Molly Huddle Named USA Track & Field’s Athlete Of The Week For Her World Best Performance At .US

USATF Press Release
November 20, 2013

​INDIANAPOLIS – Molly Huddle  (Providence, R.I.) earns USA Track & Field Athlete of the Week honors for the second time in 2013 after breaking the women’s 12 km world record Sunday, Nov. 17 at the .US National Road Racing Championships in Alexandria, Va. As the event’s top female finisher, Huddle not only won the race, but her combined points total also earned her the USA Racing Circuit title.
“It was a great morning to run fast,” said Huddle. “I think Shalane [Flanagan] and I wanted to take advantage of a really fast course and really fast weather conditions. We both knew what the American record pace was and Shalane initiated the idea (to go for the record) and that’s just how things shook out in the end.”
Flanagan (Portland, Ore.) and Huddle broke away from the pack in the opening mile to split 5:05 with an 11 second lead. The two ran neck-and-neck with Flanagan moving slightly ahead to split 5 km in15:42 as Huddle remained very close in stride.
“Deena (Kastor) set the record, so it’s pretty amazing when you put it in that perspective. Shalane did a lot of leading throughout the first five miles. It was a good time for both of us, and it’s definitely something to take confidence from and a good way to cap off the season.
Huddle’s finish at the .US Championships increased her USARC points tally to 60, which was enough for the 2013 USARC title.
“It was a great event, and I would love to see more people show up from the running community. A fast course is fun for both elite athletes and the everyday runner.”
Huddle was previously named USATF Athlete of the Week, Sept. 25, 2013, after her win at the USA 5 km Championships in Providence, R.I.
Now in its 12th year, USATF’s Athlete of the Week program is designed to recognize outstanding performers at all levels of the sport. USATF names a new honoree each week and features the athlete on www.usatf.org . Selections are based on top performances and results from the previous week.
2013 Winners: January 9, Bobby Mack; January 16, Mary Cain; January 22, Ajeé Wilson; January 30, Duane Solomon; February 6, Chris Derrick; February 13, Jeremy Taiwo; February 20, Alysia Montaño;February 27, Galen Rupp; March 6, Jenn Suhr; March 13, Tia Brooks; March 20, Bridget Franek; March 27, Ben True; April 3, Darvis “Doc” Patton; April 10, Octavious Freeman; April 24, Erik Kynard; May 1, Queen Harrison; May 8, Tyson Gay; May 15, Jon Olsen; May 22, Mary Cain; May 29, Michael Tinsley;June 5, Mary Cain; June 12, Brianna Rollins; June 26, Brianna Rollins; July 3, Thomas Burns; July 10, Ryan Whiting; July 17, William Bell. Sr.; July 24, Jenny Simpson; July 31, Tia Jones; August 14, Brittney Reese; August 21, LaShawn Merritt; August 28, Megan Glasmann; September 4, Matt Tegenkamp;September 11, Mandy Ortiz; September 18, David Oliver; September 25, Molly Huddle; October 3, Desi Davila; October 10, Kathryn Martin; October 17, Michael Mannozzi; October 24, Matt Flaherty; October 30, Kelly Calway; November 7, Tatyana McFadden; November 18, Molly Huddle.
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