Monson is running too! I like Mackay over Valby over Schweizer. Mackay has been on fire and Schweizer hasn't been looking so good lately.
Valby outkicked a better version of Schweizer at the 10k Olympic Trials. But I don't think Valby will have any answer for Mackay's kick. Valby will have to drop Mackay by 5+ seconds which doesn't seem likely.
Monson is running too! I like Mackay over Valby over Schweizer. Mackay has been on fire and Schweizer hasn't been looking so good lately.
Valby outkicked a better version of Schweizer at the 10k Olympic Trials. But I don't think Valby will have any answer for Mackay's kick. Valby will have to drop Mackay by 5+ seconds which doesn't seem likely.
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I like Mackay but unless Valby runs a non Valby type race than Mackay won't be close enough to out kick Valby. I feel Valby knows she will need to set off at sub 14:40 pace from the start and see how long they can hold on.
Monson is running too! I like Mackay over Valby over Schweizer. Mackay has been on fire and Schweizer hasn't been looking so good lately.
Valby outkicked a better version of Schweizer at the 10k Olympic Trials. But I don't think Valby will have any answer for Mackay's kick. Valby will have to drop Mackay by 5+ seconds which doesn't seem likely.
....
I like Mackay but unless Valby runs a non Valby type race than Mackay won't be close enough to out kick Valby. I feel Valby knows she will need to set off at sub 14:40 pace from the start and see how long they can hold on.
I’m not sure about that. You know Mackay has a faster 5k PR than Valby (14:45 vs. 14:49) right? Her 3k win at US indoors was super impressive—8:30 with splits of 3:01-2:48-2:40, and the last lap in 29.9–and she backed it up with silver at Worlds. She’s in good form having run 3:58s in the first two DL meets.
I really have no clue how it will go though. Valby could blitz a 14:36 with a tired Mackay 20 seconds behind, or Valby could serve as the pacer at 14:45 pace until Mackay blasts away and runs the 14:36 herself.
I like Mackay but unless Valby runs a non Valby type race than Mackay won't be close enough to out kick Valby. I feel Valby knows she will need to set off at sub 14:40 pace from the start and see how long they can hold on.
Pretty sure she's not going to go out at 29:20 pace.
I like Mackay but unless Valby runs a non Valby type race than Mackay won't be close enough to out kick Valby. I feel Valby knows she will need to set off at sub 14:40 pace from the start and see how long they can hold on.
Pretty sure she's not going to go out at 29:20 pace.
29:20 pace? It’s a 5k race. It would not be surprising if she goes out at close to 14:40 pace.
Emily Mackay is coming off some strong momentum, along with Karissa. Karissa won the 5k road champs and MacKay was silver medalist indoors with some very impressive outdoor races lately. Parker Valby has finally raced after countless months of injuries and PR’s (and wins) her first 5k race in 18 months. Parker looks stronger than ever before. This will be a very exciting race. At the Olympic trials, Parker lead the majority of the 5k race (besides the last 850 meters) and Karissa beat Parker by 6 seconds (14:45 to Parker’s 14:51). Parker also beat Karissa Schweitzer at the line for the Olympic trials 10,000. Karissa did beat Parker at the Olympic Paris final. This race is going to be one to watch! This is really going to test Parker’s ability- and she will most likely have to redline for her to be able to try to take the win. At Parker’s sound running la track fest 5k, she took the lead after about 4 laps and kept the gas on. She really didn’t have anyone pushing her the last mile, she was all by herself in Valby fashion. Smiling coming around the bend for the final 100m, she didn’t really look tired- but she never looks tired after a race. This next race will be very interesting to watch and I feel like after this next race, we’ll know where everyone is fitness wise. But these ladies are going to push each other to their abilities, which is going to be a treat to see!
Mackay just ran 3:58.13 / 1500m on same day which shows greater fitness than Valby 14:49.41. Mackay will definitely have faster close than Valby. I don't think Schweizer is at this fitness yet. She ran 14:59 on the roads on 5/2 but it was longer ago than other two. Should be good race.
Mackay is on an entirely different level than Valby right now. There is not a world where Mackay doesn’t quite easily sit on Valby and absolutely scorch her by 10+ seconds over the final 600m.
Mackay just won silver at the world indoor and just finished 3rd at a DL race. And yes, someone already mentioned Mackay’s USA indoor performance (and championship record) this past winter, as well. She bodied ESP.
It’s nice to have Valby back to where she was, but the bar is much, much higher and right now Valby is still very much just a national class runner without a kick, whereas Mackay is world class and has a world class close.
Valby may get there in the future, but as of the month of June 2026, it’s no contest.
Monson is running too! I like Mackay over Valby over Schweizer. Mackay has been on fire and Schweizer hasn't been looking so good lately.
Valby outkicked a better version of Schweizer at the 10k Olympic Trials. But I don't think Valby will have any answer for Mackay's kick. Valby will have to drop Mackay by 5+ seconds which doesn't seem likely.
What’s going on with Andrews. MIA all year so far. Not looking good for her last year or two
Schweizer, Valby, Buchalski, Monson, Vaught have an auto Q time for USATF.
Donaghu is certain to get an at large and Kaylee Delay will probably also get in.
Abbe Goldstein needs to knock off at least 30 seconds to have a chance.
Mackay does not have a time but will certainly run far under the standard.
This is a small field for a 5000m and some runners may find themselves in no-man's-land by the halfway point. Given that there are only three legitimate opportunities left to get a 5000 time for Americans (LA Grand Prix, Portland, and Sunset Tour), I thought the field would be large. I hope they have wavelights at the 15:05 standard.
Monson is running too! I like Mackay over Valby over Schweizer. Mackay has been on fire and Schweizer hasn't been looking so good lately.
Valby outkicked a better version of Schweizer at the 10k Olympic Trials. But I don't think Valby will have any answer for Mackay's kick. Valby will have to drop Mackay by 5+ seconds which doesn't seem likely.
What’s going on with Andrews. MIA all year so far. Not looking good for her last year or two
Not sure who Andrews is. If it’s the US 5k runner then to me it looks like she’s on her way towards retirement with the no shows and constant injuries.
Mackay is on an entirely different level than Valby right now. There is not a world where Mackay doesn’t quite easily sit on Valby and absolutely scorch her by 10+ seconds over the final 600m.
Mackay just won silver at the world indoor and just finished 3rd at a DL race. And yes, someone already mentioned Mackay’s USA indoor performance (and championship record) this past winter, as well. She bodied ESP.
It’s nice to have Valby back to where she was, but the bar is much, much higher and right now Valby is still very much just a national class runner without a kick, whereas Mackay is world class and has a world class close.
Valby may get there in the future, but as of the month of June 2026, it’s no contest.
She’s a great runner, but Mackay is not world class and has never run well at the WC or Oympics.
It comes down to the fastest possible 5000m time Mackay is capable of running. If it’s 14:45 and Valby runs that pace, Mackay will not have a kick.
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