EARLY-FALL road headlines were dominated by the WMM races in Berlin, London & Chicago, but that wasn’t all the notable action, as USATF Champs were named in the 10K, 10M and 20K. And a long-awaited marathon debut didn’t disappoint.
USATF 20K: Mantz & D’Amato
New Haven, Connecticut, September 05 — Some of the top American marathoners tuned up for the fall season with fast runs in humid conditions at the USATF 20K Championships. Conner Mantz used a hard final 800 to win the men’s race — and $9000 — in 59:08, having pulled away from Leonard Korir (59:13), Sam Chelanga (59:15), Shadrack Kipchirchir (59:18) and Biya Simbassa (59:19).
Keira D’Amato sliced 42 seconds off the women’s course record with her 64:29, taking home a $10,000 prize. She beat Emily Sisson (65:35) by more than a minute by breaking away with a mile to go, as Nell Rojas (67:02) and Annie Frisbie (67:17) took the next two spots.
USATF 10K: Simbassa & Bruce
Northport, New York, September 17 — The hilly course at the Great Cow Harbor 10K hosted the USATF road championships. Course records went to both winners, as Stephanie Bruce (31:53.0) and Biya Simbassa (28:12.4) won the $10,000 prizes.
It marked the final USATF title of Bruce’s career, as she is retiring from competitive running at age 38 after the New York Marathon, because of a congenital heart condition.
Not far behind Bruce were Nell Rojas (31:57) and Annie Frisbie (31:59), while Simbassa had a solid margin over Leonard Korir (28:35) and Sam Chelanga (28:36).
USATF 10M: Bor & O’Keeffe
St. Paul, Minnesota, October 02—Fiona O’Keeffe had the biggest payday at the USATF 10-miler, after starting with a 5:53 head start and finishing ahead of the first man, Hillary Bor.
O’Keeffe’s 51:42 course record (topping a Molly Huddle 51:44 from ’15) earned her a total of $22,000 that included the “equalizer bonus.” Annie Frisbie crossed 2nd in 52:10, with Emily Durgin (52:16) and Nell Rojas (52:20) ahead of Olympic Trials Marathon winner Aliphine Tuliamuk (52:35).
Of winning the equalizer prize, O’Keeffe said, “It’s easier to be the hunter than the hunted. I knew I was ready for a strong race. I just didn’t know what that would translate to.”
Even after bouncing back from a fall in the fourth mile, Bor, bloodied head and all, produced a 46:06 that took down an even older…
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