The Atlanta Track Club did everything they could to enhance the national masters championship experience, but they could not control the weather! It felt worst during the 15 minute wait, in the rain and wind, for the race to start. The uncharacteristic weather seemed daunting. Once the horn sounded, limbs got moving and minds focused. Despite the presence of several American Record holders, this was not a day for records, this was a day for racing! Times would generally be over a minute slower than usual for these Masters super runners.
OVERALL Jonathan Charlesworth made the trip from the San Francisco Bay area worthwhile, pounding though the puddles to claim the overall Men’s win in 16:15. He was followed by Richard Boukaert, of New Orleans, in 16:33, and Ohio’s John Fernandez, in 17:08. Jill Braley, Atlanta’s hometown favorite, delivered the goods, with a sterling 18:48 to capture the Women’s gold medal. Thirteen seconds later, Colorado’s Michele Yates followed in second at 19:01. Angela Giuliani, from Texas, finished third in 19:09.
AGE GRADING The age grade performance level percentage PCP identifies the athletes with the best performance, adjusted for age. Fiona Bayly 58 19:22, did New York City proud by topping the Women’s list with a 91.82 PLP. New Jersey’s Nora Cray 70 ran 22:59 for a 90.94. Another Atlantan, Patrice Combs 68 earned the bronze medal with an 89.57 PLP off a 22:41 effort. Nebraska’s Lynn Rathjen 80 set the M80 American 1500 Meter Record this summer with a 5:44.41. He showed he can power through 5000 meters of wind and rain; his 22:23 topped the age grading chart at 92.48. Alabama’s John Glidewell 68 a two-time age grading winner here, finished second; his 18:43 yielded a 91.10 PLP. Nat Larson 63, now fully recovered after rehab from a winter skiing injury was third; his 17:56 earned a 90.89 PLP.
AGE DIVISION From the Overall podium, Charlesworth and Fernandez won M40 and M55, respectively. From Age-Grading, Rathjen, Glidewell, and Larson won M80, M65, and M60 respectively. Other national 5K champions included: M45 Nathan Deeter 17:34 M50 George Darden 17:27 M70 Rick Becker 20:48 M75 Don Morrison 23:22 M85 David Turner 31:24. Braley and Yates won W45 and W40 respectively. Age grading aces, Bayly, Cary, and Combs, won W55, W70, and W65 respectively. Other national champions included: W50 Lorilyn Bloomer 19:13 W60 Hronn Gudmundsdottir 21:21 W75 Norma Hudnall 28:41 W80 Myrna Barnett 36:00 W85 Barbara Belanger 40:30.
TEAMS The Atlanta Track Club entered a strong Masters contingent to defend the home roads. Atlanta won all but three of the Team Division contests. They enjoyed wins in W40+ (average time of 19:51); W60+ (average 22:54), W70+ (average 30:15), and W80+ (average 43:38); M40+ (average 17:45), M50+ (average 17:39), and M60+ (average 19:04). It was a really close call in M60+ as Atlanta defeated the Twin Cities Running Company by an average of just two seconds per runner!
W50+ went to Georgia’s Sirius Athletic Club (average 21:52), M70+ and M80+ went to New Jersey’s Shore Athletic Club (average 21:15 for 70+ and 30:42 for 80+).
Next up for the Masters LDR Grand Prix is the USATF Masters 5 Km Cross Country Championships on November 1st in San Francisco.
Submitted by Paul Carlin Photo: Pam Fales