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BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, February 11-12 — The 2-day Dave Hemery Valentine Invitational at the super-fast Boston University Track & Tennis Center produced records galore. The American men’s and women’s 5000 records fell, as did the Collegiate Record in the 3000, and a scintillating women’s 800 saw two girls better the HS Record.
Elise Cranny 14:33.17 AR
Nike Bowerman teammates Gabriela DeBues-Stafford and Elise Cranny put on quite a show in their 25-lap race on Friday.
With their eyes on Shalane Flanagan’s North American Record of 14:47.62 from ’09, the two fell behind the pace early (8:57.41 at 3K) but Cranny led a hard drive for the finish, and even was ahead of the Canadian by 1.39 with 600 left. But the Olympic 1500 finalist had the better kick, and went by her on a 30.81 final lap to score a Canadian Record 14:31.38, with Cranny demolishing the AR at 14:33.17 (in/out she’s now No. 3 U.S.).
Left far behind was Olympic steeple medalist Courtney Frerichs, whose 14:48.75 moved her to No. 4 among Americans all-time. The closing splits for the leaders were indeed boggling. Final 3000 in 8:30.83 for GDS (faster than her recent NR) and a final 1600 of 4:25.72. For Cranny, an 8:32.43 that only 4 Americans have bettered indoors, a last 2000 of 5:35.76 (Mary Slaney’s AR is only 1.24 faster) and a last 1600 of 4:27.81.
“That hurt, but I’m really happy with it,” the winner told LetsRun. “In a 5K you can get a lot out of yourself with a good negative split.”
Said Cranny, “There’s hopefully more there if we start at a faster pace next time.”
SOURCE: TRACK AND FIELD NEWS
