Outstanding High Performance Entries Feature in the 2015 Adrian Martinez Classic
Concord, MA, USA
Tuesday 26 May 2015
The Adrian Martinez Classic track meet has announced outstanding High Performance entries for the seventh edition of the meet, building on the successful introduction of elite 800m, 5000m and Mile fields in 2014. The High Performance races are an integral part of the community-oriented event, scheduled to take place at Emerson Field, Concord, MA on the evening of Thursday 04 June 2015.
When asked about this year’s meet, Elite Athlete Coordinator, Jonathan Marcus stated, “The 2015 Adrian Martinez Classic High Performance races have been specifically scheduled in date and location to meet the competition needs for the top-tier of US men and women middle distance and distance athletes. These 800m, 5000m and Mile races would not be possible without the full support of HOKA ONE ONE and the timing in the competition calendar (04 June) provides the ideal opportunity for athletes to finalize their preparations for the US National Championships (25-28 June), as well as gaining qualifying times for National and International meets. We are filling a developmental need on the East Coast and building on last year’s success.”
If entries are to be a guide, a developmental need is being met with the two strongest events and deepest in quality in 2015 currently being the Men’s Adro Mile and the Women’s 5000m. With entries still to close, the Men’s Adro Mile shows Robby Andrews heading a total entry of 18 sub-4 minute milers. Andrews has a best of 3:34.78 for 1500m (mile equivalent: 3:51.9) and is followed by Lee Emanuel of Great Britain who ran 3:35.66 for 1500m in this past indoors season (mile equivalent: 3:52.9) and Kyle Merber who has a best mile performance of 3:54.76.
In the Women’s 5000m, there are currently over 20 women entered who have bettered 16:00, including seven who have bettered 15:30. Last year’s winner, Amy (Hastings) Cragg returns to Emerson Field with a PR of 15:09.59 but will be challenged by a strong field including two other ‘USATF High Performance Tier Program’ athletes, Desiree (Davila) Linden, 15:08.64 and Abbey D’Agostino, 15:11.35.
In the Women’s 800m, Dana Mecke returns with a 2:02.85 PR, achieved in winning last year’s race and is joined by Erin Donohue, who ran 1:59.99 in 2010 but did not compete in 2012 or 2013 and only sparingly last year. After her recent 2:04.18, Donohue is hoping for a return to her previous form. Also, watch out for the fast improving Kendra Chambers, with a recent best of 2:01.93 after setting PRs in 2015, both indoors and outdoors, at 400m (52.71), 600m (1:26.73i) and 800m. The Women’s Adro Mile also features a return by last year’s victor. Violah Lagat of Kenya has a best of 4:29.43 (World Leader and PR in winning last year) and may face up to Morgan Uceny, who was 2nd in the Adro Mile in 2014 but this year is currently entered in both the Mile (4:29.61) and 800m (1:58.37). Nicole (Schappert) Tully is another athlete currently entered in both the 800m (2:02.86) and Mile (1500 best of 4:06.87, mile equivalent: 4:26.4). Whichever event they choose, they are certain to spice up the proceedings.
Meet Director Steve Lane founded the Adrian Martinez Classic in 2009 to honor the memory of one of his athletes, Adrian Martinez, who died of sudden cardiac arrest in 2006. Commenting on this year’s event he said, “We started the Adrian Martinez Classic as a way to bring together the entire running community – youth and seniors, elites and beginners. It’s part track meet, part celebration.” He recognised the changes to the meet that the supporting sponsorship has brought, “HOKA has helped us achieve this vision, and the fact that we can make it happen in the town of Concord, in this beautiful setting, is a testament to the tremendous efforts not only of HOKA, but of the town itself and army of volunteers needed to make it happen. We are very excited about this year’s meet, and look forward to even greater developments in the future.”
When asked why HOKA ONE ONE became involved and is now in the second year of sponsorship of the Adrian Martinez Classic, Jim Van Dine, President, said, ‘HOKA recognises that high performance competition is not always easy to find for our elite and emerging elite athletes. That is why we have invited the nation’s top-ranked men and women at 800m and 5000m as well as the Mile to participate, in what is a unique setting for them. Usually, these elite athletes compete in vast purpose-built arenas with seating for 1000’s. Here in Emerson Field, Concord there is an intimacy and a relaxed environment surrounding the site. Spectators can almost reach out and touch the athletes during competition and can mingle with them pre- and post-race. The Adrian Martinez Classic creates an incredible atmosphere and fast times.”
The mile races are designated the ‘Adro Miles’, reflecting Adrian’s love of the mile race and attract their own bonuses for time achievement. The first man and woman breaking the existing records of 3:58.73 and 4:29.43 respectively, both set last year, will receive $2,000. With the fields currently entered for these races, the prospect of the records surviving is remote.
For more information about the Adrian Martinez Classic High Performance Events, contact:
Jonathan Marcus, High Performance Coordinator for the Adrian Martinez Classic
E-mail: jmar24@gmail.com
Phone: +1 971 344 4469 (USA – Pacific Coast Standard time)
For more information about the Adrian Martinez Classic, contact:
Stephen Lane, Meet Director, Adrian Martinez Classic
Email: stevelane6@gmail.com
Phone: 617-306-4650 (USA – Eastern Time)
About the Adrian Martinez Classic
The Adrian Martinez Classic began in 2009 as a tribute to a great runner and wonderful young man, Adrian Martinez. Adrian was a champion miler
at Concord-Carlisle High School, Class of 2002. His humility, gentle and caring nature, and love of learning inspired the lives of all he met. He selflessly gave of himself to all who sought his help, whether academically as a gifted math student, or athletically as an accomplished distance runner.
The summer after he graduated from Williams College, Adrian Martinez suffered a fatal sudden cardiac arrest while playing soccer with friends. He cherished his friends and family and was loved universally. He led quietly and by example, both at CCHS and at Williams College, where he graduated with the Class of 2006. The Adrian Martinez Classic is a way to honor his life by doing something he truly loved: running with friends.
The Adrian Martinez Classic serves as a fundraiser for the Adrian Martinez Memorial Scholarship Fund at Concord-Carlisle High School (which is administered by the CCHS Scholarship Fund), and for the Friends of CCHS Track & Field, which supports the Track & Field teams at CCHS. Adrian’s parents, Angel and Frankie, his brothers Lucas and Julian, and his sister, Olivia, have established the Adrian A. Martinez Memorial Scholarship Fund to commemorate his passion for distance running and his devotion to learning. It is their sincere hope that his kindness, humility, giving nature, sense of purpose and commitment and inspirational leadership will be reflected in all recipients of this annual award.
For more information on the Adrian Martinez Scholarship Fund:
The Adrian A. Martinez Memorial Scholarship Fund has been established by Adrian’s family to honor the life of Adrian Martinez, CCHS Class of 2002. http://ccscholarshipfund.org/site/mobile?url=http%3A%2F%2Fccscholarshipfund.org%2FNamed_Funds.html#2875
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