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April Lund Never Challenged in Runaway Victory at Master’s Event

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By Clay Shaw
Photography by Clay Shaw and Karen Mitchell

Mechanicsville, VA, January 21, 2023, 2023 USA Cross Country Championships—April Lund, 40, of Bismarck, North Dakota was an easy winner of the master’s women 6K. She finished in 22:03, leading from the start on the long straightaway at Pole Green Park, and won by a convincing 39 seconds. After the race, Lund told reporters that eight years ago she was 100 lbs. heavier and an alcoholic. She emotionally related that she had changed her life through her faith and discipline. After the race, she was also thrilled to meet World XC Champion Craig Virgin.

Brennan Liming of Cary, NC was second in 22:42 and won the 45-49 age group. Fiona Bayly of New City was third in 23:10 and won the 55-59 group. Brett Ely of Marblehead, MA was fourth in 23:42. Kara Rubinich of Downingtown, PA was fifth in 24:02.

Samantha Forde of Santa Cruz, CA was seventh and won the 50-54 group in 24:49. Doreen McCoubrie of West Chester, PA was 13th and tops in the 60-64 group in 25:31. Nora Cary of Morristown, NJ was 18th and won the 65-69 group in 26:22. Kathyrn Martin of Halesite, NY was 25th and tops 70-74 in 27:15. Andrea McCarter of Duluth, GA was 51st and won the 75-79 group in 48:26.

Big time kudos to Joyce Hodges-Hite of Millen, GA who did a 59:27 to place first 85 plus. There were no entrants the 80-84.

Part of the appeal to running clubs are the team awards at the USA cross country champs. By ten-year-old groups, the 40 group was won by Greater Philadelphia Track Club, followed by Pike Creek Valley RC and the Colonial Road Runners. The 50 group was won by Shore Athletic Club, followed by Greater Philadelphia Track Club, and Impala Racing. The 60 group was won by Greater Philadelphia Track Club, and the 70 group was won by the Atlanta Track Club.

Top Finishers

  1. 22:03 April Lund, 40, Bismarck, ND
  2. 22:42 Brennan Liming, 46, Cary, NC
  3. 23:10 Fiona Bayly, 55, New York, NY
  4. 23:42 Brett Ely, 43, Marblehead, MA
  5. 24:02 Kara Rubinich, 44, Downingtown, PA
  6. 24:32 Emily Ward, 40, Richmond, VA
  7. 24:49 Samantha Forde, 50, Santa Cruz, CA
  8. 24:51 Sarah Rusk, 42, Wilmington, DE
  9. 24:52 Erika Holroyd, 44, Wayne, PA
  10. 25:12 Suzanne LaBurt, 59, Lake, NJ
  11. 25:21 Jennifer Ledford, 43, Virginia Beach, VA
  12. 25:24 Catherine Moore, 49, Ashland, VA
  13. 25:31 Doreen McCoubrie, 61, West Chester, PA
  14. 25:39 Darcy L Strouse, 58, Frederick, MD
  15. 25:56 Holly Bugin, 43, New Kent, VA
  16. 26:04 Patricia Heppetmann, 50, Malvern, PA
  17. 26:16 Abby Dean, 51 Wilmington, DE
  18. 26:22 Nora Cary, 67, Morristown, NJ
  19. 26:27 Jacalyn Lembo, 57, Penfield, NY
  20. 26:36 Mary Swan, 61, Jamesville, PA
2023 USATF XC Championships Women’s master 6K start at Pole Green Park in Mechanicsville, VA. April Lund of Bismarck, ND won in 22:03.
April Lund of Bismarck, ND sped away from the women’s masters field and went on to win by 39 seconds.
Brennan Liming of Cary, NC was second overall in the women’s master 6K. Liming ran 22:42 and won the 45-49 age group.
Brett Ely of Marblehead, MA was fourth overall in 23:42 in the women’s master 6K.
Nora Cary #426 of Morristown, NJ races with Terri Rath of Reston, VA in the USATF XC Championships women’s master 6K. Cary was tops in the 65-69 age group.
April Lund of Bismarck, ND wins the women’s master 6K in 22:03 in Pole Green Park.
Sarah Rusk #386 of Wilmington, DE finishes eighth, Erika Holroyd #484 of Wayne, PA places ninth. Their respective teams won 40-49 team titles. Greater Philadelphia TC was first and Pike Creek Valley RC was second.
Doreen McCoubrie of West Chester, PA won the 60-64 age group in 25:31 and was thirteenth overall.
USA Olympian and World XC Champion Craig Virgin enjoys a moment congratulating April Lund of Bismarck, ND after her dominating win the USATF XC women’s masters race.
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