Diane Sherrer, running columnist for the Ithaca Journal, again has done a great job of previewing the Hartshorne masters miles at Cornell University. Most interesting is her handicapping potential records this weekend. Diane writes: “Among the possibilities: A new meet record in the women’s elite race (5:02.69). A world-record attempt in the women’s 40-44 age group. A world record attempt in the women’s 45-49 age group. A new meet record in the men’s elite 40-49 race (4:17.84). And a world-record attempt in the men’s 45-49 age group. (The Hartshorne Masters Mile has been the site of three ratified age-group world records for women.)”

Here are the top entrants, according to Diane’s column:
Groton cross country coach Scott Weeks again will serve as the elite men’s rabbit (pace-setter).
Here are the top-seeded elite men to watch:
John Hinton, 43, Chapel Hill, N.C. — Won the 2006 national masters M40 indoor mile title (4:16), and placed second in the 800 meters (1:56). At the outdoor national masters championships, he won gold medals in the 1,500 meters (4:08.99) and 800 (1:59).
Anselm LeBourne, 47, Maplewood, N.J. — Won the 2005 Hartshorne Mile (4:23), and in 2002-03. Won gold medals among M45 in the 800 and 1,500 at the 2005 World Masters Championships in Spain. Holds the M45 world record in the indoor 800 (1:56.29). If he’s in shape, could have a shot at the M45 indoor mile world record (4:21.90).
Allains Boucher, 44, Kanata, Ontario — A former member of the Canadian national team; recently posted a 4:34 mile in an open race at the Dartmouth Relays.
Gladstone Jones, 42, Bronx — Placed third in the 2006 Hartshorne elite mile (4:35:12) by outkicking fourth and fifth-place by micro seconds.
Jim Derick, 41, Big Flats — Placed fourth in the 2006 Hartshorne elite mile (4:35.29); the top-ranked open and masters runner in all distances in the Twin Tiers, winning almost every race he entered in 2006.
Tom Dalton, 48, Schenectady — Two-time runner-up at Hartshorne, third in 2003, fourth in 2005, fifth in 2006.
Top local: Casey Carlstrom, 47, Ithaca — Placed second in the Messenger Masters Mile in December, and won it in 2005.
Those to watch in the elite men’s veterans’ mile (50-59) race, with the top five capable of sub 4:50s (Eric Davis of Ithaca will serve as rabbit):
Jim Robinson, 53, Rochester — Runner-up in the 2006 Hartshorne elite vet mile (4:43.58;); one of the best M50 track and cross country runners in the U.S.; won the M50 gold medal in the steeplechase at the 2006 outdoor masters nationals; former gold medalist in the national masters indoor 800 and 3,000 meters.
Steve Chantry, 51, Williamsburg, Va. — In 2006, won M50 national championship titles in the 3,000, one mile and 800 meters indoors. Third-place at 2006 Hartshorne veterans’ elite mile.
Tom Ryan, 51, Cape Elizabeth, Maine — Won M50 bronze medal at indoor nationals in the 3,000; M50 individual champion at 5K cross country nationals. Fourth at 2006 Hartshorne elite veterans’ mile.
Alston Brown, 57, Mount Vernon — Former M55 world record holder in the 400 meters; won the M50 entire division (not just M55) at the 2006 Fifth Avenue Mile (4:51).
Bob Carroll, 50, Orchard Park — Outstanding cross country season at 5K masters nationals and the Upstate New York Cross Country Series.
Here are the top-seeded women to watch in the elite mile, with hopes for a world record or two. Hollie Rhodes of Elmira will serve as the women’s rabbit:
Alisa Harvey, 41, Manassas, Va. — The No. 1 female masters miler in the world. Owns the W35 (4:48.52) and W40 (4:50.95) world record in the indoor mile. Owns the American indoor 800 meter records for W35 (2:06.62) and W40 (2:07.23), and the W35 1,500-meter record (4:27.00) Two weeks ago, lowered her own W40 indoor mile record to 4:47.2, pending ratification.
Marisa Hanson, 43, Pleasant Valley — Won the 2006 Hartshorne elite women’s mile in a meet record 5:02.69. Ended 2006 ranked No. 1 in U.S. in the indoor 1,500 meters (4:36.7).
Zofia Wieciorkowska, 43, Stratford, Conn. — American citizen, but holds Polish masters records in 200, 400, 800, 1,500 and steeplechase.
Leslie Chaplin Swann, 48, McDonough, Ga. — Current W45 800-meter world champion; holds W45 American records in the indoor 800, 1,500, 3,000 and mile (5:08.81); and outdoors in the 1,500 meters. Currently ranked No. 1 in the U.S. among W45 in all middle distances.
Becky Heuer Carroll, 42, Orchard Park — Long-time, top-ranked sub-masters at Hartshorne, and served as the rabbit for masters milers. Outstanding track and cross country runner. Placed second to Hanson among W40s at the 5K cross country nationals.
Top local: Gillian Sharp, 45, Ithaca — A lieutenant in the Ithaca Fire Department; won the masters title in the Upstate New York XC Series; placed third W45 at 5K XC nationals; won the W40 national indoor mile title in 2003; third W40 at Hartshorne in 2003; world-class biathlete.
Me again:
Pete Taylor will announce the races, and he has promised a report on the day’s events.