BOULDER, COLORADO—They are pouring out of the Canyons and down from the Mountaintops. Road Runners, Track Athletes, Trail Runners, Triathletes, Marathoners and Ultra-Marathoners, the strongest cross-country runners from the Mountain West and across the country, are headed to Boulder to compete for a national championship. Competitors at the USATF Masters 5 Km Cross Country Championships look to enjoy a gorgeous sunny day, with temperatures in the low 70’s. This could be the most challenging course since Bend Oregon. There are plenty of up-, down-, and cross-hill traverses, exposed tree roots to navigate, and technical sections where single-file running is the only option. The race is this Saturday, October 22nd; the Women’s Championship commences at 1 PM, with the Men ‘s start at 2 PM.
The field is rich with talent. The Overall fields are headed by two runners who, just a few years ago, were vying for national Open titles on the USATF Road Racing circuit. Fernando Cabada, in the Men’s race and Janet Cherobon-Bawcom in the Women’s race, will be going for their first national Masters LDR titles. Cabada took national titles at 25 Km and the Marathon. Cherobon-Bawcom finished 12th for Team USA in the 2012 Olympic 10,000 meters and won the 2014 Ten Mile national championship on the roads. They will try to emulate the examples of nationally prominent Open competitors, Sergio Reyes and Riley Cooper, who took their first titles as Masters runners earlier this year. Nothing comes easy. Neville Davey, who took the Club Cross Country title at Lexington, KY in 2017, and Clint Wells, a sub 28-minute 10,000 meter runner in his day, are among those trying to deny Cabada the win. Other contenders include ultra-runner, Galen Burrell, who took the Masters title at Grandma’s Marathon in 2021, and Anthony Bruns, who finished on the Overall podium at the Denver Colfax Marathon this spring. Jessica Hruska, the current leader in the Women’s 40-44 Masters National Grand Prix looks to close out the 2022 season with some strong points from Boulder. Melody Fairchild, focused more on coaching than competing these days, has had impressive accomplishments as a Mountain runner for Team USA, and took the 2017 Masters Cross Country title at Bend, OR after finishing 2nd twice in Boulder. Sara Girotto, who finished on the podium at the 12 Km Masters Championships, and newly minted masters runner, Shelley McDonald, who finished 3rd overall at her local Equinox Half Marathon last month, will also make a bid for the podium.
Age-Grading contests aim to identify the athletes who run fastest for their age. Jacob Nur, who set a new 65-69 American record at the Masters Ten-Mile Championships this spring, Dan King, 63, who set American M60 Records at the Mile and 1500 meters a couple of years ago, Craig Godwin, 55, and Mark Yuen, 51, are top contenders for the Men’s title. Gene Dykes, who holds American 70-74 Records at distances from the 10 Km to the 50 Km, can never be ignored, but is not quite at his best.
In the Women’s race, Sabra Harvey, the 2017 USATF Masters Athlete of the Year and 2018 Masters Harrier of the Year must be a prime contender. Hall of Famer, Carmen Ayala-Troncoso, will be pushing her, as will American 55-59 12-Km Record holder, Lisa Veneziano and 70-74 15-Km Record holder, Edie Stevenson. Ordinarily, Lorraine Jasper would also be in the mix but may not be at peak fitness. Abbie Wade took the 65-69 title at the Boston Marathon in October 2021; never ignore a strong marathoner!
National Champions will be crowned in Age Division and Team contests as well. The Boulder Road Runners will try to defend the home turf against strong Men’s teams from Team Run Flagstaff and the West Valley Track Club out of the San Francisco Bay area. The Dukes and the Sports Warriors of Albuquerque will try to assert their mile-high credentials as well. Team Run Flagstaff, led by Cherobon-Bawcom, appears strongest in the Women’s race. But strong Impala Racing teams will be pushing them for the 40+ win and may be the favorites in 50+. The Greater Philadelphia Track Club and Team Red Lizard look good for 60+ and 70+, respectively. It will be a thrilling day on the turf at the Harlow Platt Community Park in Boulder!
Submitted by Paul Carlin
Masters LDR Coordinator
www.runningprof.com
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