On March 3rd, Caumsett State Historic Park will be filled with just an extra hint of excitement as the potential for records to be broken will surround the USA Track & Field 50K National Road Championship.
What makes the 2019 event so special is the elite field of competitors shaping up to take part in an epic chase to not only claim the top spot, but also shatter current race and national records.
The ladies field is stacked with three women who are no strangers to running far and fast: Caroline Boller, Esther Atkins and Janet Cherobon-Bawcom. In 2016, Caroline Boller, out of Solvang, CA, not only won the 50K Race, but, she also claimed a new master’s championship record in the process. Janet Cherobon-Bawcom, originally from Kapsabet , Kenya is a former U.S. Olympian, having competed in the 10,000 meter event in 2012. Esther Atkins, of Richmond, VA competed for the US in the marathon distance at the 2015 World Championships in Athletics in China. Cherobon-Bawcom and Atkins post a 2:29 and 2:33 Marathon Finish time, respectively. Times like that leave the current female race record of 3:15, and the USATF 50K record of 3:13:51 in some serious jeopardy of standing no more.
The men’s race will also see the return of some former hopefuls. After losing in the final lap after gunning for a course record in the 2016 race, Zachary Ornelas, of Plymouth, MI, arrives to seek some revenge on the heels of having won the Tussey Mountainback 50 Mile Ultramarathon this past October. He will be facing off against William Brewster, of Grayslake, NY, who was leading much of the 2018 event until plagued with stomach issues late in the race. Brewster will also step foot on the starting live having just finished 2nd at the Lake Norman Ultra.
In addition to elite runners, March 3rd will also see many runners participating in the Greater Long Island Running Club 25k, which starts 5 minutes after the 50k race.
In order to be eligible for any of the cash prizes, runners competing in the 50k event must be a US citizen and an active USATF member. The Caumsett 50K Championship offers a prize purse in the following amounts and categories: $500; $150; $100 respectively to the top three Male and Female Open and Masters finishers. There will be $1,000 Bonus if the first male 50K finisher breaks the race record of 2:48:56 or if the first 50K female finisher breaks the race record of 3:15:00. An additional $1500 bonus will be awarded if the first male 50K finisher breaks Josh Cox’s USATF National 50K record of 2:43:45 or if the first female 50K finisher breaks Janice Klecker’s USATF National 50K record of 3:13:51. To add some incentive for local Long Island Runners, there will be a $100 CASH PRIZE for the first male and first female Long Island resident to finish the 50K.
The course boasts a Certified 5K loop (5 loops for the 25k and 10 for the 50k) on a paved path that travels through Caumsett State Historic Park with picturesque views overlooking the Long Island Sound. For those competing in the 50k distance, the 26.2 mile split offers a chance to qualify for Boston - runners, however, MUST finish the entire distance in order to be eligible.
The race offers something for everyone with high quality technical shirts, free race photos and medals to ALL Finishers.
With Olympians and amateurs alike battling in this fast-paced distance challenge on a National Stage, this year’s race is one all eyes should be on.
