In a remarkable coincidence (or is it?), all three races of the PAUSATF Cross Country Championships were won by residents of San Luis Obispo or alumni of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Linda Somers Smith, of the Asics Aggies, won the women's race, Jim Sorenson, running unattached, won the masters men's race, and Philip Reid, another Aggie, won the open men's race. Smith and Reid still reside in San Luis Obispo County, at the southern-most tip of the Pacific Association of the USATF. Sorenson lives in San Leandro.
Alysia Johnson (left) and Shannon Rowbury watching the PAUSATF Cross Country Championships, November 22, 2009 (photo by Carolynne Juarez).
An unexpected pair of high-profile observers were in attendance, a fact that may have gone unnoticed by many. Beijing Olympian, and World Championships bronze medalist in the women's 1500 meters, Shannon Rowbury, and Alysia Johnson, an 800 meter standout at UC Berkeley and competitor in the 2008 Olympic Trials, were both on the scene performing base training while watching the races.
For these championsips, the women run a 4.06 mile, two-lap course, the men run three laps for 6.09 miles. Each lap contains two major grass sections that were slippery with mud, making conditions slower than some years. At least one runner was witnessed taking a nasty tumble on a dirt trail section of the course: the potential peril of cross country running. Weather conditions were ideal, with slight mist for the early races and brief glimpses of sun for the open men's race. A final attendance total is not available, but it is expected that more than 500 runners competed, potentially a large increase over previous years.
Smith held off a determined teammate, last year's winner, Kara June, in winning the women's race in 22:47. June finished in 23:02 for second place. Danielle Domenichelli was third in 23:14. Rachel Booth (Brooks Peninsula), winner of the most recent race, and Smith's closest competition before today, took fourth in 23:35. Clara Peterson, who hadn't run since winning at Empire at the second race of the season, was fifth.
Sorenson, winner of this race two years ago, and American record holder for the men's master mile, took the lead on the second lap and never looked back, winning by 35 seconds over Chris Schille (Aggies), who is the current leader, and apparent champion, in the masters men's standings. Schille had won five of the eight regular season cross country races for masters men this season. Sorenson had not competed in any of these earlier races this season. His winning time this year was more than a minute slower than 2007's, possibly due to the muddy, slower conditions of the course.
In the open men's race, Thomas Kloos, of Transport Adidas, took an early lead of up to 75 meters over a following pack of several runners. Kloos was winner of two regular season open men's races. By mid-way through the third lap, Reid, winner of three regular season races, had run down Kloos and pulled away to take an eight second victory in 30:23. Kloos would become the runner-up for the second straight year, finishing in 30:31, while Reid improved on his third place finish from last season. Crosby Freeman, of the Aggies, was third in 30:36.
Checking race results at the PAUSATF Cross Country Championships, November 22, 2009 (photo by Carolynne Juarez).
Most of the local athletes will now enjoy recovery time, as fighting through the seasonal flus and dealing with injuries incurred over the year of training and racing can find many runners getting to these championships barely able to compete. For others, the season still holds at least one more challenge, with the USATF National Club Cross Country Championships proceeding in less than three weeks. This year, the National Club Cross Country Championships will be staged in Lexington, Kentucky, on December 12th. For those with a longer view towards a national championships, the USA National Cross Country Championships will be held in Spokane, Washington, February 13, 2010.
The 2010 USATF National Club Cross Country Championships have not yet been granted. The Asics Aggies have presented an application bid for the event, and if granted, the course for today's championships will likely be the site of next year's National Club XC Championships.
The 2010 PAUSATF Cross Country Grand Prix will begin in the final weeks of August. Next year may provide the highest attendance and level of competition in this popular racing series. Schedule it into your running calendar.
Comments
The person that took the nasty tumble was Eddie Reyna of the WVJS 70+ runners. He completed the race after having a large bandage put on his arm by the medic. He was checked out at El Camino hospital and will be OK.
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