Everything’s Coming Up Roses: NYC Marathon & Stumptown XC
By Krysta Gunvalson
The fall season is heating up with race performances by eight teammates in the last two weeks. Rose City Track Club members spanned coast to coast with appearances at the local Stumptown Cross Country Series and in the Big Apple at the New York City Marathon.
Stumptown XC #4: Pier Park
On Saturday, November 4th Ashley Meagher, Krysta Gunvalson, Jaime Musgrave, Marla Smith, and Fionna Fallon along with friend of RCTC, Emma Huston, lined up for another chilly morning on the grassy, muddy hills (and hay bales) of Pier Park. The field was widely spread, with Huston and Fallon taking the top spots and placing 3rd and 13th in 23:03 and 24:20 respectively. They were followed closely by Meagher and Smith who finished a mere 5 seconds apart in 26:13 and 26:18. Gunvalson chased behind in a solid 26:57 for 39th place, followed by Musgrave who came in 49th place in 28:51. The team celebrated a 2nd overall place in the open female division.
NYC Marathon
On the other side of the country, Liz Anjos, Shasta Zielke, and Angela Vinton took to the streets of New York City at the November 5th NYC Marathon. They were graced with chilly, overcast skies and an unprecedented and historic win by fellow Portlander, Shalane Flanagan.
Flanagan on the cover of the New York Times following her historic win.
Zielke went on to run her road marathon debut in 3:14:11 with an impressive six minute negative split.
Zielke in her road marathon debut!
Vinton set a 9+ minute personal record and ran 54 minutes faster than her last appearance in the NYCM for a finish time of 4:30:07. Of her race, she wrote, “Last time I ran the #tcsnycmarathon, I missed The NY Times cut off by a couple of minutes. This time, my name is in the middle of the section! I’m so proud of how much I’ve improved since I ran my first marathon!”
“Heyyy, I’m running here!” Vinton en route to her nine minute marathon PR!
Anjos enjoyed the exhilarating city crowds and felt happy to be racing again after being sidelined by an injury earlier in the year. She finished in a solid 3:26:08. Of her effort, she wrote, “I’m relieved that this chapter of training has come to a close and I’m feeling rejuvenated and excited for what’s to come.”
Anjos in the final miles of NYC Marathon!
Vinton, Zielke, and Anjos celebrating their NYC finishes over cheesecake