Linda Somers Smith wins the women's PAUSATF Cross Country Championships and Standings

Winner of four regular season meets in the PAUSATF Cross Country Grand Prix series, Linda Somers Smith of the Asics Aggies, added the Championships and 2009 Standings title to her victories. By the mile mark Smith had surged to a 75 yard lead and maintained it throughout, touring the 4.06 mile course in 22:47. Her closest competition came from fellow Aggie, Kara June, but June was never able to close the gap and finished 15 seconds back in 23:02. June had won the race last year, placed third in 2007 and fourth in 2006. With the second place finish she has placed in the top four places for four consecutive years.

PAUSATF Women's Cross Country Champion, Linda Somers Smith shown leading, November 22, 2009 (photo by Carolynne Juarez).

By winning the race Smith becomes both the overall women's champion and the women's masters champion. Her strongest competition for a dual standings victory came from masters competitor Valerie Young (Tamalpa). Smith managed only five scores of a possible six towards each standings, but the competition in the open women's standings divided the top scores among themselves, allowing Smith to take the overall standings. However, Young gained enough points with six scores in the master's standings to hold off Smith for the victory. Smith will take second in the master's standings.

Danielle Domenichelli, of UCSB, was third in the women's championship race, in a time of 23:14. Rachel Booth, of Brooks Peninsula Distance Runners, was fourth in 23:35 while Clara Peterson was fifth in 23:38.

In the master's race, Smith was the individual winner, with Young second and Tania Fischer of Jane's Elite RT third. Carmen Ayala-Troncoso, appearing locally to race in the Synaptics/Seagate Elite 5K race on Thanksgiving, won the senior women's division, followed by Sarah Tabbutt and Dianne Fitzpatrick. Linda Gill (Tamalpa) enjoyed her first race as a super-senior, taking the championship. JoAnne Rowland of the Impalas was second and fellow Impala, Irene Herman, was third. Katie Martin of Tamalpa won the women's veteran championship.

Women's overall top finishers

Women's top master finishers

Women's top senior finishers

Women's top super-senior finishers

Women's top veteran finishers

PA results, team scores and final standings will be covered in follow-up articles, so check back for updates.