Super Start to 2024 Road Race Grand Prix

StretchLab Super Sunday 4 miler USATF-NE Championship draws record field
February 11

Over 600 USATF member entrants took advantage of comfortable February racing conditions to kick off the 2024 USATF-NE Grand Prix at the first road championship of the eyar, the StretchLab Super Sunday 4 Miler hosted by Millennium Running in Bedford, New Hampshire.  Overcast skies, 44 degree temperatures at the start, and a windless day produced good early year times.  The course covered the flat portion of the Bedford 12k from a decade ago.  Shorter race distances always produces closer placings in the team scoring, and many placings were decided by less than a minute after totaling five scorers' times (3 in age 60+ and 70+ divisions). 
 
Overall winner Paul Arrendondo (Unattached) sped to a fine early season time of 18:56, 18 seconds ahead of Andrew Cromption of Battle Road TC, the first club runner; 11 runners including top master Ed Baker (Tracksmith Boston Hares, 19:55) bettered 20:00. The Boston Athletic Association secured the team title, averaging 19 seconds better per runner than Tracksmith. 

Only returning from a European trip on Saturday, women's winner Holly Rees (Battle Road TC) didn't let "jet lag" affect  her performance, clocking 21:59 for the course and leading Battle Road TC to the team title as well. Lianne Farber followed Rees at 22:26 and was number one runner for second place team Tracksmith.  19 women recorded times of 24:00 and faster, with Erin Genova (Tracksmith), first 40+ finisher, hitting that mark exactly.

Race entries topped 1700, the highest in event history.  Thanks to Millennium Running for producing a championship worthy of the title!

Photos for downloading and sharing for free, courtesy of Millennium Running sponsor AutoFair Automotive Group.

The Championship Series continues on Sunday, March 17 when the New Bedford Half Marathon returns to the GP schedule for the first time since 2019. 

Results - MillenniumRunning.com
Team and individual series standings will be posted at the 2024 Grand Prix Page after full results eligibility review.