by Clay Shaw Photography by Clay Shaw and Karen Mitchell
Annie Rodenfels of Newtown, MA won the USATF Women’s 6K Championships in 18:03. When interviewed on stage at the awards ceremony Annie said “she knows how the lose this race.” After two podium positions in 2022 and 2023, Rodenfels led on the big downhill past the Palace Theatre, and from there she went on to win by 13 seconds.
Amanda Vestri of Blowing Rock, NC was second in 18:16. Emma Grace Hurley of Zionsville, IN was third in 18:20. The three podium placers were posing with USA flags after the race.
Abby Nichols of Flagstaff had a wicked finishing kick to place fourth in 18:36, catching Rachel Smith just before the finish line. Smith was clocked at 18:37.
Twenty-two women made up the elite field. Steph Bruce of Flagstaff, AZ was the only masters runner in the elite field; she finished ninth in 18:59.
293 women raced in the community event. Adding the 22 elites, the finisher total was 315. Liz Wamsley of Pacif, MO broke the tape in 20:37 to lead the community 6k.
The race has been the USATF Women’s 6km Championships since 2021, its first year. Previous winners were Taylor Werner in 18:21 in 2021, Keira D’Amato in 17:52 in 2022 (on June 4), and Ednah Kurgat in 18:31 in 2023.
Annie Rodenfels of Newton, MA wins the 2024 USATF Women’s 6k Championships in 18:03.
Annie Rodenfels of Newton, MA runs by the fountain on Market Street on her way to a 13-second victory in 18:03.
A four-woman pack passes the Palace Theatre on Market Street coming off a big downhill. From left it’s Annika Reiss, Amaris Tyynismaa, Kasandra Parker, and Steph Bruce.
Amanda Vestri of Blowing Rock, NC was second in 18:16.
Amanda Vestri of Blowing Rock, NC finishes second in 18:16.
Emma Grace Hurley of Zionsville, IN was third in 18:20.
Emma Grace Hurley of Zionsville, IN sprints for third in 18:20.
Rachel Smith of Flagstaff, AZ was fifth in 18:37.
Abby Nichols of Flagstaff, AZ was fourth in 18:36.
Emily Durgin of Flagstaff, AZ was sixth in 18:47.
Natosha Rogers of Chapel Hill, NC was seventh in 18:54.
Kasandra Parker of Rochester Hills, MI sprints with Steph Bruce of Flagstaff, AZ, and Amaris Tyynismaa of Durham, NC.
Kasandra Parker of Rochester Hills, MI was 11th in 19:02.
Claire Green of San Francisco was 12th in 19:14.
Alycia Cridebring of Flagstaff, AZ was 13th in 19:17.
Sarah Disanza of Rochester Hills, MI was 14th in 19:20.
Makayla Perez of Rochester Hills, MI was 15th in 19:27.
Alsu Lenneman of Novi, MI was 16th in 19:55.
Stephanie Sherman of Rochester Hills, MI was 18th in 20:04. Mackenna Curtis-Collins of Boulder, CO was 17th in 20:01.
Maura Lemon of Dayton, OH was 19th in 20:14.
Evie Miller of Fort Wayne, IN was 20th in 20:42.
Annie Rodenfels, the 2024 champion poses with the flag and two youngsters after her victory.
Claire Green of San Francisco, CA has a great smile. Green was 12th in 19:14.
Liz Wamsley of Pacific, MO wins the Community 6K in 20:37.
Molly Thomsen of Superior, CO was 21st in 21:02. Girls on the Run group cheers her on.
Annie Rodenfels of Newton, MA the 2024 USATF Women’s 6k champion is originally from Waynesville, Ohio.
USATF Women’s 6K top ten with race executive director Tina Ryee and Girls On The Run.
Two extraordinary women!! @tinaoryee Tina Ryee, Women’s 6km Festival Executive Director and @fitzness Fitz Koehler Race announcer (all over the country), author of numerous books, fitness expert. (Photo by Karen Mitchell)
Runner's Gazette 
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