VALBY VS MARKEZICH NCAA 3k Championship!

Olivia will sit and kick. she’s much faster

Is that correct that MARKEZICH Will do the DMR anchor 3K double? Might depend on who has the tougher Friday night

Markezich is faster but if Valby gets a big lead it will be difficult to overcome. If Olivia is close within the last 3 laps I’ll give the edge to her. If Valby still has a decent lead at 3 laps of less, she’ll have the edge.

I like both of them. It should be a really good race.

Valby needed “anti pacers” to slow her down to 8:42! Valby in sub 8:30 shape. Markezich isn’t that much faster than Valby. Valby wins easily but will be a great race.

Valby won't race the 3000, she doesn't run two days in a row and will choose to race the less competitive 5000.

i'm actually excited for the races this year. Last year felt like such a foregone conclusion once Valby didn't race. So many women have leveled up this year excited to see how it plays out.

I agree with that. Last year in the ACC DMR Markezich got the baton several meters ahead of Maatoug. But Markezich raced too conservatively and allowed Maatoug to pass her with ease and open up a big gap. Markezich had plenty left at finish. She regrouped and passed Tuohy. I didn't understand why she hadn't tried to stay with Maatoug.

I realize it's a year later and a different distance. But that race indicated that Markezich is overly willing to cede ground. That's not going to work against Valby. Markezich did the same thing in the NCAA steeplechase final and was able to overtake Greta K from Lithuania.

I expect Valby to run the DMR and 3K. Being part DMR team is important to her. Running the 5K wouldn't accomplish much other than 25 boring laps. Running an all out 1600 and 3K would be much more beneficial to her development. The Gators aren't going to beat Arkansas anyway. They have too much depth.

Sounds like Affirmed and Alydar. Valby being Affirmed and winning.

With Olivia potentially in position to win both dmr and mile, she might duck a head-to-head matchup with Valby.

The interesting thing about this race is that we already know Valby will basically be the pacer. The question is if anyone will try to hang with her at this shorter distance (as opposed to the 5k finals during outdoors when everyone let her go). I think some will, like Ramsden and Markezich. Remember, Markezich only had pacing through 1200m at BU and then soloed the rest of the way. Markezich has also run 4:22, 4:26 for 1600m and Ramsden has a 4:24 mile. I still think Valby has the edge though, but I hope the others make it close.

Taylor Roe, Lemngole, Bunnage, there are a lot of women who could be factors here if they can hang. Roe has shown improved fitness this season and can deliver in a championship.

For PRs, I'm seeing 8:42 for Valby and 8:40 for Markezich. If that's wrong, let me know.

Going by that, Valby did look like she could go much faster than 8:42. Markezich has much faster mile speed and is one of the top returners for US Steeplechase this year.

Seems pretty even, to me!

Markezich has made it a point this year not to cede ground in the middle of a race like she used to. This might be a good test to see if Valby can run hard 2 days in a row.

In aggregate, 3000m & 5000m have a stronger correlation than many combinations, all other factors equal such as percentage away from peak fitness and injury free, smart money on Parker Valby, indoor 3000m. I believe Olivia M has a slight 3000m p.b. advantage. I still favor P Valby, 3000m.

Valbymania is rambunctious, courageous, and contagious. Her competitors fear the front-running and will wilt under the pressure.

Expect Great Things!!!

Valbymania, BABY!!!

Is it true Maia Ramsden is doing the 3000 and scratch the Mile? Looks like everyone wants a shot at Valby.

If this is indeed true, this is bad-ass of all the women. How often do you see runners skip their premier event in order to race against the best?

Indoor 3000m looking like the event to watch.

to be fair as I sit back and think about it is she did just run the 1600 and 3000 back to back days.