Beadlescomb, Rodenfels Power to Victory at the USATF 5 km Championships

USATF Release

NEW YORK, New York – It was a thrilling morning of racing in New York City, as some of the premier runners in the United States came together to race the Abbott Dash to the Finish Line 5K featuring the USATF 5 km Championships, as Morgan Beadlescomb and Annie Rodenfels each claimed victory, while earning their first USATF titles.

On demand race viewing and coverage of the USATF 5 km Championships are available and can be viewed with a +PLUS subscription on USATF.TV.

The men’s race got underway five minutes before the women’s race, as a large pack of runners jumped off the line and grouped together during the very early stages of the race. Beadlescomb, Ahmed Muhumed, and Zach Panning led the way, with Daniel Schaffer, Woody Kincaid, and a host of others running right behind. 

Coming through the half way point, the lead pack remained intact with all of the pre-race favorites grouped together, more than a dozen men working together, Beadlescomb and Muhumed leading the way.

As the pack hit the final mile of the race there were still eight men in contention. Beadlescomb, Muhumed, Tai Dinger, and Schaffer put a small gap on the rest of the pack with a half mile to go and the dash to the finish was on. 

With less than a quarter mile to go, Beadlescomb and Muhumed made it a two man race. The duo ran stride for stride, until Beadlescomb put in one more surge that Muhumed couldn’t match, as the former Michigan State standout charged to his first USATF title, crossing the line in 13:44.

Muhumed held off the late kicks of Dinger and Schaffer, claiming the runner-up position in 13:47, improving two spots from his fourth place finish in 2022. Dinger earned third and Schaffer took fourth, each finishing with the same time as Muhumed in 13:47.

Brian Barraza improved one spot on his 2022 finish in New York, claiming fifth in 13:48, while Kincaid took home sixth in 13:49. Anthony Camerieri finished in seventh three seconds back in 13:52, while Zach Panning, Willy Fink, and Noah Carey rounded out the top ten, placing 8-10 and all finishing in 13:54.

As the horn sounded the start of the women’s race, it was Weini Kelati jumping to the lead and pushing the pace early on. The two-time USATF 5 km champion looked comfortable up front, as the rest of the field settled in behind her, figuring out if they wanted to continue at Kelati’s pace.

Through the first mile the lead pack came. Kelati still led the charge, but Rodenfels and Keira D’Amato were right on her heels. D’Amato eventually took over the lead, pushed the pace, and even opened a small gap on the Kelati and Rodenfels, as the trio pulled away from the rest of the field.

Passing through half way, the three women each took a turn at the front, challenging the competition and seeing when it might be time to throw in another shift in pace. 

With less than a mile to go, Rodenfels jumped to the lead as the runners crested over a small hill and hit a downhill. Rodenfels gapped Kelati and D’Amato and put two seconds on her competition. The BAA athlete continued to push the pace and with less than half a mile to go it seemed clear Rodenfels was running to victory.

With the finish line in sight, Rodenfels pushed harder, holding off late charges happening behind her, on her way to winning her first USATF title in 15:22.

Closing late in the race, Rachel Smith and Bethany Hasz caught up to Kelati and D’Amato with a half mile to go. The duo continued to surge, with Kelati falling slightly off pace, making it a three woman battle to the finish for second. Smith, who had yet to race in 2023, used her superior speed to pull away and claim second in 15:26, while Hasz took third in 15:27, just ahead of D’Amato in fourth with a time of 15:28. Two-time defending champion Kelati would settle for fifth in 15:30.

After the top five, it was a battle to the finish for sixth. Katie Camarena outdueled Amanda Vestri, pulling away in the final strides of the race to claim sixth in 15:37, while Vestri earned seventh in 15:38. Sammy McClintock placed eighth in 15:41, as Emma Hurley and Danielle Polerecky took home ninth and tenth in 15:46 and 15:52.

The 2023 USATF 5 km Championships are the final stop on the USATF Running Circuit, as Leonard Korir and Ednah Kurgat finish atop of the overall circuit rankings. Korir finished the season with 73 points, well ahead of runner-up Clayton Young, who finished with 57 points. Jacob Thomson placed third with 44 points. 

In the women’s standings, Kurgat claimed the overall circuit win with 64 points. Hurley’s ninth place effort in New York moved her just ahead of Nell Rojas for second overall with 41 points, as Rojas claimed third with 40 points.

About the USATF Running Circuit

The USATF Running Circuit is a USATF road series featuring USATF championships from one mile through the marathon and consistently attracts the best American distance runners with more than $500,000 to be awarded in total prize money. A total of $60,000 in prize money will be awarded at the USATF 5 km Road Championships.

The first ten U.S. runners earn points at each USATF Running Circuit race. For the USATF 5 km Championships, scoring is set as 15 for first, 12 for second, 10 for third, 7 ,6, 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1, with those earning the most points receiving prize money at the end of the series.

The mission of the USATF Running Circuit is to showcase, support and promote U.S. runners. Since its inception in 1995, the USATF Running Circuit and its races have provided over $7 million to U.S. distance runners.

Contributed by Scott Bush