No half measures: Morgan Pearson impresses again on the run

US triathlete Morgan Pearson can certainly run and he proved it again with another blistering half-marathon on Sunday.

Regular triathlon followers will know that the Tokyo 2020 Mixed Relay silver medallist did after all outrun Alex Yee when finishing third at WTCS Yokohama earlier this season, and Yee was the British Champion for 10,000m on the track in 2018. So this just confirms again the ability he has showcased many times before.

Fast(er) again for Pearson

On Sunday Pearson was in running-only mode, racing at the USATF Half Marathon Championships in Hardeeville, South Carolina.

Pearson has previous over the distance too, with an impressive 1:02:15 on his debut at the Michigan Pro Half Marathon just over 12 months ago, a race that he won.

He further improved his Personal Best time on Sunday, when a 1:01:47 clocking was enough to secure his eighth place in the Championship race. Conner Mantz took the title in 1:00:55.

For context, Pearson’s pace converts to 4:43/mile or 2:56/km. Impressive.

Full Men’s Championship Results

Gwen Jorgensen disappointed

The day didn’t go so well for the 2016 Olympic Triathlon champion, Gwen Jorgensen. She finished 25th in the women’s championship race, almost seven-and-a-half minutes down on women’s winner, Keira D’Amato (1:07:55), finishing in 1:15:21.

Having run 1:10:58 for fourth place in the same championship event three years ago, when it was held in Pittsburgh, is not one that will boost confidence. “Frankly terrible” was her own comment on the performance, before adding:

“Days like today hit me hard. I am confronted with quitting, questioning why? But my why is exactly what keeps me going. I failed today but the last few months have been so enjoyable for me. At some point I’ll call it quits but that will be after a race I know what happened and why.”

Full Women’s Championship Results