Why some of y'all talking about a tactical race? You have Lemngole and Hedengren going head-to-head - it ain't going to be slow. I could see the race being those two and then everyone else racing for position, because you'd be crazy to try to stay with them (although I would bet money at least one young Kenyan tries for a few K).
You'd think Lemngole and Kosgei as sub-15 runners would give her a very tough race but the performances so far this season indicate that there will be at least a 20 second gap from Hedengren back to second.
True.
However, Lemngole held back for awhile at SECs before taking off FTW in her first fall race.
Same with Kosgei at MWC.
And, same with Cherotich at B1Gs, not separating from the pack until after the 4k mark.
Whereas, Hedengren took off from the gun at Big 12s, immediately going to the front and lengthening the lead throughout.
Since it appears Hedengren has gone all-out in both her races, while it appears the other 3 have not, impossible to tell at this point who if fitter than whom.
Note: all have broken 19:00 for 6k xc races.
In any case, those are your 4 co-favorites for the national title.
Question going into NCAAs -- presuming all advance through Regionals: does Jane continue her front running approach, going hard from the gun in an attempt to run the legs out from the other 3? Or, does Diljeet call an audible, having Jane stay with the pack for awhile, then going hard over the last 2-3k?
Such a fascinating race-within-the-race. Likely the highlight of both races on Nov 22nd.