Kirsten Leetch, Tania Fischer and Darcy Lange made their way out to Lexington, Kentucky to represent the Janes this past weekend in the USATF Club National’s masters division. The Janes finished in second place, their highest masters placing scoring . The course at Masterson Station Park in Lexington was a true cross country course with uneven footing, long gradual up hills and down hills and to top it off, wet and muddy from the rain that fell the day before and during the meet.
Kirsten took it out with the leaders while Nancy Meck from the Atlanta Track Club gapped the field while taking it out hard. Gwen Lapham and Linda Huyck, both from Club Northwest, hung back but eventually passed Kirsten and Nancy to go one-two while Nancy faded to a third place finish. Gwen Lapham won in a time of 22:17.50. Tania hung back a bit and fought in the 8th spot most of the race, while Darcy, who was running in only her second cross country race since her college days, ran a tough race coming in 14th overall.
Kirsten was 4th (23:11.17), Tania 8th (23:40.69) and Darcy 14th (24:12.76). Club Northwest won with eight points, the Janes second with 21 and Team RunCoach was third with 30 points.
Kirsten’s finish was good enough for her to be first in her 45-49 year-old age group. This is the second year in a row that this age division was won by a Jane when Tania, who in 2011, finished 3rd overall earned that honor as well.
For complete results, click here.
For photos taken by Michael Scott, click here.
