USATF Masters Indoor Track & Field Championships
The USATF Masters Indoor Track & Field Championships took place in Albuquerque, New Mexico, from March 4-6. On the track, Sonja Friend-Uhl won the 800m in 2:15.00 and finished second in the 400m (61.45) in the 40-44 age group. Lesley Chaplin placed first in the 800m (2:36.84) and second in the 400m (68.55) for the 55-59 age group.
Julia Curran-Villarreal and Shaaron Sellars each took home the gold in the high jump for their respective age groups. Curran-Villarreal cleared 1.35m to top the 55-59 category while Sellars’ 1.15m jump won first place for the 50-54 age group. Ed Hearn placed second in the 65-69 shot put (12.84m).
Chattahoochee Road Race 10K & 5K
The Chattahoochee Road Race 10K & 5K was held in Sandy Springs on Saturday, March 5. Atlanta Track Club Elite swept the top two spots for both the men and the women in the 5K.
Men’s 5K
1st Place – Blake Jorgensen (15:54)
2nd Place – Ken Youngers (16:35)
5th Overall, 1st Masters/Grandmasters – Ken Youngers (17:17)
Women’s 5K
1st Place – Janel Blancett (18:02)
2nd Place – Megan Hunter (18:07)
Additionally, Laurie Wharton and Margaret Taylor won their age groups with times of 20:42 and 22:45, respectively. In the 10K, Sara Morrison won the 25-29 age group with a finish time of 40:32.
Snickers Half Marathon
The Snickers Marathon and Half Marathon was held on March 5 in Albany, Georgia. Several Atlanta Track Club Elite team members traveled for the event with two earning new personal bests.
4th Place Overall/1st Place Masters – Peter Kotchen (1:19:37 – PR)
5th Place Overall Female/1st Place Masters – Tracey Ashall (1:31:24 – PR)
3rd Place Masters/1st Place 55-59 – Mike Anderson (1:25:18)
4th Place Masters/1st Place 50-54 – Mark Graves (1:25:31)
4th Place Masters Female/3rd Place 50-54 – Michelle Morrisey (1:40:46)
New Orleans Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon
The New Orleans Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon took place on February 28. Allie Moore finished third overall in a time of 1:19:35. Morgan VanGorder placed fourth overall in 1:20:26. Coming in seventh overall was Jill Arnold with a finish of 1:21:55.
Charles Harris 10K
The Charles Harris 10K was held in Tucker on February 27. A large group of Atlanta Track Club Elite athletes competed in the event with the team winning the men’s race and sweeping the top three spots on the women’s side.
John Michael Minen won the race in 33:08.48. Lacey Krout placed first for the women in 36:48.80, which Janel Blancett (36:54.05) and Holly Ortlund (37:20.55) rounding out the top three.
Other noteable finishes include:
Imra Betancourt was the first women’s masters finisher in 39:44:21.
Charlotte Collins placed second in the 20-24 age group (42:27.79)
Evan Beauchamp came in fourth overall and won the 25-29 age group in 34:43.80.
Victor Breedveld won the 40-44 age group in 35:11.31.
Kathy Wigand won the 40-44 age group in 41:04.46.
Valentin Alvarez won the 45-49 age group in 35:07.66.
Doug McLaughlin placed third in the 45-49 age group (36:44.58).
Bettina Davies won the 45-49 age group in 41:37.26.
Eileen Torres finished third in the 45-49 age group (44:29.46).
Jeff Haertel won the 50-54 age group in 36:22.80.
Rob Blaszkiewicz finished second in the 50-54 age group (37:41.36).
Mark Graves came in third for the 50-54 age group (38:02.66).
Michelle Morrisey won the 50-54 age group in 45:06.54.
Ken Youngers won the 55-59 age group in 36:04.64.
Michael Anderson placed second in the 55-59 age group (38:08.32).
Nancy Stewart won the 55-59 age group in 41:58.78.
Cindy Williams placed second in the 55-59 age group (47:48.11).
Kirk Larson won the 60-64 age group in 41:34.76.
Vasan Neovakul placed third in the 60-64 (46:15.51).
Margaret Taylor won the 60-69 age group in 48:03.08.
Kathy Allen came in third for the 60-69 age group (53:51.01).
Charlie Patterson won the 70+age group in 50:08.26.
Phoenix Marathon
The Phoenix Marathon was held on February 27. Lauren Duisberg placed 10th overall and third in the 30-34 age group with a finish time of 3:05:30.
USATF Southeast Regional Masters Indoor Championships
The USATF Southeast Regional Masters Indoor Championships were held in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, on February 21. The following turned in gold medal performances:
David Cannon – M50-54 800m (2:18.79); High Jump (0.93m)
Joe Carter – M70-74 800m (2:54.94); 3000m (13:19.51)
Lesley Chaplin – W55-59 200m (31.61); 400m (1:09.89); 800m (2:36.02)
Clovis Clark – W60-64 (7.97m); Weight Throw (9.18m)
Jose De La Pava – M35-39 Mile (5:17.82)
Jeff Dundas, Sr. – M55-59 Mile (5:15.05); 3000m (10:24.68)
Jamar Glenn – M35-39 200m (23.69)
Ed Hearn – M65-69 Shot Put (12.67m)
Diana Hinton - W55-59 Mile (7:46.87)
Linda Lowery – W60-64 Triple Jump (7.46m)
Maurice Lowery, Jr. – 60m Hurdles (9.36)
Alan Moore – M70-74 Mile Race Walk (10:19.56); 3000m Race Walk (19:52.30)
Trenice Mullis Dubow – W60-64 Mile (7:58.47)
Catherin Radle – W70-74 Pole Vault (1.55m)
Carol Rhodes – W65-69 400m (1:55.32); Long Jump (1.67m)
Regina Richardson – W50-54 Triple Jump (8.91m); 60m Hurdles (11.01); Long Jump (4.11m)
James Sauers – M65-69 High Jump (1.43m)
Michael Scholtz – M50-54 3000m (9:52.49)
Ahmad Shabazz – M70-74 Pole Vault (1.85m)
Loretta Woodward – W60-64 60m Dash (9.67); 200m (33.24)
About Atlanta Track Club
Atlanta Track Club is a nonprofit committed to creating an active and healthy Atlanta. Through running and walking, Atlanta Track Club motivates, inspires and engages the community to enjoy a healthier lifestyle. With more than 24,000 members, Atlanta Track Club is the second largest running organization in the United States. In addition to the AJC Peachtree Road Race (peachtreeroadrace.org) – the largest 10K running event in the world, the Publix Georgia Marathon, Atlanta 10 Miler and Thanksgiving Day Half Marathon, Atlanta Track Club directs more than 30 events per year. Through the support of its members and volunteers, Atlanta Track Club also maintains a number of community initiatives including organizing and promoting the Kilometer Kids youth running program to metro Atlanta youth, honoring high school cross country and track and field athletes through Atlanta Track Club’s All-Metro Banquets and supporting the Grady Bicycle EMT program. For more information on Atlanta Track Club, visit atlantatrackclub.org.
About Atlanta Track Club Elite
Atlanta Track Club Elite is comprised of the Club’s top athletes who train together and represent the Club at local, regional and national races. The team aims to help athletes realize their goals while promoting competitive distance running, track and field and the mission of Atlanta Track Club. For more information on Atlanta Track Club Elite, visit atlantatrackclub.org.