Record Crowd of Masters Athletes Flock to Rochester NY for the USATF Masters 1 Mile Championships

2018 Women Start – Courtesy of Crim Fitness Foundation

05/21/2022 ROCHESTER NY—Another record falls as 204 Masters Runners are registered for the USATF Masters 1 Mile Championships, smashing the participation record of 141! The Rochester Mile hosts the Championships for the first time, sharing the spotlight with USA Cycling’s Pro Criterium Championships. The Mile will employ the same closed course used for the cycling events Saturday evening, with the Women’s race at 5:45 pm and the Men at 6:05 pm. Once the starter’s gun is fired, the excitement will be palpable as the runners circle the downtown area one-and-a-half times!
The Mile brings together the fastest Track athletes and the swiftest road warriors to test who is fastest. The Women’s Overall Championship features Jennifer Bigham who took the overall title at the USATF Masters Half Marathon Championships in Syracuse in March. No stranger to road miles, in 2021, she took the Masters crown at Pittsburgh’s Liberty Mile in 5:13. Local favorite, Melissa Johnson-White, who runs for Hansons-Brooks Distance project has numerous winning 5K efforts. Sascha Scott broke the American 45-49 record at the USATF Masters Indoor Championship in March, clocking a blistering 4:59.19. Scott will go after the American 45-49 record for the Road Mile, currently held by Sonja Friend-Uhl at 5:07.

The main contenders for the Men’s Overall Championship are Jacques Sallberg; defending champion, Chuck Schneekloth; and Kevin Shirk. Sallberg, known for his Cross Country prowess, is no slouch at the mile. He took the title in the Masters Mile in March at California’s Newport-Mesa Spirit Run, winning easily in 4:40.08. The last time the Masters Mile Championships were held was in 2019. Schneekloth won the title in a photo finish in 4:37. He finished 2nd Masters in 4:39 at the 5th Avenue Mile last September and took 2nd at the Masters 800 Meter Run at the Drake Relays a month ago. His 4:13.71 1500-meter effort last week in Greater Boston was the fastest in the world this year for his age division. Shirk has also excelled on the road and the track, winning the Masters title at the Loudoun Street Mile last May in 4:31.01. Two months ago at the USATF Masters Indoor Track and Field Championships, Shirk went even faster, clocking 4:29.71.

The Age Grading Championships, which are symbolic of the best performance over all age divisions, pinpoints the athletes with the fastest times for their age. On the Men’s side, three time Masters Harrier of the Year and American 5 km Record Holder for 55-59, Nat Larson, took the title at the 10 Km Masters Championships last month. He will try to repeat that feat against a stacked field including seasoned road champions, Rick Lee, Joe Mora, and Ken Youngers; and a pair of Masters Hall of Famers from the track, Gary Patton and Nolan Shaheed!

The headliner on the Women’s side is 2019 USATF Masters Athlete of the Year and celebrated marathoner, Jeannie Rice. But she will need her best effort to repel the likes of Michelle Rohl, who has set American Records at the 1500 meters and the 1 Mile Run on the track, and has become a regular this season on the age grading podium at Road Championships. Others who will contend for this podium are the overall contender, Scott; American 12 Km 55-59 Record holder, Lisa Veneziano; American 1 Mile 50-54 Record holder, Doreen McCoubrie, and podium regulars, Fiona Bayly and Lorraine Jasper.