INDIANAPOLIS -- Bettering the American record in the women's half marathon race walk*, Lauren Harris (Holtsville, NY/USATF New York) earned recognition as the ninth USATF Athlete of the Week award winner for 2026.
Harris, who earlier this year set American records in the 10,000 race walk and indoor 5000 race walk, dominated the women's competition at the USATF Race Walking World Team Trials in Gainesville, Florida, covering the half marathon distance in 1:44:03 to take more than nine minutes off the inaugural American record of 1:53:26 that was set by Katie Burnett in January.
This is the first year that the half marathon and marathon will be contested as race walk championship distances on a global scale, and athletes at the Trials were competing for berths at the World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships to be held April 12 in Brazil. Other top performances from last week:
Nick Christie won the men's title at the USATF Half Marathon Race Walk Trials in Florida in 1:34:29.
Andrew Jones ran the second fastest high school boys' 300 hurdles ever with a 34.94 at the Texas A&M Bluebonnet Invitational. Jones also won the 110 hurdles with a wind-aided 13.11 after a windy 13.01 in the prelims.
* – all American records are subject to verification by the USATF Records Committee.
Now in its 25th year, USATF’s Athlete of the Week program is designed to recognize outstanding performers at all levels of the sport. USATF names a new honoree each week when there are high-level competitions and features the athlete on USATF.org. Selections are based on top performances and results from the previous week.
2026 Winners: January 15, Jonathan Simms; January 22, Michelle Rohl; January 29, Josh Hoey; February 5, Roisin Willis; February 12, Jordan Geist; February 19, Cole Hocker; February 26, Cynthia McNamee; March 5, Chase Jackson; March 12, Lauren Harris.
We welcome your nominations!
To nominate an athlete for USATF Athlete of the Week, please send a detailed email about their performance to communications@usatf.org.
Join the conversation with USATF on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook using the hashtag #USATF.