Wednesday, December 15, 2021

CMS Seniors 2nd Team at USATF XC Nationals; Eric Blake 3rd overall

The Central Mass Striders senior team (50+) of Greg Putnam, Joe Shairs, Steve Brightman, Tim Van Orden and Todd Callaghan placed 2nd overall out of 11 teams in the 2021 USATF National Club Cross Country Championships hosted at Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee, FL on December 11, 2021. Teams arrived to humid and foggy conditions. The fog lifted by the time the masters men’s 10K started at 11AM. 





Greg Putnam would lead the team with a time of 35:56, placing 43rd (3rd 50+) in the masters race comprised of 40 and 50 year old athletes. Joe Shairs placed 93rd (15th 50+) with a time of 37:44 just three seconds ahead of Steve Brightman (37:47, 16th 50+). Tim Van Orden (23rd 50+) and Todd Callaghan (32nd 50+) would run 38:09 and 38:34 to close out the scoring. West Valley Track Club would take the 50+ team win with just 28 points. Garden State Track Club would place 3rd with 95 points.

Meanwhile, Eric Blake would place 3rd overall in the masters race with a time of 33:14, just 2 seconds behind Peter Gilmore of West Valley and 19 seconds behind winner, Jesse Davis from Indiana Elite AC. Eric was in the mix for the lead right up until 6K on the spectator friendly 5 loop 10 course.



PLACE   TEAM                                                         PLACE

1              West Valley Track Club                                 28

2              Central Mass Striders                                     89

3              Garden State Track Club New Balance          95

4              Club Northwest                                             117

5              Bowerman Track Club                                  117

6              TC Running Company                                 149

7              Greater Springfield Harriers                         151

8              Boulder Road Runners                                 170

9              Atlanta Track Club                                        230

10           Cal Coast Track Club                                     290

11           F and M Track Club                                       325

 Place Time 40+

Eric Blake

3             33:14.2

 

Place Time 50+

Gregory Putnam

3              35:56.8

Joseph Shairs

15           37:44.9

Steve Brightman

16           37:47.6

Tim Van Orden

23           38:09.1

Todd Callaghan

32           38:34.7

2021 USATF National Club Cross Country Championships, Apalachee Regional Park, Tallahassee, FL December 11, 2021 Results