The USATF Masters 5km Cross Country Championships, held on October 22 in Boulder, Colorado, was the final meet of the 2022 USATF Masters Grand Prix Series for Atlanta Track Club Masters. Warm weather, an altitude of 5,620 feet, and rough terrain were challenges. However, Atlanta Track Club masters teams persevered and did their best to represent The Club well.
Racing this weekend dictated overall team and individual standings in the Grand Prix series. Representing The Club this past weekend were the men's and women's 60s and 70's teams. The women's 60's team placed 5th with a total team time of 1:24.44 (29:35 average). Robin Tanner led the way with a 65th place finish (28:00, 13th place age group), Cindy Williams was 67th (28:25, 5th place age group), and Margaret Taylor placed 84th (32:20, 11th age group).
The men's 60's team, despite missing runners, was able to finish seventh overall with a time of 1:19.29 (23:30 average). Leading the group was sixties newcomer, Lester Dragstedt, in 104th place (21:58, 12th age group), Scott Lucking in 123rd place (23:15, 10th place age group), and Neil Feather rounded out the team in 147th place (25:17, 20th age group).
The women's 70's+ team was one of the two Atlanta Track Club masters teams who made it to the podium. They placed third with a total team time of 1:59.49 (39:57 average). Kathy Allen led the team with an 89th place finish (35:59, 7th place age group), Andrea McCarter was next in 92nd place (41:05, 2nd age group), and Mary Reed completed the team in 95th place (42:46, 9th age group). Their third-place team finish placed them second in the Grand Prix overall team final standings.
The 70's+ men's team was the other age group that made the podium. They placed third with an average team time of 1:21.18 (27:06 average). Dave Glass led the team with a 132nd place finish (23:57, 1st place age group), Jerry Learned was next in 135th place (24:18, 5th place age group, Sam Benedict was the third man in 174th place (33:04, 10th place age group), and Andrew Sherwood dropped down in age group to run with the team finishing in 177th place (39:50, 3rd place in the 80's age group). This team's finish placed them 2nd in the Grand Prix final standings.
Final Grand Prix age group team standings:
Women 40's+ - A Team 4th place, B Team 17th place
Women 50's+ - A Team 5th place
Women 60's+ - A Team 4th place, B Team 13th place
Women 70's+ - A Team 2nd place, B Team 3rd place
Men 40's+ - A Team 13th place, B Team 20th place, C Team 22st place
Men 50's+ - A Team 3rd place, B Team 13th place, C Team 14th place
Men 60's+ - A Team 4th place, B Team 21th place, C Team 23rd place
Men 70's+ - A Team 2nd place, B Team 7th place
Men 80's+ - A Team 1st place
Next up on the calendar to kick off the 2023 racing season is the USATF National Club Cross Country Championships on December 10 in San Francisco.
- Article was written by a Masters Member