Peterson and Mendez Win TC 10 Titles

Jon Peterson and his bike escort. Photo by Gene Niemi

Team USA's Jon Peterson defended his title in the Medtronic TC 10 Mile in 48:12 and Rogue Athletic Club's(Austin, TX) Allison Mendez won the women's title in 56:27.  Peterson took the lead at about two and a half miles after the second hill, he said, and kept rolling to the finish. The goal going in wasn't to run fast, Peterson added, just to win.  He still came within six seconds of his PR for the distance.

Allison Mendez on Summit Avenue. Photo by Gene Niemi

Mendez came to the race at the urging of her RAC teammate Scott MacPherson, who is running the marathon, and "the weather," she said.  Start time temps in the mid 30s with a minimal tail wind made for near perfect conditions, Mendez said.  She cruised to the win more than a minute in front of former Team USA Minnesota runner Katie McGregor, who finished second in 57:46.  Current Team USA "newbies," Emily Gordon(59:05) and Gina Valgoi(59:13) debuted in third and fourth, respectively.

Mendez is in her second year as a pro, still trains under her college coach Steve Sisson, who used to be the women's coach at the University of Texas.  She also works as a nanny to three boys aged 10, 8, and 5 and as a medical technician.  She plans to debut in the marathon at the US Olympic trials in LA in 2016 having qualified by running 1:13:47 at the Philadelphia Rock 'N Roll Half Marathon in 2013.