Esther (Erb) Atkins' Memories of the Olympic Marathon Trials

Esther (Erb) Atkins was the women's champion in the 2014 Medtronic TC Marathon.  After the Olympic Trials Marathon last weekend, she wrote about her experience at the Trials HERE.
Esther finished 11th in 2:37:56
Women's official results HERE.  Men HERE.

.Chelenga/Pennel Dual at US National 12K Championships

.US National 12K Championships almost a carbon copy of Medtronic TC 10-Mile.  Molly Huddle runs away with women's title.  Sam Chelenga outkicks Tyler Pennel for the men's.

Emma Bates finishes 10th in women's race.  Team USA's Meghan Peyton 22nd.  Jon Grey 9th in men's race.

Unofficial #dotUS2015 elite results! pic.twitter.com/jXdOXQM3rT

— .US National 12K (@dotUSnatl12K) November 15, 2015

Here's how close that @dotUSnatl12K men's finish between @SamChelanga & @TylerPennel was! #dotUS2015 pic.twitter.com/riLOXGaW7K

— USATF (@usatf) November 15, 2015

Pittsburgh 10-Mile Top 15

Top  men's and women for the Pittsburgh 10-Mile HERE
Team USA Minnesota's Emily Gordon and Biya Simbassa finish 10th.  Josh Dedering 15th in 52:31

Welcome to Brother USATF's Travelling Show...

Last Sunday's men's race of the Medtronic TC 10 Mile had a little bit  of everything. It had the deepest, most competitive elite field of the TC Marathon weekend.   Wearing numer 20001 was an Olympian hoping to use the race as a part of his preparation for making his third US Olympic team, Michigan native Dathan Ritzenhein.

The TC 10 Mile course recordholder Abdi Abdiraham was given #2000.  Number 2003 was worn by Jared Ward, the 2015 US Marathon and 25K champion who is also a Griak Initational Gold race champion when he ran for BYU. He's also the current leader of the USATF Running Circuit otherwise known to this current crop of elites as "Brother USATF's Traveling Salvation Show."

At the end of each race when the runners are leaving to catch their planes, said Sam Chelanga: "We say: 'See you next week.'"  They've each chosen the USATF Circuit to work on their perparation for the Olympic Marathon Trials.

Newly minted US citizen Chelanga, the 2015 USATF XC Champion, two time NCAA XC champ, NCAA 10K recordholder who had post collegiate setbacks with stress ffractures in both 2013 and 2014.  Now training under Bernard Lagat's coach James Li, Chelenga has been healthy and said after the race that he was not planning on running track.  His goal in 2016 was the US Olympic Trials in the marathon. To get ready for the marathon Chelenga took to the roads.

At almost every USATF Running Circuit event he encountered some of the Traveling Show members.  Dean of the squad for the Fall being Tyler Pennel. Pennel ran every circuit race  from the USATF 10K Champs at the Peachtree Road race in Atlanta on July 4 to the New Haven 20K on September 7, and the CVS in Providence, RI on September 20.

As the the 2014 Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon champion, Pennel was hoping to add another Twin Cities race title to his resume in last Sunday.  He'd spent most of 2014 racing a sub four minute mile on the track and a summer track season.  That transitioned  to the 10K, 20K, and 5K US Road Champs events leading up to the TC 10.  The top six from the race in the New Haven 20K were entered in the TC 10. Six out of the top seven made it to the starting line, as Luke Puskedra passed to compete in today's Bank of America Chicago Marathon, where he was first American in fifth place in a PR of 2:10:24.

The New Haven Six were left to battle each other for the top spots at Twin Cities. Battle they did. The lead pack of a dozen or so going through halfway in 23:47, thinning out to four men left with a mile to go.

Lead pack crests last hill at 9m in #tcm10 mile - @SamChelanga @TylerPennel Jim Spisak @djritzenhein - @tcmarathon pic.twitter.com/CeCGlzbD0e

— Scott A. Schneider (@sasphoto) October 9, 2015

Ritzenhein made a move with about two miles to go,  but it didn't break up the pack.  Pennel, who is confident of his prowess on hills took off near nine miles where the last "uphill" is.  It's just a slight incline, but Pennel put the hammer down and the race for first was on.  The top three gapped Spisak, the tallest of the four, who was the first to be unable to hold Pennel's surge.  Next to drop back was Ritzenhein.

Laying on the massage table after the race, Ritz was smiling, but said he had hoped to be in the mix when the race entered the final downhill drop at the St. Paul Cathedral, but he wasn't able to match Pennel and Chelanga as the foursome turned past Ramsey Hill and headed for the finish. Pennel said the move in the last mile had been what he planned, and it seemed to be working, if only he could shake Chelanga, get a piece of daylight between he and Sam before the big drop.

The drop came and so did Chelanga.  Sam was hanging on, hoping that Pennel had spent his energy too early, but the closer the finish came the more he knew he had to put on a spurt of his own to come away with a win.  Pennel tied up slightly. Chelanga gave one last spurt to win by one second.  Ritz finished five seconds bak of Pennel.

All three will probably meet at least one more time in the USATF final event, the USATF 12K Championships in Alexandria, VA on November 15.  Then they'll take a break before going into the final training cycle leading up to the February Olympic trials in LA.  Ritzenhein says he'll be going South where the weather is warm instead of heading to altitude.  The weather in LA is likely to be warm, he said.  So, it's more important to be acclimated to the heat than any boost altitude training might provide.

If the trio can duplicate their top three finish for the TC Ten at the Trials, they'll be overjoyed. All three still have the track Trials 10K to fall back on as Ritz did in 2012 when he finished fourth in the marathon trials in Houston.  He'd rather book his spot on the first try this time.

Peachtree 10K, World's Largest 10K, Hosts International Team Championships

It's not a new idea, Bolder Boulder 10K pioneered the concept years ago, this time the Atlanta Track Club has picked up the idea and this year's team  race will be for the Peachtree Cup HERE  Medtronic Twin Cities Marthon 2014 champ Tyler Pennel is the men's captain and Shalane Flanagan the women's.  The race will be streamed on USATF TV, Atlanta local TV and NBC.  Coverage details are HERE.

Story on ATC's ambitious agenda is HERE.

Hassan Mead Books a Ticket to Beijing

It's not a rags to riches story, but Hassan Mead has overcome a lot.  It wasn't that long ago when he'd gone through a season lost via an Achilles injury. Then a collapsed lung.  The long road back.  On Thursday night in Eugene Mead booked a ticket to Beijing.  The World Championships.  The Big Show.

Though he doesn't show much emotion, the joy in his accomplishment is reflected on the faces and the words of his teammates, coaches, fans, friends.
10K results are HERE.

@GopherMCCTF @GopherSports CONGRATS to Hassan Mead for making the USA World Track and Field Team. #Gophers pic.twitter.com/Mzr1AKUqET

— Paul Thornton (@Paul_Thornton) June 26, 2015

Yep. @HassyHass35 is the man, but you guys already knew that. Nobody deserves it more. #USATFoutdoors 🇺🇸

— Goaner Deng (@GoanDaddy468) June 26, 2015

S/O to @HassyHass35 on punching his ticket to world's w/ a 3rd place finish in the 10k at @usatf outdoor nats!

— USATF Minnesota (@USATFMN) June 26, 2015

Goldy is spinning his head right now!! https://t.co/yDowyZ1klJ

— Kurt Decker (@mntrailrunner) June 26, 2015

So proud of you bro! All the Hard works finally paid off! @HassyHass35 BIG BRO IS GOING TO BEIJING!

— Harun Abda (@Ha_RunAbda) June 26, 2015

I'm so proud of @HassyHass35. In my eyes you were 2nd overall. #USA #USA #USA #Warya #Warya

— ✊ (@_Dr_Juice) June 26, 2015

He's going to Beijing! @HassyHass35 finishes third and makes the 10k team! #RowKnows

— OTC Elite (@OregonTCElite) June 26, 2015

HUGE, HUGE shout out to my dude @HassyHass35. Wow!!!!!

— OBSA ALI (@obsali17) June 26, 2015

🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🎉🎉🎉@HassyHass35 !!!! https://t.co/YBrU7P39un

— gabriele grunewald (@gg_runs) June 26, 2015

#USATFoutdoors: Hassan Mead (@HassyHass35) Punches Ticket to Beijing | Recap: http://t.co/xwow0BHLDg | #Gophers pic.twitter.com/IDKzBqSBFB

— Minnesota M CC/TF (@GopherMCCTF) June 26, 2015

Congrats to @HassyHass35 on making his first US Team! #RowKnows #USATFoutdoors #sofast pic.twitter.com/Vt57Q15BES

— OTC Elite (@OregonTCElite) June 26, 2015

I'm so excited for @HassyHass35 making the USA World Team in the 10k. Great to see hard work pay off for a great guy.

— Jamie Cheever (@JamieCheever) June 26, 2015

#tbt on the start line with @HassyHass35 in 2006...nine years later and he's headed to the World Championships! pic.twitter.com/gTHuDxJIJA

— John Davis (@JDruns) June 26, 2015

Appreciate the love fam..USA 🇺🇸🇺🇸 https://t.co/VEz07oC6Zv

— Hassan mead (@HassyHass35) June 26, 2015

Sabin 11th in USATF Juniors Discus; Bates 11th, Peyton in 10K; Cheever Advances to Steeple Final; Pennel 11th, Grey 14th in 10K

Gopher's Kiley Sabin 11th in Junior women's discus with a throw of 150'5"(85.45m). Result is HERE.

Emma Bates 11th in women's 10K, Meghan Peyton 16th.  result HERE.

Jamie Cheever 13th, Maddie Van Beek 16th in steeple prelims. Result HERE.

Tyler Pennel 11th, Jonathan Grey 14th in 10K. Result HERE.

Will Leer 27th in 1500 prelims. Result HERE.

16th last night in the USA 10k. It was a good race effort (times were out the window as it was 93 degrees).... http://t.co/2ET82bKy31

— Meghan A. Peyton (@nutMEGrunner) June 26, 2015

Heath 2nd(1500), Pennel 3rd(5K), Peterson 10th, Sathre 26th, Docherty 34th, Jacobs 12th at Portland Track Festival

Garrett Heath finished second in the 1500 at the Portland Track Festival Sunday night in 3:34.13(His PR is 3:34.12). Result HERE.

fueled by the roar // #pdxtrack pic.twitter.com/t6ZeOsoX1c

— Mitch Kastoff (@mtchkstff) June 16, 2015

2014 Medtronic TC Marathon champion was third in the 5K in 13:32.06. Jon Peterson was tenth in 13:50.39.  Ben Sathre 26th in 14:21.36, and Danny Docherty was thirty-fourth in 14:38.56.  Result is HERE.

Another PR in ten days! Finally broke that 13:40 barrier! 3rd in 13:32 @PortlandTrack. @ZAPFitness #PDXTRack

— Tyler Pennel (@TylerPennel) June 15, 2015

Run 'N Fun's Ben Jacobs finished 12th in the 10K in 31:34.56. Result is HERE.

Tyler Pennel's Sub 4 Prep

2014 Medtronic TC Marathon winner Tyler Pennel blogs about his prep for running a Sub 4-Minute Mile HERE.

Tyler Pennel Writes About Running Sub 4

2014 Medtronic TCM champ Tyler Pennel writes about Festival of Miles and his Sub 4 HERE

Another HS Sub-4; Christy Cazzola Runs 2:04.53 800

3:59.38!!!!! HE DID IT! @Phresh_Fish pic.twitter.com/q4VwdptTN9

— FloTrack (@FloTrack) June 5, 2015

Michigan High Schooler Grant Fisher goes sub-4.  Perhaps more impressive he finishes third in the race, right behind Medtronic TC Marathon champ Tyler Pennel and 2014 Fitfh Avenue Mile champ Jordan McNamara.  Gopher grad Travis Burkstrand finished fifth in 4:01.12

Christy Cazzola finishes 8th in the 800 in 2:04.53

Live Results: Phil Esten Challenge; Brian Clay Invite; Sioux City Relays; Kansas Relays; Mt SAC

Live results for the Phil Esten Challenge are HERE.

Live results for the Brian Clay Invitational are HERE.

Sioux City Relays Friday results are HERE.

Live results for Friday's events at the Kansas Relays HERE.

Live results for Mt. SAC are HERE

.@masonferlic's new PR of 8:36.82 would rank third in the nation, pending results from the rest of the country. #GoBlue
— Michigan Track&Field (@umichtrack) April 18, 2015

@Jonpeterson89 5th at the bell in his season opening 1500 finishes eighth in 3:44.90. pic.twitter.com/11AcuP8rg9
— Dennis Barker (@dbinsaintpaul) April 18, 2015

 1500 results HERE.
MSU Mankato men's summary is HERE.

Erin Teschuk's steeplechase time last night was the 2nd-fastest in Canadian history. 🇨🇦 👏🏼 🇨🇦 👏🏼 🇨🇦 pic.twitter.com/osZG4zdkNr

— NDSU Track & Field (@NDSUTrackField) April 18, 2015

Jen Agnew runs a lifetime best in the women's 3000 meter steeplechase in 9:59.42 tonight in the… https://t.co/T8Ck3mNcqT
— Bruno's Pizza (@Bruno910e) April 18, 2015

3000m steeple results are HERE and HERE.

Medtronic TC Marathon champ Tyler Pennel eighth in 5K invitational A race.  Results HERE.

Ben Sathre second in 5K Open race in 13:54.71  Results HERE.

News; Erin Teschuk; Anna French; Connor Olson; Kaila Urick; Tyler Pennel/John Simons

Flotrack post Stanford 1500 win interview with NDSU's Erin Teschuk HERE.

Sun Sailor feature on Anna French is HERE.

Online HS sports magazine Sports Sprout interview with Connor Olson is HERE, pages 142 to 147.

Gopher SID feature on Kaila Urick HERE.

2014 TCM champ Tyler Pennel on training and the Raleigh Relays with photo of Pennel and Gopher grad John Simons, both running for ZAP Fitness,  on the homestretch in the 1500 HERE. Pennel finished third, Simons fourth.  Results are HERE.

News: Wisconsin Coaches Sweep DIII Awards; USATF Championships Qualfying Standards

Wisconsin coaches swept the USTFCCCA NCAA DIII Indoor Track Coach of the Year awards HERE.

USATF Outdoor Championship qualifying standards are HERE.

Emily Gordon on her Gate River Run 15K experience HERE.

Medtronic TCM 2014 champion Tyler Pennel's blog on training and racing HERE.

Rankings: T & F News Rankings: Barbora Špotáková; RT Top Marathon Races and Individuals

Gopher grad  ranked seventh in the world by Track & Field News HERE.

Running Times list of top marathoners and Most Competitive Marathons(World and US) HERE Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon and Grandma's both ranked  among top seven in the US.  Annie Bersagel(2013) and other recent TCM champions Esther Erb(2014), Nick Arciniaga(2013), Fernando Cabada(2008), and Tyler Pennel(2014) among the top ten US marathoners.

News: Mankato Marathon; Blankenship; Pennel;

Mankato Marathon weekend results for 10K, half marathon, and marathon are HERE.  5K results are HERE.

Ben Blankenship to run in the Kansas Road Mile on November 9, 2014 HERE.

Oregon Track Club member @benfblankenship has confirmed running the new @KansasRoadMile event! Ben has a road mile PR of 3:52.7! @themile
— GoRun Wichita (@GoRunWichita) October 19, 2014

Interview with Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon 2014 men's champion Tyler Pennel HERE