NORTHPORT, N.Y. — “Finally!”
That’s what Jessica McClain shouted as she broke the tape at the Great Cow Harbor 10-K here this morning where she won her first-ever national title. The 32 year-old from Phoenix, who finished fourth at the 2024 USA Olympic Team Trials Women’s Marathon last February, stopped the clock at 31:40, a new course record by 13 seconds. She’ll leave this picturesque seaside town on Long Island with total race winnings of $10,500: $8,000 for first place and $2,500 for setting a new course record. Her time was also a championships record, bettering Marla Runyan’s 2002 mark of 31:46 set in Boston.
“It was so fun,” an elated McClain told Race Results Weekly just after finishing. “I was literally out here just to race and have a good time before New York (City Marathon), and the motivation now is just head-down training, staying in Phoenix the next six weeks.”
McClain was part of a strong lead pack in the first mile which included Natosha Rogers, Erika Kemp, Emma Grace Hurley, and Amanda Vestri. Keira D’Amato, Annie Rodenfels, and Katie Izzo ran together about six seconds back. The quintet ascended the steep James Street Hill in the second mile, then ran together towards the 5-K mark, unable to appreciate the breathtaking views of Northport Harbor to their left. Rogers got the $500 5-K prime, but McClain held back. She was thinking instead about the overall title…