The PAUSATF Grand Prix Cross Country series resumes Saturday in Golden Gate Park with the third of nine events, the Golden Gate Open. This event is traditionally the most competitive in the series, with the exception of the championships, which is run on the same course. Saturday's races will each be 4 miles, or two laps on the course. The championships, in November, will feature the same race for the women, with the men adding another lap to create a 6 mile course.
Jim Sorensen leading the Golden Gate Cross Country Master's race from 2007
The race begins at Lindley Meadow, near 30th Avenue and JFK Drive. The entry fee is $20, and to score in the PAUSATF standings or be eligible for the $1500 in prize money, participants must be registered with the PAUSATF. The women's race begins at 9:00am, the master's men race at 9:45 and the open men at 10:30. Nearly 300 runners participated in last year's events, but given the higher turn-out seen at each of the first two events this year, this event may easily see 400 competitors.
Transport Adidas and the Impalas attempt to maintain their team lead in the standings for the open men and women's divisions, respectively. Among the master's teams, the men's division has a three way tie between West Valley Joggers and Striders, Tamalpa and the Asics Aggies. For the women's masters, the West Valley Joggers and Striders hold a slight lead over the Impalas.
Top men in the standings are Jonathan Charlesworth and Cheyne Inman for the open division, Chris Schille and Jeff Hongo for the masters, Tom O'Reilly for seniors, Bill Dunn for super-seniors and Carl Petersen for veterans. The top women include Jennifer Derego and Kierann Smith in the open division, Christine Kennedy and Mimi Williard for masters, Christine Kennedy also leads the senior women, Jo Anne Rowland for super-seniors and Katie Martin for veterans.
For more information about the race, contact Tim Wason
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