Katz and Boulder Road Runners Win Titles at USATF Masters Cross Country Championships

Results 

On Saturday (7-October) six (6) athletes from Colorado competed in the USATF Masters 5 km Cross Country Championships in Boca Raton, FL. The championships, were the tenth and final race in the 2023 USATF National Masters Grand Prix. A total of 114 athletes (78 men and 36 women) competed in the championships; ranging in age from 40 to 90. The race conditions were hot and humid with temperatures reaching the mid-80s with 85% humidity.

Four of the six Coloradans that competed earned trips to the awards podium for finishing in the top three in their age division; including the national title won by Richard Katz in the 75-79 division and the national team title won by the Boulder Road Runners M70+ team.

Katz, who just turned 75 last month, took full advantage of entering a new division as he won the 75-79 division in a time of 24:48. He defeated Jerry Learned of Georgia by 1 minute and 48 seconds to win his first USATF national title.

Katz's younger Boulder Road Runner M70+ teammates ran to a team victory with a total time of 1:09:44. The team scorers were Bruce Kirschner (2nd M70-74; 22:48), Douglas Chesnut (3rd M70-74; 22:51), and Doug Bell (6th M70-74; 24:05).  The Shore Athletic Club from New Jersey finished second with a team time of 1:25:04 and the Atlanta Track Club finished third with a team time of 1:28:56.

Earning a silver medal in the women's 40-44 division was Alex Dietrich, 44, in a time of 24:49.

John Blaser, 66, finished eighth in the men's 65-69 division running 22:23.