This weekend Jared was registered to race the Caumsett 50k USATF Championships in Long Island. So we piled in Chris and Mia Raulli's car and headed out Saturday morning. Chris was also running, making it his second ultra in the books. They were also meeting their friend, C Fred Josyln, who was running too.
Sunday morning we woke up in our 5 star (*sarcasm*) Days Inn room and headed to Caumsett State Park. The American record for this distance is 2:47 and the course record is 2:52:49. So not only was one hoping for a first place finish but you also wanted to the beat the course record to get the cash pot of $1k.
The course is 5k loop that they had to complete 10 times. Last year's winner, Zach Ornelas, went out at American record speed. Jared, Chris and Fred kept together about 4 mins behind Zach in second, third and fourth place. They stayed in these places until the start of their last lap. Zach's fast start caught up to him and he came to a walk. We heard he wanted to quit but was urged to just finish the last two miles he had. Jared passed Zach and so followed Fred, placing them in first and second place. Zach started running again and two other passed Chris having him place at a very speedy and strong sixth place. Jared and Fred took their first and second places in under three hours - Jared with a time of 2:57 and Fred with a time of 2:59. Jared earned a place on the U.S. team that will compete at the IAU 50k world championships in November in Qatar.
Watching these three best friends run such a strong race was so much fun. I am so proud of Jared and his accomplishments. He works so hard and he is improving constantly. I cannot wait to cheer him on in Qatar!
Sunday morning we woke up in our 5 star (*sarcasm*) Days Inn room and headed to Caumsett State Park. The American record for this distance is 2:47 and the course record is 2:52:49. So not only was one hoping for a first place finish but you also wanted to the beat the course record to get the cash pot of $1k.
The course is 5k loop that they had to complete 10 times. Last year's winner, Zach Ornelas, went out at American record speed. Jared, Chris and Fred kept together about 4 mins behind Zach in second, third and fourth place. They stayed in these places until the start of their last lap. Zach's fast start caught up to him and he came to a walk. We heard he wanted to quit but was urged to just finish the last two miles he had. Jared passed Zach and so followed Fred, placing them in first and second place. Zach started running again and two other passed Chris having him place at a very speedy and strong sixth place. Jared and Fred took their first and second places in under three hours - Jared with a time of 2:57 and Fred with a time of 2:59. Jared earned a place on the U.S. team that will compete at the IAU 50k world championships in November in Qatar.
Watching these three best friends run such a strong race was so much fun. I am so proud of Jared and his accomplishments. He works so hard and he is improving constantly. I cannot wait to cheer him on in Qatar!