Tania Fischer was the lone Jane to go and compete at the hotly contested masters race at the Carlsbad 5000 down in Carlsbad this morning. The second race of a long day of racing set the tone for the rest of day with a grind out, back and forth race that gave way to Tania winning at the very last moment. The race started with a pack of ladies who came through the mile in 5:27. Then, Kathleen Jobes, 41, of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania surged breaking away from the pack. Tania made the early decision to go with her and then the race was on. They both exchanged lead changes throughout the race but at the 2.5 mile mark, Jobes surged again, which Tania covered bringing them to the last 200 stretch side by side. Jobes again surged once she made the turn and it looked like Tania was going to have to settle for second, but Tania summoned up one last bit of strength and overcame Jobes right before the finish line. They were awarded the same time, 17:24 (even though the clock in the picture left says she broke the tape at 17:23??), with Tania edging out Jobes convincingly.
“It was intense out there. The crowd was roaring for us the entire race and we kept going at it back and forth,” Tania said post race, “I was just so excited after the race.” Tania has not won the masters division but she has finished 2nd and 3rd before. This one was due.
The mens’ master race was won by Christian Cushing-Murray (15:04) who is also a UCLA graduate like Tania.
For a race story of the race, click here.