Andrew Carlson Wins Gate River Run: McGregor Second and Zemba Fourth in Women's Race

Team USA Minnesota's Andrew Carlson won big at the Gate River Run 15K in Jacksonville, Florida on Saturday. On a windy day with temperatures in the 60s, Carlson set a new personal best by over a minute, winning the men's race by nine seconds over runner-up Dan Browne with a time of 44:12. Carlson earned $12,000 first place money, plus another $5,000 Equalizer bonus for being first across the finish line. The Gate River Run starts the women's field five minutes before the men(based on the difference between the men's and women's US records for the distance), creating a handicap race format where the men and women compete for the Equalizer prize that goes to the first runner to reach the finish line.

Carlson caught Olympic bronze medalist in the women's marathon, Deena Kastor, as the pair was going over the Hart Bridge near the end of the race. Kastor won the women's race in 49:36. Team USA Minnesota's Katie McGregor was second in 50:53. Teammate Mandi Zemba was fourth in 52:33. Minnesota native Turena Johnson Lane finished seventh in 52:38 as the third through seventh place finishers in the women's divison were separated by a mere five seconds. Former Team USA Minnesota runners Annie Bersagel(52:43) and Dana Coons(53:13) were eighth and eleventh, respectively. Team USA Minnesota's Matt Gabrielson was 11th in the men's race in 45:46.

"I went to the front of the pack at two meters and was pretty much up front the entire time," said Carlson. "I'm from North Dakota so I'm used to wind, but you never run as fast when you're running into the wind. It felt like it was just beating on me the whole time. I shared the front with Fasil (Bizuneh who finished fourth) and Reid (Coolsaet who was third)and there was a pack running right behind us.

"When Dan Browne made his move with a little over a mile to go I decided to go with him because he's been winning races like that for years. I rallied and caught him on the bridge (and put ten meters on Browne. It's a matter of whoever can get up there on the bridge the fastest. That's when I saw Deena running across the bridge with the wind blowing all around, and she was trying to keep her hat on. When I went by her, she gave me a thumbs up.

"It was a weird feeling on that bridge. I felt like I was going to get blown off. Then I went into the tunnel toward the finish line and it opened up into a football stadium. There were all these people in the stands cheering. It was a great way to finish. Then I waited for Deena to finish and gave her a hug. You never think you are going to get a chance to duel with an Olympic bronze medalist so that was an interesting race (with the Equalizer format).

"Overall, I felt strong the entire way. The days where you have your good days are the days it seems easy. I have been second, third, fourth, you name it in national championships of various distances, so it feels great to finally get the win."

Carlson is on a roll in 2008, with the Gate Run being his second victory and personal best on the roads this year. On New Year's Eve, Carlson won the Emerald Nuts 8K in Central Park. The race was designated as the USATF 15K championship for 2008 giving Carlson a national championship in addition to the prize money.