USATF Women’s 5000 — Comebacking Houlihan Kicks Best

AFTER COMING BACK hot from her four-year doping ban during the indoor season, capped by a silver medal in the World Indoor 3000, Shelby Houlihan’s outdoor results were unimpressive. She passed up the 1500 to focus on the 5000 in Eugene and found her groove just in time to win her fourth national title — but first in 6 years — in the event.

A tactical race unfolded as Allie Buchalski took the early lead through a conservative opening 1000 (3:12.07), with Karissa Schweizer and Alicia Monson close behind. Just past the mile, Annie Rodenfels moved to the front and paced the group through 2000 (6:25.01) and 3000 (9:30.29). Weini Kelati, doubling back from a 4th-place finish in the 10,000 ran second, with Taylor Roe, Buchalski, Houlihan, Monson and Schweizer in tow.

Emily Venters took the lead at 3400, followed by Bailey Hertenstein and Kelati, but the racing really began at 4000 (12:31.50) when Josette Andrews — who ran a U.S. leading 14:25.37 at the Rome Diamond League in early June — surged into the lead, dropping the pace significantly from the 74-second range to 68.01.

Elise Cranny, a 3-time champ in the event (‘21–’23) and this year’s 10,000 runner-up had been back in the pack in the early going, but covered Andrews’ move and was now among the leaders.

Just past the bell, Hertenstein flew around the penultimate curve and shot to the front with 250 to go. Houlihan and Cranny reacted quickly, passing Andrews as they went into the last bend.

Hertenstein looked to be in control but completely fell apart down the homestretch. Houlihan sprinted past her to notch her first national title since taking the 1500/5000 double in 2019. She covered her final lap in 61.85 to finish 15:13.61.

“This whole outdoor season everything has felt like a grind,” she said. “I haven’t really had the wheels underneath so I was just trying to trust that today would be the day. And it happened.”

Cranny (15:14.26) was a clear runner-up, while Andrews (15:15.01) rallied to pass Hertenstein with 50 meters to go and make her first outdoor national team.

“I felt really good throughout the race, and that was the most calm and patient I’ve ever been,” said Andrews, who missed a spot on the ’23 Worlds team by one place. “But I did want to take the lead, regardless, with a K to go….