Atlanta provided near perfect weather, a sunny 50 degree morning, for the USATF Masters 5 Km Championships. The challenging hills of Atlanta prevented personal best times, but the competition was outstanding.
OVERALL
WOMEN Stephanie Pezzullo, a five-time Olympic Trials qualifier in the Marathon and steeplechase returned to Atlanta with redemption in mind. She finished second in her 2024 outing to an outstanding effort by April Lund. This time, Pezzullo sped to the front and made everyone chase her to the finish line. She won in 17:48, finishing almost a minute ahead of Julia Webb, at 18:41. Lorilynn Bloomer, out of the 50-54 division, claimed third in 19:09.
MEN Nicholas Kipruto sped to his third consecutive overall win on the USATF Masters Grand Prix series. His 15:16 left him more than 200 meters ahead of Chris Sloane, at 15:48. Richard Bouckaert was eleven seconds back in third.
AGE GRADING (net time)
The Age Grading Performance Level Percentage (PLP) indicates how a runner’s time compares to the fastest possible time run by an athlete of that age. The higher the percentage, the better the performance.
MEN Rick Lee, who set a World M65 Record for the Steeplechase this summer, scored the top PLP. His 18:04 scored 91.83%! Nat Larson, 64, finished second; his 17:59 scored 90.51%. Dean Thompson, 61, claimed bronze with 90.37% from 17:43.
WOMEN Suzanne La Burt, 63, raced to 20:41 over this hilly 5K course. In 20:41, earning a 91.88%. Bloomer, 54, the bronze medalist overall, collected a silver age grading medal with her 88.66%. Mary Cass, 65, finished third, at 87.41%, from 22:17.
AGE DIVISION
WOMEN 40-44 Lauren Davis 45-49 Emily Noble 20:04 50-54 Bloomer 55-59 Melissa Landers-Potts 20:38 60-64 La Burt 65-69 Cass 22:17 70-74 Kitty Musante 24:07 75-79 Norma Hudnall 27:56 85-89 Joyce Hodges-Hite 57:02.
MEN 40-44 Joshua Davis 45-49 Jay Stephenson 16:05 50-54 Rodney Stoker 16:13 55-59 Gregory Putnam 17:16 60-64 Thompson 65-69 Lee 70-74 Jack Pottle 20:29 75-79 Doug Bell 22:41 80-84 Gary Patton 24:45.
TEAM
The ‘home team’ Atlanta Track Club won two Men’s team division races, M40+ and M80+, along with two Women’s, W70+ and W80+. Shore Athletic Club, from New Jersey, won M70+, as well as W50+ and W60+. Genesee Valley Harriers, from New York, won M50+, while Greater Springfield Harriers, from Massachusetts, won M60+. The Athens Road Runners, of Georgia, won W40+.
Next up for the Masters National Grand Prix is the Masters 5 Km Cross Country Championships in Huntsville AL. For details, see: 2026 USATF Masters 5 KM Cross Country Championships | USA Track & Field.
Submitted by Paul Carlin