Masters athlete Libby James has been honored as USATF Athlete of the Week after her record-breaking performance at the USATF Masters 5K Road Championships on Sunday, October 2.
Hosted by the Syracuse Festival of Races, there were masters records in multiple age groups, but James’s feat reigned supreme. James (Fort Collins, Colorado) finished in 25:11, shattering the previous U.S. masters W80 record of 29:23 (Anne Clarke, 1989). The time was also a world best in the event, as James surpassed the previous world mark of 28:25.
Other notable performances:
Kathy Martin (Northport, New York) broke the U.S. W65 record of 20:27 set by Sabra Harvey in 2014. Surpassing the previous record by 30 seconds, Martin also set a new world best in the distance as she bested Janette Stevenson’s 20:04 in March of last year.
Now in its 15th year, USATF’s Athlete of the Week program is designed to recognize outstanding performers at all levels of the sport. USATF names a new honoree each week and features the athlete on USATF.org. Selections are based on top performances and results from the previous week.
2016 Winners: Jan. 13, Garrett Heath; Jan. 20, Donavan Brazier; Jan. 27, Keni Harrison; Feb. 3, Jenn Suhr; Feb. 10, Vashti Cunningham; Feb. 17, Galen Rupp; Feb. 24, John Nunn; March 2, Curtis Beach; March 11, Bill Collins; March 16, Da’mira Allen; March 24, Michelle Carter; March 31, Janet Bawcom; April 8, Maria Michta-Coffey; April 14, Keni Harrison; April 22, LaShawn Merritt; April 28, Courtney Okolo; May 6, Ida Keeling; May 12, Willie Gault; May 18, Marquise Goodwin; June 2, Keni Harrison; June 9, Tia Brooks; June 16, Donavan Brazier; June 23, Sydney McLaughlin; June 30, Tia Jones; July 7, Allyson Felix; July 15, Bernard Lagat; July 22, Allen Woodard; July 29, Keni Harrison; August 5, Chantae McMillan; August 11, Myrle Mensey; August 20, Michelle Carter; August 26, Matt Centrowitz; September 1, Megan Roche; September 8, Christian Taylor; September 14, Joe Gray; September 21, Jenny Hoffman; September 30, Jeff Henderson; October 5, Libby James.
We welcome your nominations!
To nominate an athlete for USATF Athlete of the Week, please send a detailed email about his/her performance to Communications@usatf.org.