The Scoop: An Arizona State Record Goes Down, And More Top US No. 1 Weekend Efforts

London Culbreath Breaks The TDF's Girls Elite 5K Record

It was a two girl race from start to finish. 

And perhaps the gentle nudge of competition was the edge London Culbreath needed to secure a meet record in the Texas Distance Festival's elite girls 5K, finishing in a US No. 1 outdoor time of 16:44.83.

But it's worth nothing: Did Culbreath feel pressure from Libby McGrath?

The rookie finished second overall in 16:51.39, running the second fastest effort of the meet all-time. 

But maybe the hip-to-hip running, which the San Antonio Home School freshman employed throughout, did enough to make sure the McKinney North sophomore was on pace the entire way. A year ago, Culbreath mentioned how, as a freshman, her solo effort on the track became more arduous the longer the race became. 

She didn't have to worry about that on Saturday.

McGrath, who's best 5K previous to the effort was an 18:03.00 at the Foot Locker South Regional, fledged out to the front sometime after 200 meters, marking her spot alongside the sophomore. 

Plano's Ashlyn Hillyard ran the fourth fastest effort all-time at the meet and was third in 17:10.80, while Richardson Lake Highland's Ava Peeples was fourth in 17:26.26 and Austin Vandergrift's Jordan Mathis was fifth in 17:42.52.