Local clubs host and compete at the USATF Masters Cross Country National Championship
By Chris McDonald and Marcey J. Cote
Boulder, CO, October 22, 2022 — Packed with cheering running enthusiasts, and full of hundreds of running competitors, the cross-country course at Harlow Platts Park was an exciting scene for all. The blue flags lining the grass course were used more to guide fans on where to stand than athletes on where to run. More than 300 men and women from across the U.S. charged the challenging 5k race amidst striking fall colors, and under Colorado bluebird skies.
It didn’t matter which of the local running clubs’ insignia adorned your race singlet. “‘Go Boulder!’ was heard everywhere,” remarked Thomas French, a member of the Boulder Road Runners Men’s 40-49 team.
In fact, the whole State of Colorado turned out to support USA Track and Field’s Masters National Championship. Clubs from Fort Collins to Colorado Springs joined multiple Boulder-area teams to put on a celebration worthy of Boulder’s running reputation.
“This event was all about the athletes,” Race Director Lee Troop stated passionately. “Every dollar we raised from the event was invested back into the athletes to deliver the best possible experience.”
With post-race festivities including gourmet sandwiches, a beer garden stocked by Avery Brewing, and multiple generations of local Olympians handing out awards, Boulder put its best foot forward.
“I got a selfie with Joe Klecker. That made my trip,” commented one of the top masters runners in the world who was visiting from the Bay Area.
At the center of the event is a partnership between two local clubs: Team Boulder founded by Lee Troop, and Boulder Road Runners, the community’s longest-tenured club in the community, dating to its founding by the life-long, do-it-all, running guru Rich Castro in 1979.
“Sixty-four Boulder Road Runners raced for our Club today,” said Chris McDonald, the first-year president of Boulder Road Runners. “And even more volunteers from every club in Boulder came together today to make this event successful. That’s what we are most proud of.”
“Half of our members still love to race and come to the Club to do so. But overall, our members are very mission-driven. We are a resource for the entire running community – from youths to masters to elites, to CU’s running programs, and to local races. We are very excited about the running movement, and committed to seeing it thrive in Boulder, and across Colorado,” continued McDonald.
On the racing side, Boulder Road Runners also stood tall, with teams making the podium in nearly every age group. Led by the Club’s Women’s 50-59 team’s first place, the men followed with team titles at ages 60-69 and 70-79. Runner-up finishes by the Men’s 50-59, Women’s 60-69, and Women’s 70-79 teams put six Boulder Road Runners teams on the podium (out of eight total podium spots).
Allyson Serrao finshes strong to lead the Women’s 50+ team to the top podium spot.
Team Captain Lesia Atkinson finished third just ahead of Impala Racing Team’s third runner to clinch the team title on a tie-breaker between the two teams.
Women’s 50-59 Team Captain Lesia Atkinson finished third on her Boulder Road Runners team, and just ahead of Impala Racing Team’s third runner to clinch the team title on a tie-breaker between the two teams. Allyson Serrao (2nd), Marcey Cote(5th), Katherine De Simone, and Jeannie Freis combined for the win in the team’s debut race together.
In the Women’s 60s race, Lisa Mills (2nd), Stephanie Scholl (6th), and Ellen Hart (8th) led the team to second place on the podium, just four points behind Impala Racing Team. In the Women’s 70+ race, Edie Stevenson (3rd), Nancy Antos (5th), and Lynn Hermanson (6th) notched second place for their team.
On the Men’s side, Anthony Bruns (Men’s 40) and Chris Grauch (Men’s 50) led the Club with 2nd and 8th place individual finishes overall. Bruns also finished second in the Men’s 40 division leading his team to 4th position as a team, and just nine points off the podium. Chris Grauch won the Men’s 50 division individually to lead Glen Mays (4th), Flavio De Simone (8th), Chris McDonald (9th), and John Borthwick (10th) to second position on the team podium.
Anthony Bruns took 2nd overall, and lead the Men’s 40+ team to a 2nd place finish.
The Men’s 60-69 and 70-79 teams are the reigning Club Cross Country champions, and they delivered again, on their home course. Mark Tatum (2nd), Tim DeGrado (3rd), and Roger Sayre (6th) combined to lead the M60 team while Doug Bell (1st), Carl Mohr (2nd), and Gary Ostwald (5th) won the day, and clinched the season-long Grand Prix title in the process.
Doug Bell Men’s 70+ team lead the team to a top podium finish, and to win the season-long USATF Masters Grand Prix title in the process.
Check out all the individual, team, and Age-Graded Results at USATF.org
Thank you to Dave Albo for all the great photos. More great photos for purchase and download from Lane1photos.com