On The Run

Welcome to my first running blog. At times, the staff or I will give our views on new product, races we’ve run, cross country, track, maybe even music reviews. Give us some feedback on these columns or topics you’d like covered.

I watched the MIAC XC race Saturday at Como Golf Course on an absolutely perfect day for racing. Mid fifties, sunny sky, and the smell of leaves in the air. Unlike other sports, we can park for free, no admission, you can literally touch the runners. I got to run on a very giving grass surface, got my hill workout in while I watched 700 college athletes lay it on the line. Fifty year old guys like me can stride along the course and drift back to our glory days. Alumni gather round school flags and recap old times. The stories get better with age.

There is something pure about the sport of running. No officials needed, first to last runners were cheered. Only one can win the race, but who compete are winners. Just finishing as part of a team is a reward that most of these young men and women will cherish for the rest of their lives.

As for the races:
The heavily favored Ole women (ST Olaf), took it out hard and had six in the top ten for the first half on the race. Carleton’s Simone Childs-Walker led wire to wire. Alison Smyth and Rachael Klehm of Carlton took it out easy, moved up, and joined Simone for a stunning 1-2-3 Carlton finish over their cross town rival. Look for that rivalry to heat up in two weeks at the Waverly regions. Carlton ran a near perfect race to score 33 to runner up St Olaf’s 52. Can they repeat, stay tuned in November.

In the men’s race, Ben Sathre of St Thomas left no doubt as to who’s #1 in the MIAC this year. He led from the gun and ran an awesome 24:54 8k on a very hilly course. Tom Sederquist ofConcordia followed 30 seconds behind Sathre most of the race. But the Hamline pack running paid off. Devin Monson, Jack Reichert, and Ellis Richardson blew by the winded Sederquist in the last half mile to finish 2-3-4. The Hamdogs edged St Olaf mens team 45-54 points for their third title in a row. Look for this senior laden team to make some noise in November at regions. The Johnnies finished a distant third, but seem to peak to regions every year.

Your sideline reporter
Perry Bach