Leininger Runs Personal Best at Raleigh Relays

Dylan Hassett and Mark Leininger

In his first race since the USA Olympic Team Trials Marathon in Los Angeles last month, Mark Leininger tested his legs and ran to a new personal best for 10,000 meters on the track at the Raleigh Relays. The former American University standout and current member of ASICS Greenville Track Club-ELITE covered the initial 5K in 14:43 enroute to a final time of 29:28.67  His effort placed him 11th in one of the deepest track 10K fields on the east coast in recent history as he averaged 4:45 per mile pace.

In the women's 10,000, Dylan Hassett ran to a seventh place finish with a fine time of 34:36.79, which is less than 10 seconds off of her personal best. It was also her first competition since the Olympic Trials Marathon. The former College of William & Mary athlete ran with the leaders for the first 6400 meters (passing 5K in 17:17) before slowing ever so slightly. Her final time was a 5:34 per mile pace.

"We are extremely pleased with the performances of both Dylan and Mark in their respective 10Ks," remarked coach Mike Caldwell. "Both athletes ran their first marathon last month, at the Olympic Trials, and we were not sure how they would respond to competition in their first efforts following their recovery cycle. Obviously, they responded very well with very good races tonight."  

GTC-ELITE is sponsored by ASICS, the 44-year old Greenville Track Club, Performance Therapy, Greenville Health System's North Greenville Hospital, ScanSource, Soleus Running Watches, Boston Bill Sunglasses, Roll Recovery, The TD Bank Foundation, The Kroc Center, Carolina Spine and Rehab, The ATI Running Academy, ElliptiGO, the Bare Minimum Track Club and generous individual contributors.

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