Weekend results from the roads and trails and cross country courses:
ROADS
— In the glitzy 5th Avenue Mile in New York City, Dark Sky Distance’s Susan Ejore, an Olympic 1,500-meter runner representing Kenya, battled it out with American Karissa Schweizer and Doris Ewoi down the stretch, but Schweizer pulkled away for the win in 4:15, followed by Ewoi in 4:17.3 and Ejore in 4:18.
Ejore was in the mix from the beginning hovered about fifth at the halfway mark. She ran the latter part on the far inside, away from Schweizer and Ewoi but couldn’t outkick wither. It was an impressive performance by Schweizer, who three days earlier ran a 5,000 meter Diamond League race in Zurich.
In the men’s race, Dark Sky’s Vince Ciattei, who also has raced in Europe this summer, was the top local finisher in fourth in 3:50.6, passing several runners in the final 100 meters. Part-time Flagstaffian Hobbs Kessler finished ninth, Dark Sky’s Kasey Knevelbaard 11th, Dark Sky’s Edwin Kurgat 16th, Dark Sky’s Neil Gourley 16th, Bryce Hoppel 18th and Dark Sky’s Matt Wilkinson 19th.
— At the Great North Run, a popular half marathon in England, NAZ Elite’s Nick Hauger placed ninth in 1:03:48, the second American behind Frank Lara (6th in 1:02:48). Hauger has been training exclusively in Europe in t3he spring and summer because his wife, Calli Hauger-Thackery, was training for the Olympic Marathon.
— At the Grand Prix meet in Brescia, Italy, NAZ Elite’s Katie Wasserman closed her season by finishing seventh in the 3,000 meters in 8:55.46, a season best. Kenya’s Beatrice Chebet, as expected, won in 8:34.10.
TRAILS
— Buck Blankenship, a 42-year-old Flagstaffian trail runner, had a breakthrough race at the Mogollon Monster 104 Mile Run, placing third in 23 hours 48 minutes 45 seconds. Killian Korth, of Colorado, was in the winner in 22:37:25. Blankenship, who had a disappointing 64th place finish last spring at the Black Canyon 100K, redeemed himself on Saturday and Sunday morning on a challenging course highlighted by monsoon rains. Back in 2019, Blankenship finished second at the Mogollon Monster.
Flagstaff’s Peter Kostelnick was the second Flagstaff finisher in 14th in 28:34:48, moving up 15 places in the second half of the race.
In the Mogollon 42K on Sunday, Flagstaff’s Lori Enlow finished second in 5:26:34, In the men’s race, Flagstaff’s Tyler Welch finished fifth in 4:35:28.
— At the Wasatch 100 Miler in Utah, Flagstaff’s Melissa Ostaszewski was the fifth woman in 29 hours 15 minutes 24 seconds.
— Results from the inaugural Elden Ridge Run 12.6 Miler on Saturday had not been posted as of Sunday afternoon.
PREPS
— At Saturday’s Happy Valley Invitational at Boulder Creek High, the Northland Prep boys finished 5th, with Delani Hanson cracking the top 10, placing ninth in 17:15. He was followed by Emilio Haubert in 24th, David Hayes 27th, Harrison Kessenich 36th and Miles Underwood 47th.
The NPA girls only fielded three runners. Sarah Drexler was the top Spartan finisher in 19th at 23:!7, sister Laura 41st and Savana Reyher 73rd.
COMMUNITY COLLEGE
— Coconino College’s cross country teams traveled to the Emery- Riddle Invitational in Prescott on Saturday. The men placed fourth, as host Emery-Riddle swept the first five spots. The Comets women also placed fourth, as Emery-Riddle dominated.
The top Coconino women’s finisher was Cian Davis, who placed ninth in 22:08 on the 5K course. The top Coconino man was Briley Dauphinais in 15th in 28:27 over the 8K course.
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