21-11-2013, 06:59 AM
Molly Huddle (Providence, R.I.) earns USA Track & Field Athlete of the Week honors for the second time in 2013 after breaking the womenââ¬â¢s 12 km world record Sunday, Nov. 17 at the .US National Road Racing Championships in Alexandria, Va. As the eventââ¬â¢s top female finisher, Huddle not only won the race, but her combined points total also earned her the USA Racing Circuit title.
ââ¬ÅIt was a great morning to run fast,ââ¬Â said Huddle. ââ¬ÅI think Shalane [Flanagan] and I wanted to take advantage of a really fast course and really fast weather conditions. We both knew what the American record pace was and Shalane initiated the idea (to go for the record) and thatââ¬â¢s just how things shook out in the end.ââ¬Â
Flanagan (Portland, Ore.) and Huddle broke away from the pack in the opening mile to split 5:05 with an 11 second lead. The two ran neck-and-neck with Flanagan moving slightly ahead to split 5 km in 15:42 as Huddle remained very close in stride.
ââ¬ÅDeena (Kastor) set the record, so itââ¬â¢s pretty amazing when you put it in that perspective. Shalane did a lot of leading throughout the first five miles. It was a good time for both of us, and itââ¬â¢s definitely something to take confidence from and a good way to cap off the season.
Huddleââ¬â¢s finish at the .US Championships increased her USARC points tally to 60, which was enough for the 2013 USARC title.
ââ¬ÅIt was a great event, and I would love to see more people show up from the running community. A fast course is fun for both elite athletes and the everyday runner.ââ¬Â
Huddle was previously named USATF Athlete of the Week, Sept. 25, 2013, after her win at the USA 5 km Championships in Providence, R.I.
Now in its 12th year, USATFââ¬â¢s Athlete of the Week program is designed to recognize outstanding performers at all levels of the sport. USATF names a new honoree each week and features the athlete on usatf.org. Selections are based on top performances and results from the previous week.
2013 Winners: January 9, Bobby Mack; January 16, Mary Cain; January 22, Ajeé Wilson; January 30, Duane Solomon; February 6, Chris Derrick; February 13, Jeremy Taiwo; February 20, Alysia Montaño; February 27, Galen Rupp; March 6, Jenn Suhr; March 13, Tia Brooks; March 20, Bridget Franek; March 27, Ben True; April 3, Darvis ââ¬ÅDocââ¬Â Patton; April 10, Octavious Freeman; April 24, Erik Kynard; May 1, Queen Harrison; May 8, Tyson Gay; May 15, Jon Olsen; May 22, Mary Cain; May 29, Michael Tinsley; June 5, Mary Cain; June 12, Brianna Rollins; June 26, Brianna Rollins; July 3, Thomas Burns; July 10, Ryan Whiting; July 17, William Bell. Sr.; July 24, Jenny Simpson; July 31, Tia Jones; August 14, Brittney Reese; August 21, LaShawn Merritt; August 28, Megan Glasmann; September 4, Matt Tegenkamp; September 11, Mandy Ortiz; September 18, David Oliver; September 25, Molly Huddle; October 3, Desi Davila; October 10, Kathryn Martin; October 17, Michael Mannozzi; October 24, Matt Flaherty; October 30, Kelly Calway; November 7, Tatyana McFadden; November 18, Molly Huddle.
ââ¬ÅIt was a great morning to run fast,ââ¬Â said Huddle. ââ¬ÅI think Shalane [Flanagan] and I wanted to take advantage of a really fast course and really fast weather conditions. We both knew what the American record pace was and Shalane initiated the idea (to go for the record) and thatââ¬â¢s just how things shook out in the end.ââ¬Â
Flanagan (Portland, Ore.) and Huddle broke away from the pack in the opening mile to split 5:05 with an 11 second lead. The two ran neck-and-neck with Flanagan moving slightly ahead to split 5 km in 15:42 as Huddle remained very close in stride.
ââ¬ÅDeena (Kastor) set the record, so itââ¬â¢s pretty amazing when you put it in that perspective. Shalane did a lot of leading throughout the first five miles. It was a good time for both of us, and itââ¬â¢s definitely something to take confidence from and a good way to cap off the season.
Huddleââ¬â¢s finish at the .US Championships increased her USARC points tally to 60, which was enough for the 2013 USARC title.
ââ¬ÅIt was a great event, and I would love to see more people show up from the running community. A fast course is fun for both elite athletes and the everyday runner.ââ¬Â
Huddle was previously named USATF Athlete of the Week, Sept. 25, 2013, after her win at the USA 5 km Championships in Providence, R.I.
Now in its 12th year, USATFââ¬â¢s Athlete of the Week program is designed to recognize outstanding performers at all levels of the sport. USATF names a new honoree each week and features the athlete on usatf.org. Selections are based on top performances and results from the previous week.
2013 Winners: January 9, Bobby Mack; January 16, Mary Cain; January 22, Ajeé Wilson; January 30, Duane Solomon; February 6, Chris Derrick; February 13, Jeremy Taiwo; February 20, Alysia Montaño; February 27, Galen Rupp; March 6, Jenn Suhr; March 13, Tia Brooks; March 20, Bridget Franek; March 27, Ben True; April 3, Darvis ââ¬ÅDocââ¬Â Patton; April 10, Octavious Freeman; April 24, Erik Kynard; May 1, Queen Harrison; May 8, Tyson Gay; May 15, Jon Olsen; May 22, Mary Cain; May 29, Michael Tinsley; June 5, Mary Cain; June 12, Brianna Rollins; June 26, Brianna Rollins; July 3, Thomas Burns; July 10, Ryan Whiting; July 17, William Bell. Sr.; July 24, Jenny Simpson; July 31, Tia Jones; August 14, Brittney Reese; August 21, LaShawn Merritt; August 28, Megan Glasmann; September 4, Matt Tegenkamp; September 11, Mandy Ortiz; September 18, David Oliver; September 25, Molly Huddle; October 3, Desi Davila; October 10, Kathryn Martin; October 17, Michael Mannozzi; October 24, Matt Flaherty; October 30, Kelly Calway; November 7, Tatyana McFadden; November 18, Molly Huddle.