Fourth consecutive title for Molly Huddle at Drake Stadium, Des Moines
2016 Olympic and 2014/2015 ITU World Champion Gwen Jorgensen ran her fourth ‘post-triathlon’ race on Thursday night, as she continues her transition towards her goal of running at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in the Marathon. The USATF National Outdoor Championships over 10,000m on the track was the event and after spending a month of training at altitude at Mammoth Lakes in California, Gwen returned to competition to clock 32.24.09, finishing seventh.
A championship event, the race was never likely to be a time trial (Gwen ran 31.55 at Stanford in April). Leading from the front, reigning champion Molly Huddle went through the 8400m mark in 27:14, running consistent 1:17/1:18 laps in metronomic style. Jorgensen was part of a large group at this stage, following closely on the shoulder and pace-setting of Huddle, who earlier this year broke the U.S. record for the half marathon.
Form that point, Huddle blew the field apart, running the final four laps in 1:13:14 / 1:11:76 / 1:08:99 / 1:04:52. That final 1600m was run in 4:38, getter faster every lap. Jorgensen tried to pick up the pace (a 1:13:56 for the 22nd lap), but that was too much for her this time around and she slipped back to 1:19 / 1:19 / 1:16 for her final three laps. Huddle took the win in 31:52.32 with Jorgensen (7th) in 32.24.09 – losing 30 seconds over that final mile.
Speaking to LetsRun.com after the race (video HERE), Gwen indicated that this would likely be her final track race of 2018 and that she hopes to take on some road races and Marathon later this year.
7th place in 32:24
You never come into a race hoping for 7th, but that’s where I finished tonight in the @usatf championship. I loved the experience and opportunity to race. I am disappointed with my result today but will continue to keep pounding the rock.
📸 @TalbotCox pic.twitter.com/64Q3iIsvEM— gwen jorgensen (@gwenjorgensen) June 22, 2018
USATF Outdoor Championships, Des Moines, Iowa, Thursday 21st June 2018
Women’s 10,000m
1st – Molly Huddle – 31:52.32
2nd – Marielle Hall – 31:56.68
3rd – Stephanie Bruce – 32:05.05
7th – Gwen Jorgensen – 32:24.09