Christie and Michta-Coffey win big at USATF 3000m Race Walk Championships

NEW YORK – With the stage set for the 114th Millrose Games, two national race walk titles were up for grabs on Saturday morning in New York. The 2022 USATF Race Walk Championships were contested at one of the world’s best-known facilities – The Armory.

Nine-time USATF indoor race walk champion Maria Michta-Coffey regained the lead in the women’s 3000m event in the closing stages and held off Miranda Melville down the final straight to win her 10th U.S. indoor title with a 13:24.73 clocking that moved her to No. 6 on the 2022 world list. Michta-Coffey, who won nine straight USATF indoor titles from 2010-18, held the lead through the first kilometer, just ahead of Melville and Katie Burnett. Melville, who broke the American record* in winning the USATF 35 km walk title merely two weeks ago, moved to the front and led by about a half-second through two kilometers, but couldn’t hold it against a determined Michta-Coffey as she placed second in 13:25.70. Burnett staved off a late charge by Janelle Branch to claim the bronze in 13:58.63.
 
In the men’s 3000m race, Nick Christie continued his hot streak with his fourth straight national indoor title and fifth overall, winning in a world-leading 11:43.46. Christie, who won the U.S. 35 km gold just two weeks ago, was well clear of his challengers from the gun and only Canada’s Ben Thorne, competing as a guest, was close as he took second in 11:55.42. Passing the first kilometer in 3:52.94, Christie had an almost two second margin on Thorne, and he stretched that to more than eight seconds as he went through 2K in 7:45.52. Dan Nehnevaj was the second American across the line in 12:08.48, with Emmanuel Corvera completing the podium in third at 12:09.62.
 
Prize money on the line totaled $30,000, with the top prize of $6,000 going to the top male and top female finishers.
 
*Pending verification by USATF Records Committee