Kate Murphy Over Katie Rainsberger in 3K For the Ages
Heading into these championships, the nation's No. 1 ranked 1500m runner in Kate Murphy said her goal was to qualify for Poland in one event: either the 1500m or the 3K. She accomplished that goal and then some on Saturday night, as she won the 3K over Katie Rainsberger in 9:10.51 to 9:11.60, the second- and third-fastest outdoor track times in prep history.
For the math challenged, a 9:10.51 3K is worth about 9:54.39 for two miles and 9:50.97 for 3200m.
The Lake Braddock High School junior's time broke the meet record previously held by Mary Cain. Murphy's next race could be against the former New York prep school legend -- at the Olympic Trials, where Murphy hopes to reach the 1500m final.
Murphy and Rainsberger benefited from early pace setting duties by Great Oak's Destiny Collins, who made sure to keep the pace honest in order to hit the 9:35 World Juniors standard. Collins took third with a new PR of 9:21.44.
After the race, Rainsberger -- who lowered her 1500m PR to No. 6 all-time 4:12.62 this year -- said she was excited to race an entirely new distance and pleased with her efforts to keep pace with Murphy, who outran her, 4:07 to 4:14, at the adidas Dream 1500m last weekend.
