INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA
After a summer hiatus to cheer on Team USA at the World Championships, the USATF Masters National Grand Prix roars back into action with loaded fields contesting the 12 Km Masters Championships at USATF-NJ’s By Hook Or By Crook Run! The race has set another record with 330 athletes registered for the Championship. In the first running of this Championship last year, three American Records [AR’s] were set. More will likely be broken this year. Jeannie Rice, the 2019 USATF Masters Athlete of the Year, should break the Women’s 70-74 AR of 58:22 set in 2001. Nat Larson, who still holds the M55 5K AR, is primed to break the M60 12 Km AR of 42:50, set in 2014. Gene Dykes and Robert Qualls both have the potential to take down the 48:30 M70 AR. The division winner should walk away with a new AR. Michelle Rohl, who holds the W55 AR’s for both the 800M and 1500M on the track, will make an attempt at this longer distance. Nora Cary, who set the W65 AR at this race last year, will see if she can lower her own AR.
Men’s side
On the Men’s side, three athletes who had impressive Open careers are now in the Masters ranks. Ben Bruce, Riley Cook, and Jesse Davis will test each other. Bruce, now an Assistant Coach and Pacer with the HOKA NAZ Elite, finished 9th in the 3000 meter steeplechase at the Daegu, Korea World Championships in 2011, ran for Team USA at the World XC Championships and twice at the Half Marathon Worlds. Cook’s major Open wins have come in his home state of Utah at the Deseret News Half Marathon and the St. George Marathon. Davis, out of Indianapolis, is a 2-timee Olympic Trials qualifier, and finished 5th for Team USA at the 2015 World 50 Mile Championships. This is Bruce’s first Masters National Championship. Cook had his baptism of fire in the 10 Mile Championships in Sacramento where he defeated Sergio Reyes in early April, running 50:00. Davis has won three Masters Championships this season, the Club Cross Country 10 Km, the Half Marathon in 1:09:45 and the 10 Km in 32:07. Darryl Brown, Dickson Mercer, and Christopher Shaw will make those three earn a podium finish.
Women’s Side
The favorites on the women’s side are Jacqueline Cooke, Kristen Prendergast, and Shawanna White. Cooke, out of the San Francisco Bay area, has strong recent performances at 5 Km and 4 Miles, with a top 10 finish at the Masters 10 Mile Championships. Prendergast took the Masters title at the Yuengling Shamrock Half Marathon in March in 1:20:44, and raced for the 12 Km crown in her home state. White, from South Carolina, finished in the top 5 at the Masters 5 Km championships in February. In April she ran a sterling 37:23 to take the Masters title at the Cooper River Bridge Run. Abby Dean, Karen dos Santos, Sara Girotto, and Jeannie Sullivan could be factors as well.
Age Grading Awards
The Age Grading Awards go to the runners who have the fastest times for their respective ages across all of the competitors. Cary, Rice, and Rohl, the potential record setters, should have the top age grades for Women. But they could be pushed by Fiona Bayly, Suzanne La Burt, Doreen McCoubrie, and Lorraine Jasper. Dykes, Larson and Qualls are top favorites on the Men’s side. Other contenders include Rick Becker, Brian Crowley, and Ken Youngers.
National Champions will be crowned in Age Division and Team contests as well. It will be an exciting day of racing on the Sandy Hook spit!
Submitted by Paul Carlin
Masters LDR Coordinator
www.runningprof.com
