Bruce Eyes Repeat, Talented Field Ready to Race at the USATF Women’s 10 km Championship

USATF Release

NEW YORK CITY, New York – Defending champion Stephanie Bruce leads an all-star field of talent Saturday morning in New York City, as the NYRR New York Mini 10K featuring the USATF Women’s 10 km Championship brings together the nation’s best distance runners.

The USATF Women’s 10 km Championship are the sixth stop on the 2019 USATF Running Circuit. The event will be broadcast live,available to watch for free, on USATF.TVbeginning at 7:40am ET. Race videos, results, post-race interviews and photos will be available shortly after the race in cooperation with RunnerSpace.com.Join the conversation on Twitter with the hashtag #USARC.

Bruce, who beat a number of her top competitors this weekend at the 2018 edition, is having a great season. The Flagstaff-based athlete earned a big-time victory at the USATF Half Marathon Championships earlier in the season and continues to be one of the most versatile distance runners in the United States having also placed third in the 10,000m at the USATF Outdoor Championships last summer. 

Bruce will find familiar foes in Emma Bates and Sara Hall, two runners she goes head-to-head against frequently on the USATF Running Circuit. Bates won the USATF 25 km Championships last month, while placing third at the USATF Half Marathon Championships. Similarly, Hall placed second behind Bruce at the USATF Half Marathon Championships and second to Bates at the USATF 25 km Championships.

How the trio place Saturday will have big ramifications in the USATF Running Circuit standings. Bates currently sites first with 45 points overall, while Hall is second with 42 points and Bruce is tied for third with Bethany Sachtleben with 25.5 points. All three ran at the USATF 10 km Championships last year, Bruce the victor, Hall placing third and Bates earning sixth.

Aliphine Tuliamuk was runner-up to Bruce last year at the USATF 10 km Championships. Having a strong season thus far, Tuliamuk, who also trains with Bruce in Flagstaff as part of HOKA ONE ONE Northern Arizona Elite, finished third in early April at the Rotterdam Marathon in 2:26:50. She placed third late last month at the BOLDERBoulder 10K and should vie for a top three finish in New York City. 

Jordan Hasay is another top entrant to keep an eye on. While Hasay has thrived in recent years over longer distances on the roads, including her third place finish at the Boston Marathon in April in 2:25:20, Hasay is still a considerable threat no matter what distance she races.

A trio of Olympians add additional intrigue. Legendary American distance runner Deena Kastor is set to race. The 46-year old may not contend for the title Saturday, but she’ll certainly give fans plenty to cheer for. Sally Kipyego, who earned a silver medal at the 2012 Olympic Games for Kenya, along with Diane Nukuri, who competed in the 2016 Olympic Games for Burundi, are two other challengers searching for their first U.S. titles in New York.

Rachel Schneider is another top name to keep an eye on. After placing sixth at the USATF 15 km Championships earlier this season, Schneider won the 5000m at the USATF Distance Classic last month with a then world-leading time of 15:06.71. While the 10 km is considered a stretch distance for her, she’s clearly capable of winning.

Two others sure to compete for top five finishes are Erika Kemp and Sachtleben. Kemp won the USATF 15 km Championships in March and currently sits fifth in the USATF Running Circuit standings with 22.5 points. As mentioned, Sachtleben is tied for third overall, having finished second to Kemp at the USATF 15 km Championships, as well as sixth at the USATF Half Marathon Championships. 

Rounding out the top group of competitors, Carrie Dimoff and Roberta Groner are entered. The duo were recently selected to compete for Team USATF at the IAAF World Championships in Doha later this summer. Lindsay Flanagan will also contend for a top finish, coming off a strong ninth place showing at the Boston Marathon in April, as is veteran Laura Thweatt.

About the USATF Running Circuit

The USATF Running Circuit is a USATF road series featuring USATF championships from one mile through the marathon and consistently attracts the best American distance runners with more than $500,000 to be awarded in total prize money. A total of $75,000 in prize money will be awarded at the USATF Women’s 10 km Championship.

The first ten U.S. runners earn points at each USATF Running Circuit race. For the USATF 10 km Championships, scoring is set as 15 for first, 12 for second, 10 for third, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1, with those earning the most points receiving prize money at the end of the series.

The mission of the USATF Running Circuit is to showcase, support and promote U.S. runners. Since its inception in 1995, the USATF Running Circuit and its races have provided over $7 million to U.S. distance runners.

Contributed by Scott Bush