RRW: Elite Track Returns To Boston Area On Saturday
By David Monti, @d9monti
(c) 2020 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved
(17-Jul) — The first elite outdoor track meet in the Boston area in over a year will take place on Saturday when the MVMNT Race Series makes it’s debut. A small meeting organized by Jonathan Green, best known as the coach of Olympics-bound marathoner Molly Seidel, it will have three disciplines: a 1500m for women and 10,000m races for both men and women.
Molly Seidel finishing second at the 2020 USA Olympic Team Trials Women’s Marathon in Atlanta (photo by Jane Monti for Race Results Weekly)
The exact location of the meeting is not being publicly disclosed because gatherings of over 100 people are not permitted in the state of Massachusetts due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Green, who said that all athletes are required to have two negative COVID-19 tests during the week of the meet, wants to make sure that everyone stays safe.
“Only credentialed people will be allowed into the venue,” Green explained in an e-mail to Race Results Weekly. He added: “We are keeping the location as secret as possible to avoid unwanted spectators.”
Instead of attending the meet, fans can watch remotely via the @citiusmag Instagram account. The events begin at 6:00 p.m. EDT.
The women’s 10,000m is the most competitive event, featuring both Seidel and 2016 Olympian Abbey Cooper (née D’Agostino). All marks will count as potential qualifiers for next year’s USA Olympic Trials as the meet is fully USATF-compliant.
The schedule and entry lists (with personal bests) are as follows; entry lists are subject to change:
Women’s 1500m, 6:00 p.m.
Brenna Detra, Boston AA, Debut
Dana Giordano, Boston AA, 4:08.62
Audrey Belf, Unattached, 4:22.99
Nicole Borofski, Boston AA, 4:26.91
Men’s 10,000m, 6:15 p.m.
Zach Panning, Hansons-Brooks, 28:23.86
Ian La Mere, Hansons-Brooks, 28:38.63
Ben Kendell, Hansons-Brooks, 29:00.15
Abdisamed Abdi, Hansons-Brooks, Debut
Women’s 10,000m, 7:00 p.m.
Molly Seidel, Saucony, 32:24.78
Aisling Cuffe, Saucony, Debut
Abbey Cooper, New Balance, 33:10.38
Emily Durgin, Under Armour, 32:23.40
Natosha Rogers, Hansons-Brooks, 31:54.62
Olivia Pratt, Hansons-Brooks, 33:08.31
Keira D’Amato, Unattached, 33:43.86
The meet also has a charitable component. Green is hoping to raise money for Good Sports, a Massachusetts-based not-for-profit that creates opportunities in sports and outdoor activities for children in low-income communities. Those interested in donating can do so here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/mvm
“The goal of the MVMNT Race Series is to create an event for athletes to take advantage of their fitness while also raising money for charity,” Green said through a statement. “We are asking athletes to help raise money for Good Sports. Whether this is through social media or through a donation, all is appreciated.”