Leo Manzano will be making the trip to the Boston area to compete in the Adrian Martinez Classic in Concord this Thursday Evening. In addition to winning the Silver Medal at the 2012 Olympics in the 1500, Manzano is an eight-time medalist at the U.S. Championships. He is among the most accomplished middle-distance runners in U.S. history. The Hoka sponsored event will feature the following athletes many other National Caliber Track and Field athletes as well.
- · Former Haverhill star Pat Fullerton ran 3:58 for a road mile last year; but to count as an official sub-4, the mile has to be run on the track. So he'll be taking a crack Thursday night
- Brian Gagnon, formerly of Lowell HS and University of Connecticut, is now training with an elite group in New Jersey, the NJ/NY Track Club, which is coached by legendary coach Frank Gagliano. He is among the top ranked 800m runners in the nation. The men’s 800 might be the toughest race of the night, with 5 men who have run 1:46 or better. Gagnon will face fierce competition from former U. Maine standout Riley Masters; 2010 World Junior Silver Medalist Cas Loxsom; Ugandan Olympian Julius Mutekanga; and Dorian Ulrey, who represented Team USA at the 2009 World Championships in the 1500.
- · The women’s 800m features U.S. Olympian and former American record-holder in the Steeplechase, Anna Willard, who now trains with the BAA. She will face a very talented field, including Geena Gall-Lara, who helped Team USA to a gold medal in the 4x800 at the IAAF World Relay Championships two weeks ago.
- · The women’s 5000m field includes Olympian Amy Hastings (she trains in Providence with another coaching legend, Ray Treacy), Providence standout Emily Sisson, Jessica (Pixler) Tebo, and a host of others.
- · The men’s 5000 features three athletes who have run under 14:00 for the distance, led by Iona alum (and British National) Mitch Goose at 13:34.
- · The women’s Adro Mile is headlined by Amanda Winslow, former Florida State standout, who has a PR of 4:26. In close competition will be Tufts alum Cat Beck, whose 1500 PR converts to about 4:27, and a host of women with PRs right around 4:30.
- · In the men’s Adro Mile, locals like Pat Fullerton and BU record-holder Rich Peters will face a most daunting prospect: Taking on Leo Manzano.
These athletes and many more will compete at the 2014 Adrian Martinez Classic. The Martinez Classic, which also offers mile races for all ages and abilities, is a memorial for former Concord-Carlisle and Williams runner Adrian Martinez, and a fundraiser for the Adrian Martinez Scholarship Fund, and the Friends of CCHS Track and Field.