Kansas City Blues

Photo: Kyle McKinley

ASICS Greenville Track Club-ELITE's Annie Rodenfels experienced some Kansas City Blues on Saturday night at the Trials of Miles Kansas City Qualifier. After having run a basically solo effort in qualifying for June's USATF Olympic Trials in the 3000-meter Steeplechase with her 9:46.98 performance on April 10 at the Flames Invitational at Lee University, Annie had her sights set on dipping under 9:40 at this unique meeting. Unfortunately, her race did not go as planned as she finished eighth in a field of fourteen with a time of 10:00.31. 

Marisa Howard, representing Idaho Afoot, broke away from the field and held off a late charge by Great Britain's Amiee Pratt to win with an outstanding time of 9:32.75. Pratt's 9:38.99 was good for second, ahead of another British runner--Lizzie Bird (9:44.52). Kathy Kunc ran 9:44.59 to join Howard under the 9:50.0 qualifying standard for the USA Olympic Trials. While easily qualifying for the USA OTs, in Eugene, OR, Howard's time was just short of the 9:30.0 qualifying standard needed for the Olympic Games (Tokyo).

Annie's post-race Instagram post stated, "Bad day at the track. Legit no explanation for it. Felt ready and have been training really well. For some reason got in the race and just let it get away from me and didn't fight at all. On well. Onto the next. I'll be upset for a day or three. Take what I can learn from it and move on."

The event was the second of three "Olympic and Olympic Trials Qualifiers" promoted and conducted by Trials of Miles Racing, sponsored by Heartbreak Run Co., and live-streamed and announced by CitiusMag on YouTube. This meet was run at the University of St. Mary in Leavenworth, KS--just across the Missouri River from Kansas City, MO. 

GTC-ELITE was established in 2012. The program produced four qualifiers for the 2016 USA Olympic Trials Marathon in Los Angeles, one qualifier/participant for the 2019 Pan American Games Marathon in. Lima, Peru, three qualifiers/two participants for the 2020 USA Olympic Trials Marathon in Atlanta, GA and now one for the 3,000-meter Steeplechase in 2021 at Eugene, OR.  Also, the group set four South Carolina State road race records in 2020 (5K, 15K and Half Marathon).  The post-collegiate, Olympic development program is sponsored by ASICS, the 49-year-old Greenville Track Club, Joy Real Estate (Adopt an Athlete partner), the Borch Foundation, generous individual contributors and partnerships with Performance Therapy, Carolina Spine and Rehab, Roll Recovery products, FinalSurge (on-line training log), The ATI Running Academy, ElliptiGO, NormaTec Recovery Boots, Cocoa Elite recovery products, Stryd Running, Coach Bob Williams Pace Calculator, the DorsiFlex (stretching device), the MOBO board (balance & mobility), On Pace Wellness (nutrition coaching) and LEVER Running (treadmill body weight support).  The club is a proud and active member of both the Road Runners Club of America and  USATF.​