The 2021 cross country season came to an exciting end on December 11 for Atlanta Track Club's Elite, Open, Masters and Youth Team members as they competed for national cross country titles. Several of the Club's Elite and Open Team members as well as more than 50 Masters Team members competed at the USATF National Club Cross Country Championships at Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee, FL while Youth Team members were running the USATF National Junior Olympic Championships in Paris, KY.
USATF National Club Cross Country Championships: Club Open Races
The Club's Elite and Open Team women finished second behind Hansons-Brooks Distance Project in the 6K Open race. The team was led by Maegan Krifchin, who primarily competes in the marathon, and fought hard to finish third in team scoring with 20:10.0.
"The race got out super hard, sort of expected, but a shock to the system especially coming from the marathon where you get a few miles to warm up," said Krifchin who previously finished sixth at October's Bank of America Chicago Marathon. "I found my groove and strength more so in the second lap and just worked my way up and focused on grinding it out to the finish. The team placing second with a mix of 800 runners and marathoners ain't too shabby. Proud of this group!"
The Club's Elite and Open Team men, also consisting of mid-distance runners and marathoners, finished 20th of 35 teams in the 10K Open race. Recent Furman University graduate Ryan Adams led the men's team with a 24th place finish in 31:50.1.
"It was definitely a grind with it being about two years since my last cross country race," said Adams, who ran a rare sub-four minute mile during this past November. "I enjoyed the challenge, while it's not my primary focus, any kind of effort like that is great for sharpening your mental strength."
For race results click here.
USATF National Club Cross Country Championships: Masters Races
32 members of the Club's Masters women's and men's teams made the journey to compete at nationals. Jill Braley was the fastest woman in an Atlanta Track Club uniform, placing sixth overall and fifth in the 40-44 age group 6K in 23:08. Casey Hannan recorded the top finish among the Club's Masters men's athletes, taking 15th in the 60-64 age group 6K with 32:40.9.
The Masters women and men returned to Atlanta with plenty of hardware, finishing third and second in the women's 60-plus and 70-plus team scoring, respectively. The men claimed third and first in the 70-plus and 80-plus team races, respectively.
"There was a lot of cheering and camaraderie going on at the event and that's what I enjoy most about cross country," said Elizabeth Unislawski, who runs with the Masters women's team when she is not busy managing finance and operations at Atlanta Track Club offices. "Having the Masters, Elite and Open runners all cheering on each other made the event a lot of fun and really exciting."
For race results click here.
USATF National Junior Olympic Championships
10 members of Atlanta Track Club Youth Team traveled to Kentucky to compete in the boys races at the USATF National Junior Olympic Championships. Declan Schuette recorded the team's top finish, placing 70th with 12:15.4 among 367 competitors in the 3K 11-12 age group. Schuette had been a team leader throughout the previous cross country season, helping the team to place third at the Georgia Middle School State Cross Country Championships.
For race results click here.
