Nashville, TN – Multiple U.S. Track & Field Championships qualifiers highlighted the 2011 edition of the Music City Distance Carnival. Athletes proved that competition can overcome the conditions, on a night that saw record breaking heat and humidity for the event. Professional athletes lined up with collegiate and recent grads in four Invitational races for men and women that included the 800 meter, Mile run, 3,000 meter steeplechase and 5000 meter run. Middle school and high school races, as well as open races added to the excitement on the mondo surface at Vanderbilt University.
Barbara Parker, a former Florida State standout, set a meet record in the women’s mile taking the victory in 4:30.51 over Oregon Track Club’s Julie Lucas. Former Colorado Buffalo Sara Slattery, who has struggled with injuries the last several years, took the 5000 meter title in 15:56.99. Recent North Carolina State signee and Tennessee State Champion Joanna Thompson ran 17:04.34 for 7th. The deepest field of the night belonged to the women’s 3000 meter steeplechase. Saucony’s Mason Cathey dipped under the ten minute barrier winning in a time of 9:58.43, ahead of ten other women that were at 10:20 or better. The two lap event was won by Clora Williams, a Texas A&M graduate, in 2:04.42.
Four men took down the magical four minute mark in the mile run. Leading the way was Matthew Elliot who went from 6th to 1st in the last 120 meters to crack four minutes for the first time in his career in 3:58.96. The men’s steeple was won by New Balance’s Joshua McAdams in 8:39.11. Former Baylor High School standout and current Zap Fitness athlete Cameron Bean just missed the U.S. qualifying mark finishing fourth in 8:47.69. Speed River’s Reid Coolseat of Canada held off a late charge by Kenyan Paul Chelimo in the men’s 5000 meter race crossing the tape at 13:51.23. HPC Elite Athlete Karjuan Williams claimed the men’s 800 meter run in 1:47.10.
The top high school performance of the evening went to sophomore Tre Kinnaird of Butler High School in boy’s 800 meter race where he won in a super 1:50.71. Powell’s Andrew Ogle set a personal best of 1:54.12 taking third. Ensworth’s Sarah Delozier took the girl’s mile with a 5:04.25 performance.
Many of the races can be viewed at flotrack.com. Make sure to plan on participating or coming out to watch another incredible night of racing in 2012 when the MCDC looks for new records during the Olympic year.
2011 Music City Distance Carnival Results