Kelati, Hunter Eye Repeat Victories at USATF 5 km Road Championships

NEW YORK, NY – After thrilling victories last year, Weini Kelati and Drew Hunter are ready to test their talent against incredible fields Saturday at the USATF 5 km Road Championships presented by Toyota hosted by the Abbott Dash to the Finish Line 5K in New York City.

The USATF 5 km Championships are the second-to-last stop on the 2022 USATF Running Circuit presented by Toyota. Fans can tune-in for the live broadcast, free to view, beginning at 8:20am ET on USATF.TV, with the men’s race starting at 8:30am ET and the women’s race beginning at 8:35am ET.

In 2021, Kelati dominated the women’s race, crossing the finish in 15:18, besting the field by an incredible 27 seconds. The former University of New Mexico standout has had a strong 2022 season, placing second behind Alicia Monson at the USATF Cross Country Championships, fifth at the USATF 10,000m Championships, and fourth in the 5000m at the USATF Outdoor Championships. Her front running tactics will once again be on display in New York City.

While Kelati will face a very strong field, perhaps her toughest competition will come from Emily Infeld. Infeld’s 2022 campaign got off to a strong start, as she finished third at both the USATF Cross Country Championships and USATF 15 km Championships. She then took her fitness to another level, placing third in the 5000m at the USATF Outdoor Championships, coming back to Eugene later in the summer to run in the 5000m final at the World Athletics Championships.

Natosha Rogers is another top contender in the field. Rogers was fourth in the 2021 USATF 5 km Championships, then came back this year to place third at the USATF 10,000m Championships, beating both Infeld and Kelati, who finished fourth and fifth, with Rogers earning a spot on Team USA. Rogers then placed fifth in the 5000m at the USATF Outdoor Championships before placing 15th in the 10,000m at the World Athletics Championships. 

Three-time Olympian Jenny Simpson is also entered. Simpson, who recently announced her transition from the track to road racing, has had a very quiet 2022 season. However, Simpson won the Army Ten-Miler in early October in Washington DC and will look to challenge for the victory on Saturday.

Other notable contenders in the women’s race include USATF Running Circuit veterans Emily Lipari, wbo won the USATF 1 Mile Road Championships earlier this year, Erika Kemp, who placed third at the USATF 5 km Road Championships last year, Eleanor Fulton, who placed tenth in the 5000m at the USATF Outdoor Championships, and Andrea Rodenfels, who placed sixth in the steeplechase at the USATF Outdoor Championships.

For the men’s field, defending champion Drew Hunter returns with hopes of repeating as champion. Last year, Hunter edged Matthew Centrowitz in the final strides of the race, winning in 13:53. Hunter has had a solid 2022 season, having run 13:34 for 5000m on the track and placed fifth in the 3000m at the USATF Indoor Championships. Hunter will look to finish his season on a high note, contending for the victory once again in New York City.

Coming into Saturday’s race, Abdihamid Nur is considered the strongest pre-race favorite. Nur has had a season to remember. The Northern Arizona University multi-time All-American placed third in the 5000m at the USATF Outdoor Championships. He followed that up with an 11th place finish at the World Athletics Championships in the 5000m, while running sub-13:10 twice this season. While he hasn’t raced since the World Championships, Nur will certainly challenge for the win. 

Sam Chelanga is another top contender capable of winning Saturday. Chelanga currently sits second in the USATF Running Circuit standings with 60 points. The veteran has four top three finishes to his name this season on the circuit, including a runner-up finish at the USATF 10 Mile Road Championships. Despite thriving in the longer distances, Chelanga still has plenty of speed, having finished 14th in the 5000m at the USATF Outdoor Championships. 

Not to be overlooked, Hillary Bor is entered and should be a top contender. Bor not only won the 3000m steeplechase title at the USATF Outdoor Championships, but finished eighth in the final at the World Athletics Championships. He’s had a relatively quiet season since the World Championships, but like Nur, he cannot be overlooked.

Tinman Elite teammates Brian Barraza and Joseph Berriatua enter Saturday’s contest with plenty of experience on the course. The duo finished sixth and eighth respectively at the 2021 USATF 5 km Road Championships. Barraza also has a ninth place finish to his name this season in the 3000m steeplechase at the USATF Outdoor Championships. 

Other top entries include Mason Ferlic, who placed sixth in the steeplechase at the USATF Outdoor Championships, young pros Christian Noble and Alec Basten, well-rounded standout Willy Fink, and 2019 USATF Indoor mile and USATF Outdoor 1500m champion Craig Engels.

On demand race videos, results, and post-race interviews will be available shortly after the race in cooperation with RunnerSpace.com. Join the conversation on Twitter with the hashtag #USARC.

About the USATF Running Circuit

The USATF Running Circuit presented by Toyota 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