The TEN 10K Poised for a Lightning-Quick Showdown
For 4 years, Sound Working’s ‘The TEN’ has been the gold commonplace for 10K racing. Quick fields, splendid Southern California climate, and cutting-edge pacing lights have created the proper setting for large performances.
Annually, high runners from world wide journey to San Juan Capistrano to chase Private Bests, Olympic requirements, and Nationwide Data. Because the occasion prepares for its fifth version, all indicators level to 2025 being the quickest yr but.
The Ladies’s Race Might Break Data
This yr’s area is deep, with skilled veterans and rising stars trying to make historical past. Ethiopia’s Lemlem Hailu is the headliner. She is one in every of solely 20 ladies to ever run below half-hour, and she or he enters this race in high form after a giant half-marathon private greatest.
She received’t be alone on the entrance. Elise Cranny, Lauren Ryan, Weini Kelati, and Dom Scott have all damaged 31 minutes, and so they did it proper right here at previous editions of ‘The TEN.’ They know the monitor, the tempo, and what it takes to run quick below the lights.
Just a few wild playing cards may shake issues up. Olympian Courtney Wayment, greatest recognized for her steeplechase success, is stepping up in distance. Her teammate Ella Donaghu, who has by no means raced past 5000 meters, is making an analogous bounce. In the meantime, street specialists Amanda Vestri, Taylor Roe, and Jessica McClain are coming all the way down to 10,000 meters and may very well be surprises in a area stacked with monitor specialists.
With a lot expertise on the beginning record, solely a handful of ladies will actually be in rivalry when the ultimate laps arrive. However one factor is obvious—this area is constructed for pace.
The Males’s Race Has No Clear Favourite
On the boys’s aspect, the entrance of the race shall be led by two of the world’s greatest. South Africa’s Adrian Wildschuut (26:50) and Eritrea’s Habtom Samuel (26:53) are the one runners within the area with sub-27-minute credentials. However proper behind them is a deep group of contenders.
Seven males within the race have run below 27:25, and one other 9 have 5000-meter bests below 13:10. Ethiopia’s Telahun Haile Bekele, the ninth-fastest 5000-meter runner in historical past, will make his 10,000-meter debut. If his pace interprets to the longer distance, he may very well be an actual menace.
March 16 ,2024, photograph by Kevin Morris
A robust American group can be within the combine. Anthony Rotich (27:08), Sean McGorty (27:18), Drew Hunter (27:38), and Dillon Maggard (27:37) are all able to tackle the most effective on the planet. Patrick Dever and Charles Hicks from Nice Britain, together with Australia’s Morgan McDonald, add to the worldwide depth.
One runner to look at is Romain Legendere, a school star from Adams State. He has by no means raced this distance however lately ran 13:02 for 5000 meters in Boston. If he handles the bounce properly, he may have a breakout efficiency.
Why ‘The TEN’ Delivers Each 12 months
This occasion has grow to be a must-watch for monitor followers. It’s quick. It’s aggressive. And it brings the most effective on the planet collectively on a monitor that has seen a few of the greatest performances in current reminiscence.
The circumstances in Southern California hardly ever disappoint. The pacing is about up for fulfillment. And in a yr when runners need to hit Olympic qualifying instances, each lap will matter.
Data may fall. Olympic goals may very well be made. And one other chapter in ‘The TEN’s’ rising historical past shall be written. Prepare for an evening of unbelievable racing.
To be taught extra about The 10k, offered by HOKA, please simply click on right here. FloTrack shall be offering reside streaming video on the meet, and RunBlogRun will present virtually reside social media on FB, X and IG. Look ahead to our submit occasion story as properly.
