were together at the halfway mark and within a second of each other at the finish and a few seconds ahead of GVH's 2nd and 3rd. That's all it took to deliver the 20 second victory.

The 70+ race for silver was even closer with only a 17 second margin at the end. At the halfway mark, Shore AC appeared to have things in hand with a 40 second lead over the Atlanta Track Club. Most of that was due to the lead runner, Przemyslaw Nowicki, but it helped that their 2nd and 3rd runners, J.L. Seymore and Roland Cormier were running together within 3 seconds of each other. But the ATC threatened to reverse the outcome. Their 3rd runner at the halfway point, Ron Mastin ran a negative split, closed with their 2nd runner at the half, Frank White, and they came in together, only 16 seconds behind their leader, Joe Carter. But Seymore and Cormier kept on chugging, arriving at the finish line within 2 seconds of one another. Had either one got dropped, the silver would have gone to ATC. But as it turned out, Shore AC had their 2nd silver of the contest.

40+: ATC (Black, Newton, Blaich, Whitis) 47:20; Garmin Runners [NJ] (Williams, Rosenberg, Crowley, Garrell, Bosmann) 50:26; Willow Street AC [NY] (Burkowski, Staley, Stadtlander, Irwin) 51:39.

50+: Playmakers Elite/New Balance (Dixon, Henderson, Bussard, Zywicki) 50:40; GVH (Nier, Evans, Flanders, Johnston, Schnaufer) 51:14; ATC (Droze, Youngers, Dundas, Skipper) 52:15.

60+: Boulder Road Runners (Victoria, Bell, Croft, Frisby) 16:55; Shore AC (Stirrat, Gaughan, Chiusano, Trengove, Nolan) 57:28; GVH (Rybinski, Gioia, Beyerbach, McMullen, Rappole) 57:48.

70+: Ann Arbor TC (Goodhue, Piliawsky, Herrala, Cohen, Weddle) 67:34; Shore AC (Nowicki, Seymore, Cormier, Kuhi) 69:11; ATC (Carter, Mastin and White, Bligh, Williams) 69:28.

Here are two 60+ team pictures I found on facebook:

Ann Arbor Track Club 60+ team (L to R--Garner, Hayes, Pratt, Hansen)

Despite Frisby's blown achilles tendon, Boulder Road Runners went home with the Team 60+ victory (L to R--Bell, Victoria, Croft, Frisby)

Honorary Team Mentions:

Tightest 3 runner pack:

Women-- 40+--GVH-A 67 second spread from 1 to 3 (Simmonds-Brady, Webster, Senall); Athena TC-B 79 seconds (Swan, Stewart, Steinbach); 40+ ATC 112 seconds (Wharton, Welch, Williams).  
Men-- 40+ TNT International and 50+ Playmakers Elite/New Balance--4 second spread from 1 to 3 for TNT (Lanier, Lanier, Jackson) and Playmakers (Dixon, Henderson, Bussard); 40+ ATC 10 seconds (Black, Newton, Blaich).

Best Age-Grading Team (across all ages)-XC type scoring by position on Age-Graded % list:

Women-- 
Athena Track Club (Strange [52] 3, Steinbach [64] 7, Jasper [53] 11)     21
GVH (Ingalls [64] 10, Simmonds-Brady [41] 13, Webster [41] 17)      40
Atlanta Track Club (Williams [59] 19, Wharton [49] 27; Welch [48] 38)     84

Men -- 
Atlanta Track Club (Blaich [49] 3, Youngers [59] 10, Newton [45] 11)     24
Playmakers Elite/NB (Bussard [55] 8, Henderson [53] 13, Dixon [51] 19)   40
Genesee Valley Harriers (Andrews [58] 7, Nier [50] 16, Evans [52] 18)   41

Everyone's Goal at Syracuse [photo from Facebook--https://www.facebook.com/Syracuse-Festival-of-Races-149914215029646]

Congratulations one and all for another fine day of racing in Syracuse at the Festival of Races, the 2015 USATF 5K National Masters Championships!


 

Preview of USATF Masters 5K Road Championships at the Syracuse Festival of Races on Oct 4 2015

October 3 2015. As of today there are 202 Elite Masters Athletes entered for the USATF 5K Masters Championships at the Syracuse Festival of Races this coming Sunday. Once again the race will be attracting the highest number of entrants on the USATF Masters Racing Circuit. It is a tribute to the wonderful job that Dave Oja and his staff do in welcoming and valuing the Masters athletes and their accomplishments. Some of the athletes come because they are challenging for the podium, others because they are valuable members of a team and still others because they are good athletes and value the camaraderie at this gathering. As a result there are tremendous races, both overall and in the age groups, lined up for our collective pleasure.

The weather appears to be cooperating. As of this afternoon the forecast for today just includes the chance of a few sprinkles and for race time tomorrow it should be upper 40's and overcast with no rain.

Overall Masters Competition.

Women. Last year's event was highlighted by a Jennifer Rhines attempt on Colleen DeReuck's 5K Masters record. Though Rhines is not back, we have an extremely tight contest with a number of close contenders. Four names need to be mentioned as vying for the top spot. Cassandra Henkiel (Austin TX), winner of the USATF 8K Championship at Brea CA in February in 29:17 is probably the favorite. But she divides her time between the roads and the trails and does not race as often as some.

Cassandra Henkiel, Helping Team Rogue to victory at the 2014 USATF Club Cross Country Championships [photo: Michael Scott]

The most recent 5K I can find for her is the 2013 Carlsbad 5000 where she ran 17:52. There are others in the field who can match that. Renee Tolan (Clifton Park NY) has run four local 5K races this year ranging from a 17:35 to a 17:58.

Renee Tolan and her 5 year old daughter, Addison, crossing the finish line together at the 2015 Albany's Pride 5K [photo from: http://www.timesunion.com/news/articleGallery/Rainbows-on-the-run-Pride-5K-in-photos-6313773.php]

She ran the more visible Freihofer's for Women in 18:07.  An All-State high school runner in Massachusetts, Jennifer St. Jean (Darien CT) walked away from the sport a few years later. At the age of 40, after a fulfilling family life, St. Jean has recovered from a miscarriage and hysterectomy to push to the top of the Masters running scene, taking the 1500 meter silver medal at the World Masters Athletics Championships in Lyon France this summer. Her time was 4:37. So we know she has a terrific kick! Her 5K road times are a little less impressive; this year she ran a local 5K in 17:56 and the Freihofer's a step slower than Tolan in 18:08. But winning the world silver medal may give her the confidence to hang with the lead pack, ready to unleash a 'miler's kick!' [Late news flash--Worries and family concern over Hurricane Joaquin in her area of Connecticut will keep St. Jean from competing in Syracuse--I wish her the best and hope she makes it to Syracuse next year.]

Jennifer St. Jean (#8060) en route to her 2015WMA Silver Medal in the 1500 Meter Run [photo: http://www.lohud.com/story/sports/2015/08/25/westchester-track-club-jen-st-jean-miscarriage-hysterectomy-masters-world-silver-medalist/32320989/]

Perhaps even more surprising is that the reigning Queen of the women's 50-54 division, Marisa Sutera Strange, is definitely a threat to take her second overall title in the 2015 USATF Masters Racing Circuit.

Marisa Sutera Strange, winning the Women's 50-54 division and finishing fifth overall at the highly competitive 2015 USATF Club Cross Country Championships at Bethlehem PA [photo at:http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/story/sports/recreational/2014/12/15/running-sutera-strange-wasielewski-continue-excel/20441749/]

She won the USATF 10K Championship in April in 36:59 so she knows how to win. She finished second to Melody Fairchild in the Freihofer's run masters competition in 17:43 so she should be able to race ahead of Tolan and St. Jean. But can she build up enough of a lead to hold them off at the end? It will be fascinating to find out. Another strong runner in the field is the 4th place finisher from last year in 18:16, Michelle LaFleur (Savannah GA). This summer she has run an 18:11, an 18:39, and an 18:55. If she can run at or better than her fastest pace this summer, she could be a real threat again

Michelle LaFleur Racing in the 2012 Freeman 5K [photo: savannahnow.com]

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Men. The 2014 champion, Greg Mitchell (McMinnville OR), is back to defend his crown. And most of the guys who were chasing after him last year are back, with a few new challengers. Mitchell took first place in 15:03 last year. This year he has already finished 2nd at the USATF Cross Country Championship and won the USATF 8K in February and took first at the 1 Mile Road Championships in late August in 4:29.

Greg Mitchell (red) leading the pack early in the race at the 2014 USATF Club Cross Country Championships. Philippe Rolly is on Mitchell's left shoulder in black [Photo: Michael Scott]

He also took the Bowerman AC 5K in mid-August in 14:59. So Mitchell appears ready to roar. Unless his fitness has faltered in the last month and a half he seems primed to repeat. But the rest of the podium appears up for grabs. Chad Newton (Pisgah Forest NC), 2nd last year in 15:40 is back along with his Atlanta Track Club teammate, Kristian Blaich (Decatur GA) who ran 15:50. They should be the favorites to fill out the podium but nothing is ever a sure thing. Newton ran well at the USATF Outdoor Track and Field Championships, winning his age group in the 1500 meter run and the 5000 meter run in 4:18and 16:11 respectively.

Chad Newton, 4th overall and 1st in the male 45 age group at the USA Masters 5 km Cross Country Championships at Carmel IN on Nov 8 2014 [photo: Andy Martin, Exclamation Services]

But he has not run a race since that so it is hard to gauge current fitness.  We shall have to wait and see. Blaich, on the other hand, demonstrated his conditioning with a fine Masters win at the CVS 5K

Kristian Blaich (#51) leading the way at the 2015 USATF 10K Championship in Dedham MA--3 miles into the race, with Kent Lemme trailing by a step in second place. [photo by Scott Mason]

in Providence RI in 16:09 two weeks ago, not to mention a 15:50 at a local 5K in late August. Another Atlanta stalwart, Alan Black (Hillsboro GA) could also be in the mix; he ran a 15:57 at a local 5K 2 weeks ago. That, along with a 33:44 10K and a 15:54 5K earlier in the year suggest he

Alan Black (#1260) with Francis Burdett (in white) trailing and Kristian Blaich (in red) on Burdett's right shoulder-early in the race at the 2014 USATF Club Cross Country Championships [photo: Michael Scott]

should come in under 16. Two other runners who should not be overlooked include Christian Blondin (Ipswich MA) and Philippe Rolly (McLean VA). Blondin trailed Mitchell by 14 seconds in the USATF 1 mile championship at the CRIM Mile in finishing 7th overall. As Blondin's strength seems to be at the shorter distances, it appears he cannot challenge for the win but if he can hang with the chase pack, he cannot be counted out. Rolly ran a 16:05 at  local 5K in July and was the 2nd Masters finisher last fall at the .US National  Masters 12K Championships in 39:14 so is right where he needs to be if anyone up front falters.

Age Group Races. Women.

Age 40-44. It appears that Michelle LaFleur, Jennifer St. Jean and Renee Tolan should battle for the win in this age group even if they are not able to take the overall crown from Henkiel and Strange. Are there any other medal challengers? Two other runners will be contesting for the podium and, should any of the leaders falter, be right there.  Karen Simmonds-Brady (Auburn NY) who ran an 18:16 5K race this summer is competitive. Heather Webster (Honeoye Falls NY) who ran a local 5K in 18:33 in August and an 18:54 three weeks ago could also factor into the race medals. With St. Jean a late scratch, I will go with: LaFleur, Tolan, and Simmonds-Brady.

Age 45-49. Cassandra Henkiel should easily take the age group crown. It appears that Laurie Wharton (Marietta GA) may have the edge for 2nd place. She ran a 21:14 5k and three sub 42 10K's, including a 41:31 at the Peachtree. Audra Naujokas-Knapp (Rochester NY) may have something to say about that as she ran a 21:02 local 5K earlier this year. But her 44:26 10K at the USATF Championships does not quite match up to Wharton;'s times. But she may have a bit more speed than Wharton. The race will tell. Should either of those favorites falter, Susan Welch (Atlanta GA) has a 22:28 and a 23:12 5K on her resume this year so is ready to run. Heard a rumor that Emily Bryans (Schenectady NY) might be a late entrant. If so, this sub-19 minute 5K runner will spice up this age group and be a strong favorite for 2nd place. I'll go with a pick of: Henkiel, Bryans, Wharton.

Age 50-54. This is Marissa Sutera Strange's race unless something unforeseen happens. Who else is in the hunt for a medal? Julie Pangburn (Malvern PA) who has three sub 21 5K's this year is the favorite for the silver medal. But Karyl Sargent (Lafayette NY) could press her. She has run a 20:32 and a 21:20 5K this year and finished 2nd in her age group in the Utica Boilermaker 15K in 1:09:11. Others in the hunt include Lorraine Jasper (Birchrunville PA) who ran a 21:27 this summer and a 20:11 in a local 5K 3 weeks ago and Kerry Monahan  (River Vale NJ) with her 21:47 5K and a 1:39:04 in the NYC Half Marathon. But Mary Swan (Penn Valley PA), Carol Bischoff (Macedon NY) or Betsy Stewart (West Chester PA) could upset an apple cart or two. Last year they finished this race in 20:54, 21:04 and 21:17. My picks: Strange, Sargent, and Pangburn.

Age 55-59. If she is anywhere near her normal fitness this group will go to Masters Hall of Fame runner, Carmen Ayala-Troncoso. Last year she had age group wins att he USATF 8K and 10K championships as well as at the USATF Club Cross Country Championships in December. As far as I can tell, though, her only result this year is a 20 minutes flat 5K in the Freihofer's run at the end of May. So that allows room for some doubt, but she is probably fit enough for the win. No one else in the field is likely to break 22 minutes. But two of the runners should come close. Cynthia Williams (Acworth GA)  had a 23:14 5K this summer and a 22:47 5K in late August. Elizabeth Besio (Camillus NY) ran a 22:58 5K this year and a 46:50 10K. Marie White (Henrietta NY) and Dianna Hinton (Waleska GA) appear to be just off that pace. Looks like: Ayala-Troncoso, Besio, and Williams.

Age 60-64. The top four runners from last year are all returning.I In 2014 it was Coreen Steinbach, Sharon Moore, Cindy Ingalls, and Carolyn Smith-Hanna running 21:38, 22:41, 23:58, and 24:03 respectively. It looks like it should be Steinbach and Moore 1-2 with Ingalls and Smith-Hanna battling for the third spot. Are any of the newcomers strong enough to break up that top 4? Margaret Taylor (Atlanta GA) has run a 22:07 and a 22:35 5K over the last couple of months; that makes her the favorite to take 2nd. .Donna May (Miramar FL) has recent 5K times of 24:16, 24:27, and 23:48. That is very consistent and fast enough for her to give Moore a real battle for third place. Another late bulletin--it appears that Kathy Martin (Northport NY), 2013 Masters Runner of the Year will make it to the race after all. She immediately becomes the favorite. She won the group in 2013 with  a time of 19:06. She was away from running for a bit this spring but has apparently recovered pretty well. Martin managed a 33:49 5-miler in early August and ran the Fifth Avenue Mile on September 13th in 5:39 so she has speed. My best guess: Martin, Steinbach, and Taylor.

Age 65-69. Last year Sabra Harvey (Houston TX) broke the age group record in this race with a 20:27. That does not appear to be threatened this year. But Lynda McGuire (Scottsville NY)who finished 3rd in 25:49 is back to try for the win again. Unfortunately for her there will be some new faces at the starting line this year. Edie Stevenson (Boulder CO) is the favorite for the win; she ran a 21:37 5K this year. She finished 2nd in the 60-64 age group at the 2014 USATF 10K in 43:07 and took 2nd in her age group at the 2015 Bolder Boulder in 47:15. Erika Campbell (Ridgewood NJ) seems a safe bet for 2nd. She ran recent 23:10 and 23:08 5K's, not to mention a 6:34 at the NYRR Fifth Avenue Mile. Kathleen Allen (Decatur GA) ran 25:43 on the track at the 2015 USATF Masters Outdoor Championships and should give McGuire a real fight for the third podium spot. My picks: Stevenson, Campbell, and McGuire.

Age 70-74. Last year Jan Holmquist (Burlington MA) broke the record for this age group, running 22:16 and she is back to see if she can lower it a bit more. Sue Gardinier (Verona NY) who finished 3rd in 27:56 is also back and aiming for a 2nd place medal this year. Mac Mackenzie (Jamestown NY)should take 3rd. Picks: Holmquist, Gardinier, Mackenzie.

Age 75-79. Last year it was Libby James (Boulder CO) and Madeline Bost (Randolph NJ) running 1-2. Bost is back but not James. Instead Estelle Hahn (Jamesville NY) and Fran Rowe (Niagara Falls NY), who both moved up from the 70-74 group will contest the medals with Bost. Bost ran 34:47 last year to Rowe's 35:38 and Hahn's 36:06. With no change in fitness, it looks like Bost, Rowe and Hahn.

Age 80-84. Edna Hyer (South Wales NY) and Anny Stockman (Rensselaer NY) will renew their rivalry. Who will be the eldest age group champion on the day? Anny Stockman took the win last year and is expected to prevail this year as well.  Looks like Stockman, Hyer.

Men.

Age 40-44. Greg Mitchell should take this gold medal. With Newton and Blaich both in the M45 division this year, that leaves Alan Black trying to hold off Christian Blondin and Philippe Rolly for the silver. It should be a terrific contest for the 2nd and 3rd spots. My picks: Mitchell, Black, Rolly.

Age 45-49. Chad Newton and Kristian Blaich should battle for 1st and 2nd with Newton having a slight edge. Who else will be in the mix? Last year Matthew Whitis (Columbus GA), their Atlanta Track Club teammate followed Blaich across the line to take 2nd in 16:17. That should be good enough for bronze this year. David Atkinson (Grand Blanc MI) will leave no room for error. Though running mostly longer races, including a 1:17:29 in the United Airlines NYC Half Marathon, he also showed some speed in a 16:50 5K this year. My picks: Newton, Blaich and  Whitis, an ATC sweep!

Age 50-54. Last year saw Mark Zamek (Allentown PA), Alan Evans (Beaver Dams NY) and Ruben Henderson (Grand Rapids MI) go 1-2-3 in 16:27, 16:44, and 16:48 with Henderson's Players Elite/New Balance teammate, Daniel Dixon (Jackson MI) just off the podium in 16:59. But there is a new wave entering from the 45-49 division. The 3rd through 6th finishers in the 45-49 division last year were all 49 and enter the M50 category this year for the first time. Brian Crowley (Hillsborough NJ), Mike Nier (Rochester NY), Francis Burdett (Worcester MA), and John Stadtlander (Clifton Park NY) ran 16:21, 16:41, 16:46, and 16:56 respectively. [Late bulletin: a freak ankle injury in Wales has been slow to heal so Francis Burdett has had to withdraw-Best of luck on the healing and see you next year!] So this looks like a real battle royal with 8 runners returning from last year with times ranging from 16:21 to 16:59. With no change in form it would be Crowley, Zamek, Nier, Evans, Burdett, Henderson, Dixon, and Stadtlander. Anyone completely new in the mix? Nat Larson (Amherst MA) took 3rd in a packed field at the USATF 10K championship, narrowly beating Evans and Nier in the process, and ran a 16:41 5K two weeks ago. No guaranties in life, but it looks like a Crowley, Zamek, Larson pick is as good as any and better than most.

Age 55-59. In 2014, Ken Youngers (Tucker GA), Derrick Staley (Ballston Lake NY), and Charlie Andrews (Rochester NY) took the top 3 places in 16:49, 17:01, and 17:10. Brian Pilcher (Ross CA), 2013 USATF Masters Athlete of the Year, was on the rehab trail, finishing just off the podium in 17:27. After several good races in the first half of 2015, Pilcher strained the hamstring again at the World Masters Athletics championships this summer. I wish him a speedy recovery; it's a shame when top runners have to withdraw, but injury avoidance and rehab unfortunately comes with the territory when running at an elite level. The top 3 are all back though. If not from Pilcher, where will the competition come from? It could come from Jeffery Dundas (Conyers GA) who finished behind Pilcher last year in 17:49. But another top runner has joined this age group. Dave Bussard (Elkhart IN) is running with the Players Elite/New Balance team now and will certainly be looking to run with Ken Youngers. Bussard ran a 16:46 and a 17:06 5K this summer and took the age group prize at the USATF 1 Mile Road Race at the CRIM Mile Run in 4:57. For my  money, I'll go with Youngers, Bussard, and Staley

Age 60-64. As many as 30 runners could toe the line for this contest. The top end will be a bit different this year. Tom McCormack (Jonesborough TN) dominated this age group in 2014, winning by over a minute and breaking a record that had stood for 30 years. Unfortunately McCormack has had an on and off year with a variety of injuries and will not race. He will be missed in every way, not only for his speed but for his spirit, which added a lot to the group. Apart from McCormack, the top end included: Joseph Reda III (DeForest WI), Reno Stirrat (Rockaway NJ), and Terry Pirmar (Perkasie PA) in 18:19, 18:33, and 18:50. Of those three, only Stirrat appears to be entered; he had a good summer of racing, cracking an 18:00 in a 5K in August. One runner who was not here but will surely try to keep Stirrat from the gold is Tom Bernhard (Castro Valley CA) who took 3rd at the USATF 8K championships in February in 29:10, in the process besting Stirrat by a full minute. In addition to that, he has two sub-18 minute 5K's and a 37:14 10K. Another contender is recent inductee to the USATF Masters Hall of Fame, Doug Bell, (Greeley CO) who has run 5K's this year ranging from 17:22 to 19:10 and took 3rd in the USATF 1 Mile Road race in 5:27 should factor in as well. Others who might factor in include Peter Mullin (Houston TX) who was a terror in this age group for a few years but, after an injury, may now be looking more to competition in the M65 group. Nonetheless he has a 19:06 5K and a 42:09 10K to his credit this year. John Victoria (Colorado Springs CO) will also keep the runners up front honest as he has cracked 19 in a 5K this year. Bernhard should win it and Stirrat and Bell are likely to have a heck of a race for 2nd! My picks: Bernhard, Stirrat, and Bell.

Age 65-69. In 2014 Lloyd Hansen (Salt Lake City UT) and his Ann Arbor teammate, Terry McCluskey (Vienna OH) were joined by track specialist, Gary Patton (Rock Rapids IA) at the top of this group in 18:46, 19:22, and 19:38. Hansen is the only one of those three to return. Hansen may have difficulty dominating as he did last year; he has been slowed by an injury and an extremely hectic schedule. Although retired, he is taking on many big projects, including a major contribution to Masters Long Distance Running. Despite these barriers, Hansen has gotten his 5K back under 20 minutes with a 19:57 and a 19:33 5K recorded within the last couple of months. Who else will be up there? Bill Bosmann (Rockaway NJ) ran 19:44 last year in the M60 group, but he also ran a half marathon on September 20th in 1:33:55.  Bob Giambalvo (Delhi NY) has a 19:15 5K to his credit this year. Jerry Learned (Gainesville GA) who ran with a gimpy hamstring last year appears to be back in form. He ran a 19:54 at the Hollis Fast 5K and a 43:46 at the Peachtree 10K. Another who may be in contention includes Vasan Neovakul (Atlanta GA) who ran in the Peachtree 5K this year and recorded a 19:51 in a local race on September 7th. Up until a month ago, Doc Rappole (Bemus NY) was expected to be a top contender. In February, he competed at the USA Cross Country championships, besting both Hansen and a strong west coast runner, Ignacio Jimenez (Goleta CA). But after running very well at the USATF 1 Mile Road Race in August, he ran the CRIM 10 miler the next day and apparently ran into some difficulty. He clocked a 1:20+, far slower than one would expect and his most recent 5K attempt was a 23:43 on September 6th. Looks like he is trying to come back from an injury. But there might not be quite enough time to get all the way back. Roger Price (Randolph NJ) is also on the comeback trail, with a couple of sub-22 minute 5K's but he also ran a half marathon on September 20th, finishing in 1:39:02. Paul Carlin (Indianapolis IN) is coming off a long injury year as well. He is in something of the same boat. He is improving but his most recent 5K was still a 22:23, probably too far away to be competitive. My picks: Hansen, Giambalvo, and Neovakul.

70-74.  In 2014 the silver bullet from Milford MI, Doug Goodhue, was in good form, winning in 19:43. He was followed across by longtime top competitor, Jan Frisby (Grand Junction CO) in 20;22 and Milton Schumacher (North Scituate RI) in 21:05. Przemyslaw Nowicki (Holmdel NJ) was a few steps back in 4th at 21:38. All but Schumacher return. Joe Carter (Snellville GA) ran a 22:19 5K a few weeks ago so he is ready to roll. J.L. Seymore (Somerset NJ) ran a 21:16 5K in January but I find no results since March so his current fitness is in doubt. Morris Williams (Highlands NC) ran a 6:46 at the USATF 1 Mile Road Race to take 4th in this group but that's the only entry I can find. Nowicki would be a good bet but his recent 5K's have been above 25 minutes so I fear he had at least a minor setback this year. For my money it looks like: Goodhue, Frisby and with a roll of the dice, Williams.

75-79. In 2014 John Elliott (NY, NY) took this group by a full minute in 23:32. He was entered this year but family responsibilities related to Hurricane Joaquin are keeping him away. The next 3 were James Leitz, Wade Stockman, and Tim Kahn in times ranging from 24:45 to over 27 minutes. But none of them are entered this year. Roland Cormier (Jackson NJ) ran 23:01 last year in the M70 group. With Elliott out, he looks to be the strong favorite. Matt Lalumia (Clifton NJ) has several sub-27 minute 5K's to his credit this year, including a 26:40 on September 7th. Ron Mastin (Woodstock GA) ran a 24:59 5K in February and then a 51:51 10K at the Peachtree 10K Classic. Looks like in Elliott's absence it will be: Cormier, Mastin and Lalumia.

80-84. In 2014 John Harper (Seal Beach CA) took the gold in 26:38 and Fritz Schlereth (Syracuse NY) finished just off the podium in 4th in 32:47. This year they are joined by Wade Stockman (Rensselaer NY) who ran a 29:13 5K in June and a 29:34 a month ago. My pics: Harper, Stockman and Schlereth.

85+. Willis Moses (Vestal NY) who won last year in 34:17 has the category all to himself again this year. He is likely to be our oldest gold medalist.




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