Alisa Harvey, Aeron Genet fall short of Trials qualifiers
On opposite coasts, they shared the same dream: qualify for the U.S. Olympic Trials in the middle distances in their early 40s. But with the June 15 deadline looming for submitting final qualifying marks, Alisa Harvey and Aeron Arlin Genet acknowledge in separate notes that they won’t make it. They won’t be lining up in three weeks in the 800 and 1500, respectively, at the University of Oregon’s Hayward Field. Alisa of Virginia and Aeron of Central California are superstar age-groupers. But at 42 and 41, their marks won’t make the cutoff.
Alisa traveled from her home in Manassas to Indianapolis for a last-chance meet Wednesday. She needed to run about 2:03.5 to make the Trials field, although her indoor 2:05.75 had “provisional” acceptance.
Today Alisa wrote me:
Well, I didn’t run so smart, but I guess I was safe! Loaded field — maybe 16 runners. I was sharing a lane with another runner. I took off hard at the gun. I came through the 200 in 28 seconds. Too fast! I then came through the 400 in 59 seconds. Too fast! At 600 I was in second place at 1:31. I got passed just entering the curve. I began to struggle coming around the curve. On the home straight I locked up and the whole world passed me. I ran 2:09.1.
No Trials for me unless they decide to run 40 women in the 800! I’m just happy to be healthy and running!
Alisa may not realize it, but she ran one of the most courageous races of the season. This was no time for playing it safe. If she was to run 2:03, she had no choice but to split a fast 400.
Here are the results of Alisa’s Indy race:
Women 800 Meter Run
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Name Year Team Finals
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Finals
1 MacLean, Leanna Unattached 2:05.42
2 Schnell, Lindsey Unattached 2:05.85
3 Lee, Venessa Unattached 2:06.58
4 Brooks, Vicky Unattached 2:07.57
5 Brezezinska, Anna Unattached 2:08.93
6 Thomas, Mindy Unattached 2:08.94
6 Gentile, Christine Unattached 2:08.94
8 Harvey, Alisa Unattached 2:09.11
9 Farley, Laura Brooks Team Indi 2:09.16
10 McCubbin, Beth Unattached 2:10.50
11 Marzell, Miesha Unattached 2:10.68
12 Margraf, Alana Indiana Invaders 2:14.13
13 Carr, Allison Unattached 2:17.96
— Benzing, Lakeysha Unattached DNF
On the Left Coast, injury forced Aeron to give up on her Trials dream.
She wrote me:
Just wanted to let you know, my foot’s not healing as quickly as I was hoping and I will not be racing this weekend at the last chance meet at Mt. SAC. I’m bummed, yes. I did think a qualifier was well within my capabilities.
In late May, Aeron wrote me that she was aiming to run a 4:19 qualifier in the 1500 at a Hi Performance meet in Santa Monica.
She said then: “I am fit and ready to hit the qualifying time; however, I got tripped up in the first 80 (meters) and twisted my ankle pretty significantly.”
And that ankle didn’t heal fast enough. End of Eugene hopes.
But not of two incredible masters runners.
They’ll be back.
3 Responses
Sorry to hear these two great athletes won’t be in the Trials. But the story gives us great examples to emulate as masters athletes. Get out there and compete but pay adequate attention to injuries.
Alisa,
I have seen you run in a couple of masters nationals and just wanted to congratulate you. Ken is right in that you needed to pull out all the stops on that race and that it was a brave effort. I’m sorry that it didn’t turn out the way you wanted it to, but I’m still inspired by your positive attitude and the way you ran your race.
As I said at the banquet this year following the Hartshorne Mile (at Cornell University in January), Alisa Harvey is a big-time runner. Alisa and husband were in the audience, and I meant it as a profound compliment. We are lucky to have Alisa in our group, and we should be so proud of her. When she digs in late in the race she is a sight to behold. A beautiful style defines her for most of the race, while courage defines her in the final 200 meters.
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