4/03/22 SACRAMENTO CA—On a near perfect morning for running over a newly laid out course, the host Sactown Ten enjoyed two record-breaking performances and a host of exciting races. Jenny Hitchings Sacramento CA and Jacob Nur Elk Grove CA have been tearing up the record book for the last year. Sunday was no exception as Hitchings broke her own 55-59 10 Mile American Record by over half a minute, clocking 1:00:38 chip time. On March 5th, Nur had broken Brian Pilcher’s 10-Mile American Record by over half a minute when he ran 59:11. He dropped that by another 37 seconds today with a stunning 58:34!
In the Women’s race, Maggie Shearer Newbury Park CA, got her 1st Masters National Overall title at this race. Moving out to a lead at the start, Shearer held it all the way to collect the victory in 59:20 with over a minute to spare.
Carre Joyce Heineck Portland OR claimed 2nd in 1:00:29, with the record-breaking Hitchings in 3rd at 1:00:40 gun time.
On the Men’s side, it was Riley Cook South Weber UT, coming from off the pace to move up through the lead pack and take the win in 50:00. The early leader, Sergio Reyes Los Osos CA, finished 2 nd in 50:36, with Roosevelt Cook Hesperia CA 3rd at 51:27.
The Overall Age Grading awards, determined by chip time, recognize the athletes across all age divisions with the most outstanding performance for their age. Hitchings topped the Women with her 1:00:38 at age 58, grading at a phenomenal 100.88%. Stella Gibbs Pacific Grove CA 63 1:10:08 captured 2nd at 93.18%, with Merry Dearmon-Moore Tucson AZ 68 1:15:07 third. Nur headed the men’s list. At 66, his 58:34 earned a 97.27%. Nat Larson Amherst MA 59 57:11 took 2 nd at 93.09%, with Gene Dykes Bala Cynwyd PA 3rd at 92.15.
Age Division National Champions gun time included M/W: 40-44 Ri. Cook/Shearer; 45-49 Gregory Mitchell/Amy Alzina; 50-54 Jaime Heilpern/Chris Lundy; 55-59 Larson /Hitchings; 60-64 Tim DeGrado/Gibbs; 65-69 Nur/Dearmon-Moore; 70-74 Dykes/Sabra Harvey 75-79 Dave Glass; 80-84 Andrew Sherwood/JoAnn Hall; 85-89 Richard Williams.
There were hotly contested team championships as well. The San Francisco Bay Area’s West Valley Track Club took the Men’s 40+ and 50+ titles while 60+ went to the Boulder Road Runners and 70+ to the hometown SRA Elite. Women’s titles went to Southern Cal clubs, the Cal Coast Track Club at 40+ and the Janes Elite t 50+. The Bay Area Lake Merritt Joggers and Striders took the 60+ title while the 70+ title went north to Portland’s Team Red Lizard.
The ten-mile championships were a big success-kudos to the Sacramento Running Association SRA and the Sactown 10 for delivering a well-organized event over a fast course!! Next up on the Masters National Grand Prix circuit is the USATF Masters 10 Km Championships, hosted by the James Joyce Ramble on Sunday, April 24th .
Submitted by
Paul Carlin
Masters LDR/Media Coordinator
Running Professor, LLC
www.runningprof.com
