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(c) 2024 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved. Published with permission. EUGENE, ORE. (29-Jun) -- Weini Kelati was all but assured of a ticket to Paris before the women's 10,000-meter run even started at U.S. Olympic Team Trials — Track & Field. The only competitor who had met the qualifying time for the Summer Games, she essentially only needed to stay on her feet and finish the race. Even so, she found an extra gear on the final lap to sprint home for her first Olympic berth and her first national title on the track. Behind her, Parker Valby narrowly edged Karissa Schweizer for the runner-up spot, though both will have to wait to see if their World Athletics rankings are good enough to qualify for Paris. On a warm evening with low humidity, a field of 23 women set off with caution at Hayward Field. Marathoner Susanna Sullivan was the early leader, towing the field through a sluggish, but steady, early pace. Schweizer, Amanda Vestri, Kelati and Valby were on her heels through halfway (16:09.40), though most of the field was also in contact. Erika Kemp made the race's first real move in the seventh kilometer, taking the lead just before eight laps to go, with Schweizer, Kelati, Valby, Vestri, Jessica McClain and Kellyn Taylor following.  Both McClain, 32, and Taylor, 37, are veterans who ran the Olympic Trials Marathon last February. Valby, who finished fourth in the 5000 earlier in the meet and said she only fully committed to running the 10,000 today, moved to the front three laps later, after getting the thumbs up from her University of Florida coach, Will Palmer. Only Schweizer and Kelati were able to match her pace, and at the bell, they both passed Valby, though they were unable to shake her. Down the backstretch, with 250 meters remaining, Kelati surged to the lead. She held off a challenge from Schweizer on the final turn and crossed the line first in 31:41.07. Valby caught Schweizer down the homestretch and inched into the runner up spot. Both were clocked in 31:41.56, and just 4/1000ths of a second separated them. "I wanted to go to the front, but I said I have to wait, this is not what I planned," said Kelati, a native of Eritrea who became a U.S. citizen on the eve of the 2021 Olympic Trials. "Patience, patience, patience, I kept telling myself that. I had to stay patient because I know I have that speed, have been working on my kick." It was fitting that she made her first U.S. Olympic team at Hayward Field, the site of her decision to seek asylum in America after competing for Eritrea at the 2014 World Athletics Under-20 Championships. "Every single time I'm here I have to have high goals and work towards them, no matter what," she said. "I'm so happy to come here and make the team." Once Valby had gotten over the sting of the 5000, she decided that the 10,000 was a chance for redemption. "I didn't want to leave on a fourth-place note," said the six-time NCAA champion, admitting that the toll from the 5000 was much more emotional than physical. "I was super, super nervous for the 5K and I think that got the best of me. Before this race I was just having fun with it." An emotional Schweizer — who competed in the 5000 and 10,000 at the Tokyo Olympics — was in shock that she was once again able to finish in the top three in both events after a long recovery from surgery on her calf last fall. "My road to getting to these Trials was way different than I had in the past," she said. "I had to do a lot more cross-training than I would like to do and I'm just really happy because I feel like I'm finally back to being myself." That included her typical strong finish. "I know I have a lot of strength in my last lap, my kick," Schweizer said. "It's not full force right now because I've just been coming back from something. So I had to install this confidence that wasn't quite there yet, so I went for it." While Kelati knows her spot on the team is assured, Valby and Schweizer felt fairly comfortable that their performances tonight did enough to boost them into the World Athletics rankings quota which close after all global results are received on June 30.  It will then take another week before the final rankings are released. "I did look at the time a little bit towards the end and I knew I had to squeeze it down for the last lap to ensure that I could get up in the rankings system," Schweizer said. "The rankings system has been a bit of a whirlwind, for sure." McClain, fourth at the marathon Olympic Trials in February, matched that agonizing place here, in 32:04.57.  This was only her second track race in four years. "I was hoping it would go fast and I was excited to run really fast, but I knew if it played out like the way it did today I likely wouldn't have that last gear," she said. "So it was about getting to the line as close to the top three as possible. I was pleased how it ended up for me based on how the race unfolded." Vestri, who is in the midst of a breakthrough season, finished fifth in 32:11.00, followed by Taylor (32:12.02), Maggie Montoya (32:13.26) and Kemp (32:21.84). Stephanie Bruce, now 40, finished 22nd in her fifth Olympic Trials 10-K, this time just nine months after giving birth to her third child. *  *  *  *  * The women's 1500 and men’s 800 finals are set for Sunday after semifinal rounds on Friday. The 1500 was particularly fast. Nikki Hiltz pulled away from Elle St. Pierre with 200 to go to take the first section in 4:01.40. Knowing her qualifying position was secure, St. Pierre (4:02.14) cruised home in fifth, behind Sinclaire Johnson (4:01.68), Heather MacLean (4:02.09) and Cory McGee (4:02.09). St. Pierre and sixth-place finisher Sage Hurta-Klecker (4:08.07) were both given yellow card warnings for shoving. Hurta-Klecker, who had been fifth in Monday's chaotic 800 final, did not advance. "It would have been amazing to have a fairy tale ending in the 1500," Hurta-Klecker wrote in an Instagram post, "but I found myself mentally and emotionally zapped going into the semifinal." The second heat was nearly as fast, with the top five tightly bunched down the homestretch. Emily Mackay (4:02.46) finished just ahead of Elise Cranny (4:02.56), Helen Schlachtenhaufen (4:02.68), Maggi Congdon (4:02.79) and Addi Wiley (4:02.92). "This is my first time doing three rounds and how I felt today makes me feel really confident going into the final,” said Mackay, the bronze medalist at the world indoor championships in March. “It definitely helps having a day off between now and the finals. I think people were less timid and more likely to run harder today.” The 800 featured a cutthroat format in which the top two in each of three semifinals advanced, along with three additional time qualifiers, and it produced a trio of sensational races. Josh Hoey (1:45.73) held off Clayton Murphy (1:45.76) in the first section. Isaiah Harris (1:46.21) and 2021 Olympian Isaiah Jewett (1:46.33) did not advance. "My first year as a pro I wrote down a bunch of goals, the last one was to make the outdoor final and I'm here five years later," said Hoey, a high school star who skipped the NCAA system and turned pro in 2018, but has struggled to find consistency prior to this season. "I made a lot of mistakes coming up to now, but I never gave up." In the second heat, Hobbs Kessler, who made the team in the 1500 on Monday, edged past Brandon Miller in the final strides to win in 1:43.71, a personal best by more than a second. Miller (1:43.73) also recorded the fastest time of his career. Abraham Alvarado (1:44.44) finished third and was rewarded with a time qualifier and the Paris Olympic standard (1:44.70 or better). "I just wanted to run Brandon down, because we've really been working on going through the gears that last 150," said Kessler. "That was a great opportunity to do it. I didn't want to leave anything on the table." Two-time defending national champion Bryce Hoppel exuded confidence as he controlled the final section, winning in 1:44.01, with Jonah Koech (1:44.47) taking the second automatic spot. Shane Cohen, using the same late-race charge that got him an NCAA title on this track earlier in the month, stormed from sixth to third in the final stretch, trimming his personal best to 1:44.92, which was good enough to advance. Crowd favorite Eric Holt clocked 1:45.05 and would have made it through on time, but he was disqualified for a lane infringement violation after taking three steps on the line.   PHOTO: Weini Kelati edges Parker Valby (2nd place) and Karissa Schweizer (3rd place) in the 10,000m at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials 10,000m (photo by Jane Monti for Race Results Weekly)  

(c) 2024 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved. Published with permission. EUGENE, ORE. (30-Jun) -- In the hour leading up to Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s stunning world record in the 400-meter hurdles (50.65), fans at the final session of the U.S. Olympic Team Trials — Track & Field were treated to a series of sensational middle- and long-distance races. On a memorable night at Hayward Field, Bryce Hoppel and Nikki Hiltz climbed up the all-time lists in the 800 and 1500, respectively, and Grant Fisher won his second event of the meet. All three broke Trials records. In the men's 800, Hoppel prevailed in a furious battle to grab the lead position on the rail at the 200-meter mark. He led at 400 meters in 51.20, with sometime training partner Hobbs Kessler --who had already made the team in the 1500-- swinging wide and surging into second place. Brandon Miller made a bid for the lead down the backstretch but Hoppel refused to yield. En route to his sixth straight U.S. title (three indoors and now three outdoors), Hoppel continued to build his lead, finishing in a sizzling 1:42.77. That's a lifetime best and makes him the third fastest American of all time. "In the moment I raced as hard as I could," said Hoppel, who won the world indoor title in March and is eyeing the podium in Paris. "I'm excited to try that against some international competition. I was feeling amazing.  I'm ready to go." Behind him Kessler passed Miller with 50 meters to go for the runner-up spot. Kessler lowered his personal best to 1:43.64, while Miller clocked 1:43.97, just off the 1:43.73 he ran in Friday’s semifinals. The next three finishers all ran the fastest times of their lives: Josh Hoey (1:44.12), Jonah Koech (1:44.32) and NCAA champion Shane Cohen (1:44.65). Clayton Murphy (1:44.90), the Olympic bronze medalist back in 2016 and the 2021 Trials champion, finished seventh. Kessler is the first American man to qualify for the Olympics in the 800 and 1500 since Rick Wohlhuter won both races at the 1976 Trials. He is leaning towards doing the double in Paris, but says he will discuss it with his coach, Ron Warhurst, and team. There is no overlap on the Olympic schedule, but the 1500 final is the night before the heats of the 800. "I think it can be done, but we'll see," Kessler said.  "I want the U.S. to have the best chance in the 8 and if it would mean that is someone else doing it fresh we'll let that happen. But if we think I can really give a good effort, we'll do that.  I was able to run 1:43 in my fifth and sixth races in less than 10 days so I think I have the ability to do it." In the women's 1500, defending Trials champion Elle St. Pierre wasted no time pushing the pace. She tore through 400 meters in 61.19 and 800 in 2:05.55, stringing out the pack. "I knew the field was really deep and I just wanted to make it honest," said the Vermont native, who won the 5000 meters earlier in the meet. "That worked for me in ’21 and I knew I could run fast. I was honestly surprised how well my legs felt for running two 5-Ks and two other rounds of the 1500." Leading the challenge were Sinclaire Johnson, Dani Jones, Emily Mackay and Hiltz. St. Pierre continued to lead at 1200 (3:08.77), but with 150 meters to go, her training partner Mackay drew even, then gained a slight lead down the homestretch. Hiltz came off the final turn and used a decisive kick to pass them both and win the race in 3:55.33, smashing the meet record of 3:58.03 that St. Pierre set in 2021 and moving to No. 2 on the U.S. all-time list. "I knew we were running fast, but I didn't want to know [the splits]," said Hiltz, the American record holder in the mile (4:16.35) and the silver medalist at the world indoor championships this year. "My instructions before the race were, 'Don't try to make an Olympic team, try to win the race, and so that's what I did." Hiltz, who identifies as transgender and non-binary and uses they/them pronouns, had been flooded with so much support from fans in person and on social media that she was feeling overwhelmed in Eugene. "I told myself I'm not gonna think about all the love and support until 100 meters to go, and at that moment you can let it all fill you up and push you to the finish line," said the reigning USA 1500m champion. "And that's exactly what I did, that's literally what brought me home." Mackay (3:55.90) edged St. Pierre (3:55.99) for second place, and they are now the third and fourth fastest Americans. The first eight finishers all went sub-4:00 and set personal bests, including Johnson (3:56.75), Corey McGee (3:57.44), Elise Cranny (3:57.87), Heather MacLean (3:58.31) and Helen Schlachtenhaufen (3:59.71). St. Pierre told reporters that she will not run the 5000 in Paris, which opens up a spot for Parker Valby, who was fourth in that race. Still, she had no regrets about doing the double at the Trials. "I'm really proud of myself. That took a lot of confidence and a lot of work," St. Pierre said. "There were times when I wasn't sure that I could pull it off, but I'm really proud and happy for myself that I did do it." The men's 5000 took an unusual turn when Woody Kincaid, already on the team in the 10,000, made a breakaway after only two laps, building up a lead of five seconds at the 1600 mark, with defending U.S. champion Abdihamid Nur (Kincaid's training partner) initially leading the chase pack. Fisher, who spent the time at his high-altitude training base in Park City, Utah, between the 10,000 and Thursday's heats of the 5000, pushed to the lead at 3600 meters and moments later he and Nur had gained separation from the field. Nur sprinted to the front with 250 meters remaining, but Fisher found one more gear and had just enough to break the tape first in 13:08.85, an Olympic Trials record. "I honestly didn't think it would be a very fast race. My plan was to go with three and a half laps to go and have it be a strong enough move that it made people think about going or not," said Fisher, who also made the team in both the 5000 and 10,000 in 2021. "There were a couple of variables that I didn’t quite expect, but that's how racing is." Nur was just a step behind, in 13:09.01. "We were squeezing those last four laps and I just wanted to get to that finish line," he said after making his first Olympic team.  "I wanted to win, but Grant had a great kick and we put on a great show." Part of that show was the battle that developed for third place between collegiate rivals Parker Wolfe of North Carolina and Graham Blanks of Harvard. Wolfe, who won the NCAA title on this track less than a month ago, steadily gained separation over the final lap, clocking 13:10.75, a personal best, to Blanks's 13:12.61 (Wolfe closed in 55.39, the fastest of anyone in the field). Dylan Jacobs (13:17.26) and Sean McGorty (13:18.27) followed, with 1500 winner Cole Hocker (13:20.99) finishing seventh. Fisher and Nur have met the Olympic qualifying time (13:05.00), but Wolfe has not. If his World Athletics ranking doesn’t move up high enough for a spot in the Paris field, then Blanks does have the mark. PHOTO: Nikki Hiltz wins the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials 1500m in a championships record 3:55.33 at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore. (photo by Jane Monti for Race Results Weekly)

EUGENE, ORE. (27-Jun) -- With the two standard bearers of American women's steeplechasing out with injuries, the final at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials — Track & Field figured to be an evenly matched contest featuring several strong contenders. The race delivered on that promise, with Val Constien ultimately dominating an exceptionally deep event thanks to a blistering final lap of the Hayward Field track. She'll be heading to her second Olympic Games, joined in Paris by second and third place finishers Courtney Wayment and Marisa Howard. Annie Rodenfels was the early leader, opening a gap of as much as 40 meters on the pack through the 1000-meter mark (3:00.53). It wasn't until about 1800 meters that the field finally swallowed her up, led by Wayment, Howard and Olivia Markezich, the recent Notre Dame grad. Wayment continued to press the pace, hitting the 2000 in 6:08.53 as the field began to string out. Finally, with 300 meters to go, Constien swung wide and surged to the front. She was unstoppable from there, cruising home in 9:03.22, a meet record. "I'm a pretty good closer, and so I knew if I knew if I was in the mix in the last 300 it would be tough to beat me," said Constien, who missed most of the 2023 season with a knee injury. "I'm getting confident in my kick and so I knew I had it in me." In the battle behind her, Markezich stumbled off the final water barrier but regrouped and chased Howard and Wayment into the homestretch. Unfortunately, Markezich fell after clearing the last barrier and went down hard on her chest as Wayment (9:06.50) passed Howard (9:07.14) for the runner-up spot.  Markezich ended up sixth in 9:14.87. The top nine finishers recorded personal bests, including Gabbi Jennings (9:12.08), Kaylee Mitchell (9:14.05), Markezich (9:14.87), Allie Ostrander (9:21.82), Rodenfels (9:22.66) and Lexy Halladay (9:22.77). Defending U.S. champ Krissy Gear dropped out after five laps. The race saw major revisions made to the U.S. all-time list, led by Constien, who is now the third-fastest American behind Courtney Frerichs (8:57.77) and Emma Coburn (9:02.35). Frerichs, the Olympic silver medalist in Tokyo, and Coburn, the 2017 world champion who won 10 national titles between 2011 and 2022, both suffered freak injuries this spring and were forced to miss the meet. "Emma and Courtney Frerichs paved the way. Without them we wouldn't have such a high bar," said Constien, who was a teammate of the duo at the 2021 Olympics. "Everyone's inspired by them, and without them there's no way that we could have done what we did here today." Constien's performance capped a remarkable comeback from ACL surgery in May 2023 following an awkward landing at the Doha Diamond League race. She practiced patience with her recovery, resuming running last September, but as recently as April she didn't even expect to be at the Trials, much less contend for an Olympic berth.  A personal best of 9:14.29 at the Prefontaine Classic on May 25, ultimately had her thinking she could actually be a factor in the race. "I never pushed myself. I really just listened to my body, and I was extra picky, took it day by day, did my PT and it just came together at the right time," Constien of her rehab. "But it was really patience. I didn't have to do anything crazy to get here." Wayment, who finished fourth at the 2021 Trials, was confident in her ability to close out the race. "With 300 to go I really relied on my training and I knew we worked very hard to make sure that I could wind down the last couple of laps," she said. "It was crazy to see that there were so many people still there. It's exciting, definitely a fun last 300 meters." Earlier in the evening, all the key contenders in the men's 800 advanced from the first round, with the top six in each heat (plus three time qualifiers) moving on to Friday’s semifinals. Part-time training partners Bryce Hoppel (1:46.83) and Hobbs Kessler (1:46.85) slapped hands in celebration after crossing the line first and second in the opening section. (Kessler had already qualified for Paris in the 1500.) NCAA runner-up Sam Whitmarsh (1:46.13) of Texas A&M, 2016 Olympic bronze medalist Clayton Murphy (1:47.05) and Tinoda Matsatsa (1:46.73) won the other sections. Shane Cohen of the University of Virginia, who took the NCAA title on this track in early June, was seventh entering the homestretch of the fourth heat, but accelerated well to finish third. "I felt strong. The race plan wasn't exactly executed. I was confident with 200 meters I was gonna be fine to make it through to the next rounds," he said. "Legs were definitely a little heavy from not racing for three weeks. It was definitely nice to be out there and get a good race under my belt." Advancing out of the women’s 1500 heats were all three members of the 2021 Olympic team: Elle St. Pierre, Cory McGee and Heather MacLean. Friday's semifinals will also feature Nikki Hiltz, Sinclaire Johnson, Emily Mackay and Elise Cranny, who made the 5000 team on Monday along with St. Pierre. Sage Hurta-Klecker, who finished fifth in Monday's 800 after being thrown off balance in the wake of the collision that sent Athing Mu to the ground, finished second to McGee in the first section. "I knew right away that I was going to come back, but easier said than done, especially coming back to what feels like a secondary event to me, but just trying to bring that self-confidence from the 8 into what used to be my main event," said Hurta-Klecker, who was the NCAA indoor mile champion in 2021 but has focused on the 800 over the past few years. The outpouring of support she’s received on social media and in person in Eugene have helped her regroup. "I can use all that positive energy," she said. Capping off the evening, the men’s 5000 heats featured the winners of the 1500 (Cole Hocker) and 10,000 (Grant Fisher) from earlier in the meet. Hocker languished in the back of the first section for most of the way before moving to the front at the bell. He covered the last lap in 53.11 to win in 13:33.45, followed by NCAA champion Parker Wolfe (13:33.96) of North Carolina, Cooper Teare (13:34.07), Morgan Beadlescomb (13:34.34), Olin Hacker (13:34.72) and Graham Blanks (13:35.00). In the second heat, Fisher camped out in second place most of the way, until 2023 national champ Abdihamid Nur moved to the lead with two laps to go, shaking up the pack. Woody Kincaid (13:23.91), who already qualified for Paris in the 10,000, used his trademark closing speed to pass Nur (13:24.14) shortly before the line and take the win. Fisher (13:24.78), Dylan Jacobs (13:24.91), Sam Prakel (13:25.01) and Sean McGorty (13:25.05) took the remaining automatic spots for Sunday's final.   PHOTO: Val Constien sprinting to victory in the 3000m steeplechase at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials in Eugene, Ore. (Photo by Jane Monti for Race Results Weekly)  

(c) 2024 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved. Published with permission. EUGENE, ORE. (24-Jun) -- On a frenetic night at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials — Track & Field, Cole Hocker and Elle St. Pierre won their events to secure their second Olympic berths, while a chaotic women’s 800 saw a team of newbies book their spots for Paris. The 800 was the final event of the evening at Hayward Field, a showcase for defending Olympic champion Athing Mu. But just as the pack reached the 200-meter mark, with Kristie Schoffield leading, Mu's long legs tangled with Raevyn Rogers's as she moved towards the rail and the New Jersey native fell to the track. By the time she got to her feet she was more than three seconds behind the leaders. Sage Hurta-Klecker had to sidestep the carnage, losing her balance, but staying upright. "I just knew somebody went down, and I was just tunnel vision focused on finishing the race," said reigning national champion Nia Akins who had fallen in the 2021 Olympic Trials. Michaela Rose took control from Schoffield before 400 (57.68) and held the lead as they headed down the backstretch. Just before 600 meters Akins grabbed the lead and steadily pulled away. None of the other women could mount a challenge and the Penn grad won in a personal best of 1:57.36. "I honestly wasn't even thinking," said Akins.  "I just felt it in my spirit to just go for it, and then went. I was like, I hope that works and we were able to pull it off." In the final 100 meters, Allie Wilson and NCAA champion Juliette Whittaker of Stanford battled for the runner-up spot, with Wilson prevailing, 1:58.32 to 1:58.45. Both women got under the Olympic qualifying standard (1:59.30) for the first time. Rose (1:59.32) finished fourth, while Hurta-Klecker (2:00.38) rallied for fifth. Schoffield (2:01.04) finished sixth, ahead of Olympic bronze medalist Raevyn Rogers (2:01.12) and Kate Grace (2:02.37). Mu jogged the final 200 meters, crossing the line tearfully in 2:19.69. In the men's 1500 final, American-record holder Yared Nuguse used a front-running strategy he believed best suited his strength, pushing the tempo through 400 (56.64) and 800 (1:55.73). Behind him, Hobbs Kessler and Vincent Ciattei established --and protected-- their positions. Nuguse still led at 1200 (2:51.33), but moments later Hocker stormed down the backstretch and jumped to a lead he would not surrender. Hocker’s winning time of 3:30.59 smashed the meet record. Nuguse (3:30.86) and Kessler (3:31.53 PB) took the next two spots on the team.  Ciattei (3:31.78), Nathan Green (3:32.20), Henry Wynne (3:32.94), Joe Waskom (3:33.74) and Elliott Cook (3:33.84) followed, all setting PBs. "I was kinda floating in the outside of lane one, I was comfortable there," said Hocker, a former University of Oregon star who finished sixth in the Tokyo Olympics. "I was like, if this is the pace that we're going, I'm happy being here." He defeated Nuguse for the first time since the 2021 Olympic Trials. "I like to win and I definitely want to be the fastest American at the very least," said Hocker, who will contest the 5000 later in the week. "It just happens that one of the best guys in the world is American. But it feels good to win for sure." Nuguse had no regrets for his tactics, even if he couldn't find the final gear needed to win. "I wanted to run a race that I felt like was my race, and I think just really going out and hammering it was the way to go," said Nuguse, who qualified for the Tokyo Games but had to withdraw at the last minute due to a freak quadricep injury he suffered in Japan. "Today Cole got the better of me, but it just shows how good a team is going to be heading into Paris." Kessler, who competed at the 2021 Trials as a high school phenom, was grateful to fulfill the expectations that had followed him the past three years. "I just felt like ever since I signed pro, this is the race that we were all looking to, [that we] figured I would be developed enough and it was my time to start competing on the world stage," he said. "It was a lot of pressure. I'm really proud of how I managed it. The race was hard, Vince was close, but I'm super happy, super relieved, couldn't wait to get this over with." In the women’s 5000, NCAA standout Parker Valby set an honest early tempo through the 1000 (3:00.23) and 2000 (5:58.89), stringing out the field. By 3000 (8:57.57) the pack was down to six: Valby, Elle St. Pierre, Elise Cranny, Karissa Schweizer, Rachel Smith and Whittni Morgan.  They were on pace to all get below the Olympic Games qualifying standard of 14:52.00. As the pace steadily picked up, Smith and Morgan drifted back and it was down to a four-woman race for three Olympic spots. Valby still led at 4000 (11:56.14), but less than 200 meters later, with two laps to go, St. Pierre surged to the front, pulling Cranny and Schweizer with her. Cranny unsuccessfully tried to pass St. Pierre on the final backstretch, so she waited until the final 100 meters to try again. The pair ran side by side to the finish until St. Pierre (14:40.34) held on for the win by a mere two hundredths of a second. "I was relying a bit on my 1500-meter speed," said St. Pierre, who returned from a maternity break this season to resume her status as the top American miler. "I knew it was gonna be a sit-and-kick race, so I had confidence going into the last lap that I could be right there for the finish no matter how fast it went." In addition to her 1500/mile dominance, St. Pierre has flexed her distance muscles this year by winning the gold medal in the 3000 at the world indoor championships in March and lowering her 5000 personal best to 14:34.12 in May (making her the fifth fastest American of all time). Given that the 5000 and 1500 are spaced out at the Trials, a double is feasible. "I had a bit of a change of heart, I didn't originally want to (double)," she admitted. "I think it was a great opportunity. I made my first world team in the 5000 in Doha [in 2019] and to be able to do both here is pretty awesome. I didn't want to give up the opportunity. I think it would have been hard to sit home and watch the 5000 go by. There are enough days to recover and I'm just happy to do both." Though Cranny's string of three straight U.S. titles in the event came to an end, she was pleased to be on her second Olympic team. "It was incredible to race against her," she said of St. Pierre. "We've been watching her run so fast earlier this year, and just the season she's been having, getting the gold medal indoors I was excited to race her because she’s definitely elevating women’s distance running." Schweizer (14:45.12) held on to the third spot on the team, while Valby was rewarded for her hard work with a personal best (14:51.44). Significantly, she dipped under the Olympic qualifying time (14:52.00). Should any of the top three qualify in another event over the second weekend of the Trials, a spot in the 5000 could open up. The women’s 3000-meter steeplechase prelims, also held on Monday, were without 10-time national champion Emma Coburn and Olympic silver medalist Courtney Frerichs, who suffered injuries earlier in the year. In their absence, all the key contenders in a well-matched field moved on to Thursday's final. Kaylee Mitchell won the first heat in 9:29.54, followed by 2021 Olympian Valerie Constien (9:29.61) and Courtney Wayment (9:29.66). Gabbi Jennings (9:23.88) took the second section, followed by Marisa Howard (9:26.38) and Olivia Markezich (9:26.67). Defending U.S. champion Krissy Gear finished sixth after fading mid-race, but grabbed one of the time qualifiers (9:30.92). PHOTO: Cole Hocker winning the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials 1500m in a Trials record 3:30.59 (photo by Jane Monti for Race Results Weekly)

(c) 2024 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved. Published with permission. EUGENE, ORE. (21-Jun) -– Grant Fisher surged to the front with less than three laps to go to decisively break open the men's 10,000 meters on the first night of the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials — Track & Field. The American record holder was followed across the line at Hayward Field by Woody Kincaid and Nico Young, who will join him in Paris. It was an honest race from the start with Conner Mantz --already on the Olympic team in the marathon-- setting the tempo. He was followed by a single file procession of Young, Fisher, Kincaid, Paul Chelimo and Andrew Colley.  In the early laps, Mantz was towing the field at a sub-27:00 pace. Chelimo briefly went to the lead after 4200 meters, but Mantz surged ahead half a lap later. By halfway the pace had slowed enough to allow the main chase pack of Sam Chelanga, Drew Hunter, Casey Clinger and Ryan Ford to latch onto back of the lead group. Chelanga, 38, went to the lead at 6600 meters and opened up a small gap, but a kilometer later Young was up front. Chelimo briefly took control with three laps to go, but his challenge was short lived. With two and a half laps remaining, Fisher made his move and the field was unable to respond. As the pack broke apart, Kincaid, Young and Hunter remained in the hunt for the final two roster spots. Hunter, who does not have the Olympic qualifying standard, was the odd man out in the final half lap. Fisher won in 27:49.47, well clear of a fast-closing Kincaid (27:50.74) and Young (27:52.40). Hunter, the former high school record holder in the indoor mile, was fourth in 27:53.35, followed by Clinger (27:59.71) and Mantz (28:00.90). Chelimo, a two-time Olympic medalist in the 5000, faded badly and came home 10th in 28:18.31. "This definitely is validation," Fisher said, referring to his decision to part ways with the Bowerman Track Club last year and reunite with his former high school coach, Mike Scannell. "When I mapped out the year with my coach, we had an indoor plan, we had an outdoor plan, the overarching goal was to get on the team." At last year's USA championships, Fisher was fighting an injury and finished fourth, one spot off making the team for the World Athletics Championships in Budapest. "I missed the team last year, super disappointing to watch Budapest from the couch. So to be back on the team feels really good. We targeted this race not as a qualifier, but I wanted to win. And I wanted to do it dominantly, and I wanted to show myself that I'm still the best guy in the country." He will also attempt to make the team in the 5000 meters when that event begins next week. Kincaid said he missed about 10 days of training in late April with an injury, so wasn't sure what to expect in this race. "Nobody likes coming into the Olympic Trials having not raced in three months," he said. "Even at 31 I thought I would be more confident coming in, but nope, still nervous." Still, he knew his closing speed was his not-so-secret-weapon (he closed in 55.8 seconds). "I would like to have not relied on the kick, but that's what it comes down to when you're trying to make an Olympic team," said Kincaid, the 2021 Trials champion. "When it got to 200 to go and I saw out of the corner of my eye on the screen who was still with me I was like, it's time to burn it." Young, who like Kincaid is coached by Northern Arizona University's Mike Smith, was pleased with his effort, capping off a year that saw him win NCAA indoor titles in the 3000 and 5000 and set collegiate records in the 5000 (12:57.14 indoors) and 10,000 (26:52.72). "I kinda wish I felt better out there today," he said. "It was good enough for today, so I'm happy with that." Earlier in the evening there were first round heats in the women's 800 and 5000 and the men's 1500 and 3000-meter steeplechase. Athing Mu, the defending Olympic champion in the women's 800, looked comfortable in her first race since September. The New Jersey native, who had been struggling with hamstring issues, opened her 2024 season with a third-place finish in her heat (the top six advanced) in 2:01.73. "The main thing is just competing with other athletes," she said. "Here being three rounds, that's plenty of time to get acquainted with the event once again and just feel for what it's like to be in a fast 800." Louisiana State University's Michaela Rose had the fastest time of the day (1:59.57), running a blistering opening lap of 56.50 and holding on to win her heat easily. Also advancing were Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist Raevyn Rogers (a crowd favorite thanks to her time at the University of Oregon), defending U.S. champion Nia Akins, two-time Olympian Ajee' Wilson, reigning national indoor champion Allie Wilson, Sage Hurta-Klecker, and NCAA champion Juliette Whittaker of Stanford (representing On Running here). Northern Arizona's Colin Sahlman (3:38.67) and world road mile champion Hobbs Kessler (3:37.50) won the first two tightly bunched heats, while Cole Hocker asserted a bit more authority on his section, winning from the front in 3:34.54. Kessler was at or near the lead for most of his race, with defending U.S. champion Yared Nuguse taking over in the second half. "I'm comfortable in the lead, especially at 60-second pace, it's pretty chill," said Kessler, who made his professional debut at the 2021 Trials at age 18, fresh out of high school. "Just trying to work on my positioning through these rounds. Happy with a little experience leading and happy that Yared took over for a little bit too, to practice my positioning relative to someone. I have a habit of getting stuck to the rail, and that leaves you with nowhere to go, so trying to break that habit." Matthew Centrowitz, the 2016 Olympic gold medalist, was a late scratch. "Unfortunately I won't be having the fairytale ending I was hoping to have this week at my fourth Olympic Trials," he wrote in a social media post that revealed an illness after the Los Angeles Grand Prix in May, followed by a hamstring strain. "I ran out of time. My hamstring still won't allow me to run race pace intervals. But I am able to jog now. It's not goodbye. It's see ya later." After letting NCAA champion Parker Valby do most of the leading in the first heat of the women's 5000, world indoor 3000 champion Elle St. Pierre blasted to the front and won in 15:13.82, followed by Karisa Schweizer (15:15.42) and Valby (15:17.56). Though St. Pierre is heavily favored to make her second Olympic team in the 1500, she chose to do the double following an impressive personal best (14:34.12) in May. "It was going to be hard to sit back and watch the 5K go by and then show up for the 15," she said. "You should take every opportunity that you have, and I did well in the 5K this year and had fun doing it, and so I wanted to come out here and do the 5K and 15. It's full circle, because I made my first world team in the 5K [in 2019] and then I went to the Olympics [in 2021] in the 1500." The second section was considerably slower, but Elise Cranny (16:02.33) looked impressive in covering the final 1600 meters in 4:29.32. That heat was also notable for the return of Katelyn Tuohy, who was racing for the first time since November's NCAA cross country championships. The former N.C. State star advanced with a 16:09.22 clocking and was pleased with her effort after battling a series of injuries over the last eight months. "It was an interesting race, probably the hardest 16-minute 5K of my life," she said. "I was happy with how I hung on. It's hard to run that way. I'm still not sure what kind of shape I'm in." The men's steeplechase semis were won by Matthew Wilkinson (8:20.61) and defending U.S. champion Kenneth Rooks (8:26.90). Also moving on was 2016 Olympic silver medalist Evan Jager and 2021 Olympian Benard Keter. NCAA champion Parker Stokes of Georgetown finished 10th in his heat and did not advance. Mason Ferlic, an Olympian three years ago, was a late scratch, revealing a hamstring tear in an Instagram post. "This is not the first time I've been knocked down," he wrote, "and won't be the last time I get back up." PHOTO: Grant Fisher wins the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials 10,000m title in Eugene, Ore. (Photo by Jane Monti for Race Results Weekly)

(c) 2024 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved NEW YORK (09-Jun) -– The USATF NYC Grand Prix, a World Athletics Continental Gold-level meeting, was a sprint showcase, but also featured three exciting middle-distance races on what turned out to be a warm and windy afternoon at Icahn Stadium on Randall's Island. Great Britain's Jake Wightman, the 2022 world champion in the 1500 meters, won his specialty with a well-timed kick, while American Sage Hurta-Klecker and Mexico's Tonatiu Lopez took the 800s. The men’s 1500 set off at a modest pace, passing 800 meters in 1:57. The entire 12-man field was separated by just one second at the bell, with Eric Holt, an unsponsored athlete with the local Empire Elite Track Club, in the lead (2:41.1) as he aimed to win this race for the second year in a row. But Wightman, who missed the 2023 season due to a foot injury, continued his comeback campaign by timing his finishing kick perfectly. He cranked out a 52.6-second last lap to win in 3:34.01.  Holt was rewarded for his aggressive running with a personal best 3:34.05, while Hobbs Kessler, bronze medalist at March's World Athletics Indoor Championships, took third in 3:34.41. "I was trying to work out the wind," Wightman told Race Results Weekly. "I knew it was going to be in the home straight. So, my hope was that I could be strong enough that no one else could run into the wind. But, Holt ran fast. He was there all the time. If I could have asked for that, I would have wanted it. It was a good simulation for the [upcoming British] Trials which is what I need." Holt had been hoping the early pace would have been quicker so he might hit the Olympic qualifying standard of 3:33.50. "Unfortunately, it was really slow, but it is what it is," said the SUNY Binghamton grad. "I thought I was gonna win the race. But [Wightman] is a world champion for a reason and today my effort wasn't good enough." He then lamented his status without a sponsorship deal. "Every race I step on the track I just want to show the sponsors that I deserve to be a pro, that I'm not just some schmuck, that I work really hard," said Holt, who finished 4th at the 2022 USATF Outdoor Championships. Vincent Ciattei (3:34.62) came home fourth, while 5000/10,000-specialist Grant Fisher ran a personal best of 3:34.90 for fifth and Eduardo Herrera set a Mexican national record 3:35.29 in sixth. The women's 800 field was towed through the first lap in 59.0, with Sammy Watson taking over for the pacer and leading through 600 meters and into the final turn. Coming into the straightaway, Hurta-Klecker surged to the lead and broke the tape in 2:00.33. Olivia Baker swung wide and mounted a late challenge, but couldn't quite close the gap, finishing second in 2:00.73. Watson placed third in 2:00.91. "My first couple of races were super, super fast, and this was just a good racing experience," said Hurta-Klecker, who ran a season's best of 1:58.48 to finish seventh at the Prefontaine Classic in May. "It's a little bit different from a Diamond League where everything is lined up, strung out, so I needed a little bit of practice of getting into position and going for the win." Baker was also pleased with her run. "The goal was just to take another step forward. I ran 2:01 last week, two-flat today," she said. "So, I'm moving in the right direction. I'm really happy with where I am going into the Trials." The men's 800 also featured a frantic sprint to the line. Lopez had trailed the pacer through an opening 400 of 50.9, and refused to relinquish the lead, despite Isaiah Jewett’s best efforts. Lopez, who won the silver at the Pan American Games last fall, held his form and clocked 1:44.96 for the win, holding off a rush of challengers. Lopez, who was targeting the Olympic qualifying standard (1:44.70), didn't realize that the field was quickly gaining ground down the homestretch. "I didn't know that they were so close to me," he said. [There was] no screen to see. I don't feel the steps [behind me].  So, I was thinking it was only me. But I'm very happy that I finished first." NCAA Division II champion Wes Ferguson of Nebraska Wesleyan, just seventh with 100 meters to go, closed well for second in a personal best 1:45.06. Josh Hoey (1:45.35) also set a PB after passing Jewett (1:45.41) a step before the line. Clayton Murphy (1:45.75), the Olympic bronze medalist in 2016, placed fifth. Ferguson, who won his third-straight Division II outdoor title on May 25, was pleased to be the top American in the field but had some regrets over his tactics. "I'm really happy and I wouldn't say that I'm ticked off, but if I had started that kick any time sooner, that would have been mine," he said. "So, a good lesson to learn going into the Trials. A big PR, so I guess I can't be too upset." PHOTO: Jane Wightman (right) just edged Eric Holt in the 1500m at the 2024 USATF NYC Grand Prix (photo by Jane Monti for Race Results Weekly)  

(c) 2024 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved NEW YORK (08-Jun) -- Like the conductor of a world class symphony, Senbere Teferi of Ethiopia controlled today's 52nd edition of the Mastercard New York Mini 10K simply by swinging her arms.  The 29 year-old Olympian, who represents adidas, pushed to the lead early, stayed at the front through all of Central Park's ups and downs, then flattened the competition by running a 4:32 sixth mile to put the race away.  With the finish line bathed in sunshine, she clocked 30:47 to win her third consecutive Mini title and vowed to come back to try to win again next year. "God willing, I would love to come back," the smiling Teferi told Race Results Weekly through a translator.  "It's a great race, the organizers are great, and the fans are great.  So, I would love to always be able to come back." Two Kenyan women, Sharon Lokedi (Under Armour) and Sheila Chepkirui (adidas), kept today's race honest.  Both women ran close behind Teferi through the halfway point (15:38), and were right on her heels through the four-mile mark (20:01).  Lokedi, the 2022 TCS New York City Marathon champion, was determined to keep up the pressure on her Ethiopian rival. "I knew this was like 2022 back again," said Lokedi, referring to the 50th edition of this race where she finished second to Teferi.  "I felt so strong, but I just didn't have the speed in me.  So, I just wanted to fight as much as I can and stay there as long as I could." As the race crossed over from the east to the west side of the Central Park during the fifth mile, Teferi picked up her pace slightly.  That was enough for Chepkirui to fall back and she had to settle for third in 31:09.  Lokedi held on as long as she could, but with the clock showing 26 minutes and 27 seconds Teferi put in a powerful surge.  In just a few strides, Lokedi was dropped. "We went up that hill and all of a sudden she took off, and I just couldn't cover it," lamented Lokedi, who finished second in 31:04. Teferi wasn't looking at her watch.  Running on feel and using her experience with the course, she knew Lokedi was a strong athlete and only a truly savage move would assure victory. "I could sense from the way she was breathing that she was falling back," Teferi said of Lokedi.  "At that point I just kicked." A little farther back, American Amanda Vestri (ZAP Endurance) was having the race of her life.  The 24 year-old, who ran a personal best 31:10.53 for 10,000m exactly three weeks ago in London, used the trio of Africans to gauge her pace right from the start.  Through 5 km she was only two seconds behind them, and about four seconds back at 4 miles.  She faced a critical decision. "Not like I was getting nervous, but there are a lot of Americans still here right now," Vestri said, describing the situation before halfway when Jessica McClain (Brooks), Dakotah Lindwurm (Puma/Minnesota Distance Elite), and Emily Durgin (adidas) were still near the front.  She continued: "My goal was to be top American in the race, so there was a moment in time when it was either stay back with the chunk of the Americans or go ahead with the faster women at the front." Vestri ended up running the second half alone, but she was ready for that.  She finished fourth in a personal best 31:17, comfortably ahead of McClain in fifth (31:22) and Durgin in sixth (31:49).  Vestri clocked the fourth-fastest Mini ever by an American, although times are not completely comparable because the race has used several courses, "It was like at 16 minutes when I was like, geez Amanda, you either have to pay the price and go with them and suffer a little bit... or stay back, stay comfortable and see what happens, I guess," Vestri continued.  "Honestly, I'd rather rely on me suffering than me kicking at the end of the race.  So, I decided to suffer." While Teferi earned the largest check ($10,000 for the win), Vestri also had a good day for her bank account.  She earned $2,500 for fourth place plus another $5,000 for being the top American. For the two Americans who will run the 2024 Olympic Marathon who raced here today, Lindwurm and Emily Sisson (New Balance), their results were solid.  Lindwurm, who was running just her first Mini, finished eighth in 31:58, a personal best.  Sisson, who was running her third Mini, finished ninth in 32:08.  Lindwurm loved her race experience. "Oh my gosh, it was like nothing else," said Lindwurm.  "It was a fun race.  I PR'd in the 5K (15:45) in the middle of a 10K.  I'll be back for sure; this was electric." While official results were not available as of this writing, the race likely had a record number of finishers.  The previous record was 8,885 from 2019, but with over 12,500 entries this year the record was likely broken. PHOTO: Senbere Teferi of Ethiopia wins her third consecutive Mastercard Mini 10K in 30:47; the tapeholder is 2024 USA Olympic Trials Women's Marathon champion Fiona O'Keeffe (Photo by Jane Monti for Race Results Weekly)

(c) 2024 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved NEW YORK (07-Jun) -- Through 10 different presidential administrations, six generations of the Corvette, and --more recently-- 23 editions of the iPhone, the Mastercard New York Mini 10K has endured as the most important all-women's road race in the world.  Held 51 times since the event's inception in 1972 when just 72 women participated, the Mini's various finish lines in Central Park have seen about 235,000 women complete the race, from casual walkers to Olympic and World champions like Paula Radcliffe of Great Britain, Lornah Kiplagat of the Netherlands, Linet Masai of Kenya, and Grete Waitz of Norway. "The race became an emblem of women's equality, and feistiness, and freedom," race co-founder Kathrine Switzer told CBS News in 2022.  "And now we have our very own race." For New York Road Runners, the event's founders and organizers who will stage the 52nd edition tomorrow, the Mini is part of their DNA.  It was the world's first road race for women, run just three weeks before the landmark Title IX legislation became law which protected "people from discrimination based on sex in education programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance," according to the Federal Department of Education.  The Mini started a movement in women's running which ultimately led to the inclusion of the women's marathon in the 1984 Olympics. "Fifty-two years later the organization is still running the Mini 10K, now the Mastercard 10K," said Christine Burke, NYRR's senior vice-president.  "It's a real moment for women runners to feel that sense of togetherness and empowerment.  We have continued to run it with professional women leading the way.  Tomorrow, there will be 9,000 women behind those professionals." Burke, and her professional athletes chief Sam Grotewold, have continued to emphasize that the Mini is a high-level athletics competition, not just a mass-participation event.  The elite field has a total of 39 athletes including four past champions, five Paris 2024 Olympians, and seven of the top 10 finishers from the 2024 USA Olympic Team Trials Women's Marathon.  Thirteen women have previously run sub-32:00 in a road 10K. "New York Road Runners really believes in women," explained Burke, who pointed out that half of the not-for-profit's senior executive team are women.  She continued: "It is an investment that pays dividends over time.  We still have professional runners who ran with us back in the 80's, 90's and early 2000's coming back to be part of our race weekend, whether that's at the marathon or here at the Mini." Grotewold, who recruits and manages elite athletes for all of NYRR's events, signed the entire USA Olympic Marathon squad of Fiona O'Keeffe, Emily Sisson and Dakotah Lindwurm for the Mini, although O'Keeffe said today that she won't start due to a tight calf (see below).  The last time the entire Olympic Marathon squad were contracted for the Mini was in 2008 when Deena Kastor, Magdalena Lewy-Boulet and Blake Russell ran the race. Sisson has run the Mini twice before, taking fourth in 2023 in 31:16 and seventh in 2022 in 31:29.  The Tokyo 2020 Olympian in the 10,000m loves the race, but this year it feels different because it comes in the middle of a marathon build-up.  She's looking forward to the jolt that racing normally gives her. "This is my first time going in during marathon training," Sisson told Race Results Weekly.  "Usually I race 10K's all the time during marathon training and don't really think much of it.  I usually like racing in builds; it's a fun way to break things up.  And, often when I go into a race feeling flat I come out of that race feeling a lot better in training." Sisson said that she felt like her current fitness was similar to last year, despite all of the hilly miles she's been putting in getting ready for the Olympics. "I still think I can hold my own tomorrow," she said.  "I'm excited to race everyone." Lindwurm, who took third place at the USA Olympic Trials Women's Marathon, has never run the Mini before.  A true marathon specialist, she rarely races at 10K. "It's pretty intimidating for me," said a smiling Lindwurm.  "I really don't race 10K's very often.  I think that I've raced, like, two in my professional career.  So, it's a short sprint for me, really.  I'm just trying to stay strong and race the hills.  I'm not really worried about the field." O'Keeffe, the Marathon Trials winner, was excited to race here tomorrow but decided to scratch to protect her training for Paris. "It's really exciting just to be here supporting the event and women's running," said O'Keeffe.  She continued: "Actually, I'm not going to line up tomorrow.  I  have a tight right calf coming off of a big long run workout last weekend.  So, I don't want to take any risks.  I'm bummed to miss the race.  It's such a strong field; I was really excited about it.  But, just trying to make smart calls knowing that it's a long build to Paris." The race's reigning champion, Senbere Teferi, hopes to defend her title.  Last year she won the final sprint over reigning Boston Marathon champion Hellen Obiri of Kenya (the pair clocked 30:12 and 30:19, respectively).  Teferi's mark was an event record. "Until the very end I was trusting in God that I could win, that I could beat her," Teferi told Race Results Weekly last year.  "I knew that Hellen had a stronger kick than me.  We were both kind of tired and had been competitive throughout.  But as we approached the end I was just thinking, if she comes let her come.  I just have to go for it." Teferi's strongest competition this year is likely to come from two Kenyans, Sheila Chepkirui and Sharon Lokedi.  Chepkirui has a sizzling personal best of 29:46, and Lokedi was the runner-up at this year's Boston Marathon.  Also with their eyes on the podium are Mexico's Laura Galvan, third at last year's Mini in 31:14, and former USA marathon record holder Keira D'Amato, who was fifth here last year in 31:23. The sentimental favorite for the podium is Kenya's Edna Kiplagat.  Kiplagat, 44, won the race 12 years ago and has been in great form this year.  She finished third at last April's Boston Marathon in 2:23:31 and, since turning 40 in 2019, has a 10K best of 32:09.  She finished ninth here last year in 32:17. The Mini will be broadcast LIVE and free, both on the web and over-the-air television.  Watch instructions are here. The pro race begins at 8:00 a.m. EDT, while the coverage show starts an hour earlier at 7:00 a.m. PHOTO: Reigning Mastercard New York Mini 10K champion and course record holder Senbere Teferi of Ethiopia (Photo by Jane Monti for Race Results Weekly)