Jeff Hayes Runs with the Big Boys in New York

Jeff Hayes persevered through wind, and cold, and snow to finish a startling 37th out of more than 150 runners at the US Cross Country Championship on February 18.  Jeff covered the 8k course at Van Cortland Park in New York in 28:32 finishing 9th in his 45-50 age group.  Jeff was representing the Philadelphia Athletic Charities team for the event and finished first for the seven-member team. 

"The course was hard and choppy," Jeff noted in his field report to the Wanderers HQ.  "I wore 3/8" spikes which helped in the few muddy spots and up the hills.  I never got much of a rhythm going and had some trouble breathing towards the end.  But all in all, it was not a bad effort.  It was great to be part of a real national championship."

"The team finished as a good pack with only about 45 seconds between us, but we just couldn’t hang with some of the "younger" teams loaded with 40 year olds," he noted.  Chuck Shields of Abington finished just behind Jeff in 28:52.

Patrick Fuller of Eugene, Oregon, won the race in 24:52

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