PORTLAND, OR -- It was classic cross country conditions for the Pacific Northwest—wet and windy over a muddy course that had eight races over it the day before. They typical comment from the mud-splattered participants after the race was “Wow, was that fun!” Men competed over 8 Km and Women over 6 Km.
OVERALL
It was certainly fun for Max King! The decorated Steeplechase, Mountain, and Cross County runner during his Open career went to the front after the first 300 meters and never looked back. Ahead by 50 meters after the first kilometer, King added to his lead steadily, winning in 26:24. Neil McDonagh, out of Colorado Springs, added to his growing collection of Masters medals with a fine silver medal performance. He had followed his fellow Coloradan, Jeremy Parks, in the chase pack but moved ahead on the 5th kilometer and eventually claimed second with a hundred meters to spare, in 27:38. Parks was third at 27:53. Renee Metivier also enjoyed a solid run up front. The first two times, these two stellar runners from Oregon, Metivier and Carrie Dimoff, met as Masters athletes, the honors went to Dimoff. This time it was Metivier who made an early move to the front and was never headed. The distance between the two was never great and Dimoff made some headway in the last kilometer. But Metivier kept the pressure on the whole way, winning in 22:59. Dimoff finished second in 23:08, with Julia Webb third in 23:19. Metivier enjoyed her third national cross country title as a Masters runner, adding this to her crowns from San Diego and Lubbock.
AGE GRADING
The age grade performance level percentage PLP identifies the athletes with the best performance, adjusted for age. Jeanette Groesz, 76, added to her collection of cross country age grade medals by running the 6 Km in 33:13 for an 82.95 PLP. Joannie Siegler, 68, was not far behind; her 29:55 merited an 81.64. Suzanne La Burt, 62, made the trip from the East Coast worthwhile with an age division win, a team win and a bronze age grade from her 27:50 tour. On the Men’s side, King collected a rare double! It is not often that the overall winner will also top the age grade leaderboard. But King, 45, ran to an 85.97 PLP, leaving him a good percentage point ahead of Mark Zamek, 62, out of the Twin Cities. Zamek’s nifty 31:02 placed him second at 84.59. Parks, 48, earned 83.38. That gave him a matched set of bronzes.
AGE DIVISION
From the Overall podium, King and McDonagh won M45 and M40, respectively. From Age-Grading, Zamek won M60. Other national champions included: M50 Gregory Mitchell 29:20 M55 Emmet Hogan 30:22 M65 Ken Youngers 34:45 M70 Kevin Dollard 37:26 M75 David Crawford 40:34 M80 Jeffrey Dumas 47:28 M85 Roland Cormier 1:10:50. Metivier won W40. The age grading podium, Groesz, Siegler, and La Burt, won W75, W65, and W60, respectively. Other national champions included: W45 Gretchen Hurlbutt 24:38 W50 Carla McAlister 26:48 W55 Wendy Terris 27:28 W70 Susan Stirrat 35:47 W80 Michele Watson W85 Joyce Hodges-Hite 1:37:04. TEAMS: The Shore Athletic Club took wins in W60+ and M70+. Otherwise it was a different team winning each 10-year division. W40+ Team Red Lizard W50+ Club Northwest W70+ Impala Racing M40+ West Valley Track Club M50+ Bowerman Track Club M60+ Greater Springfield Harriers.
Next up on the Masters National Grand Prix schedule of Championships are the 2026 Club Cross Championships on Sunday, January 11th. Details at: 2025-26 USATF National Club Cross Country Championships | USA Track & Field.
Submitted by Paul Carlin