This Saturday at the Portland Track Festival in Oregon, the men’s and women’s masters races have potential to generate a handful of American records. Joanna Harper, organizer of the masters women’s 3000, writes: “Carmen Ayala-Troncoso will be back and might challenge her 10:06 W50 AR set last year in this meet. The most exciting action will come in 45-49 year age group. No fewer than three women have a realistic chance to break the 9:57 mark of Monica Joyce. All three of them turned 45 this year and are looking for belated birthday presents. Three-time world champion Lisa Valle returns after placing second in the race last year. Lisa’s ability to hold a fast pace and kick hard at the conclusion of the race makes her a feared competitor. If she can match the 9:56 she ran last year, the record is hers. That is, unless Tania Fischer or Kirsten Leetch beat her to the line.”

Lisa Valley, shown at 2010 Sacto nationals, is a favorite at Portland 3000.

Joanna continues about the women’s 3K

Tania won the prestigious masters crown at this year’s Carlsbad race. Kirsten Leetch led Lisa in this race last year with 200 to go only to succumb to Lisa’s finish. She later went on to run a very impressive 16:59 on the track in San Francisco.

The record action may not stop there. The newest name in the 55-59 year age group is Miriam Zderic. And she is literally a new name, having changed her moniker from Mary Steinberg. She has been tearing up the roads and tracks this spring and her 10:50 seed time puts her less than 3 seconds off of Kathy Martin’s W55 AR.

Last but by no means least; the race will serve as a coming out party for newly minted master’s runner Grace Padilla. Grace recently celebrated her 40th birthday with a 4:28 1500 meter race with the kiddies. The mark is under the listed W40 AR but has company in that category. Grace should be the race favorite Saturday night.

Since I am the coordinator of the old ladies race, I am partial to it, but I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the men’s mile. Nolan Shaheed is the marquee performer but local stars Mike Blackmore and Tim Julian will vie with former British sub-4-minute miler Ian Gillespie for the overall crown. There will also be some races featuring younger runners, but that’s another story.

Here are entries as of June 7:

Event 287 1 Mile Run Masters Men
Meet: 4:14.47 6/13/2009 Jim Sorenson, Unattached
Comp# Name Team Seed Time
1 70 Gillespie, Ian Bowerman AC 4:25.00
2 225 Julian, Tim Unattached 4:35.00
3 193 Dudman, Joe Team Red Lizard 4:47.00
4 103 Spinney, Ed Hackers 4:50.00
5 259 Swanson, Jonathan Unattached NT
6 261 Shaheed, Nolan Unattached NT
7 257 Norman, Chad Unattached NT
8 258 Blackmore, Mike Bowerman AC NT

Event 89 3000 Meter Run Masters Women
Meet: 9:56.26 6/13/2009 Trina Painter, McMillan Elite
Comp# Name Team Seed Time
1 299 Mosqueda, Sylvia Unattached 9:30.00
2 120 Padilla, Grace Nike Central Par 9:33.00
3 213 Valle, Lisa Unattached 9:56.00
4 195 Leetch, Kirsten The Janes El 9:59.00
5 194 Fischer, Tania The Janes El 10:01.00
6 207 Olen, Christine Unattached 10:03.00
7 198 Ayala-Troncoso, Carmen Unattached 10:06.00
8 306 MacTavish, Kate Unattached 10:44.00
9 136 Zderic, Miriam Oiselle Running 10:50.00
10 205 Harvey, Sabra Unattached 11:45.00