Three-time U.S. Olympian Jen Rhines wins Woman’s Masters Race: Sunshine and speed on display for 8,000 athletes at the 33rd Carlsbad 5000

Kalle Berglund wins Carlsbad 5000m in 14:15, photo courtesy of Carlsbad 5000

Emilia Gorecka wins Carlsbad 5000m in 16:04, photo courtesy of Carlsbad 5000

Jen Rhines after her masters’ win at Carlsbad 5000, photo courtesy of Carlsbad 5000

Posted April 5, 2018

Updated nationality of third place, Ole Hesselberg, Denmark, 14:27, who competed in Olympics for Denmark. (Thanks to @RunDenmark for update).

The Carlsbad 5000 meters is in its 33rd year. It is a unique event, combining the circuit courses of famous bicyle races, and one of the most popular distances in running, the 5000 meters. The Carlsbad was founded by RNR founders Tim Murphy and Tracy Sundlun, and has gone through several owners, now, IRONMAN. The numbers were down in 2018, as was the elite fields, but the runners, again, showed the importance of the event and the continued potential of running. We thank Dan Cruz and Matt Turnbull for the information on the race!

Three-time U.S. Olympian Jen Rhines wins Woman’s Masters Race

Sunshine and speed on display for 8,000 athletes at the 33rd Carlsbad 5000

CARLSBAD, Calif., (March 25, 2018) – On a picture-perfect spring morning for racing along the oceanfront streets of downtown Carlsbad, Great Britain’s Emilia Gorecka edged out American Sarah Brown to win by one second at the 33rd running of Carlsbad 5000 today in a time of 16 minutes, 4 seconds.

“It was a tight race, but the crowd support and energy along the course was phenomenal. I wasn’t sure I’d hang on until I’d actually crossed the finish line,” said Gorecka. “Carlsbad is absolutely a beautiful town and I’m so happy to start my outdoor track season here.”

A European champion was also crowned in the men’s race. Sweden’s Kalle Berglund made his first 5k a memorable one, outlasting Ethiopian Gebre Abadi to win the final sprint to the finish line in a time of 14:15.

“The other athlete had a lead of 80, 90 maybe 100 meters and I wasn’t sure if I should go with him or stay in the group and save energy,” said Berglund, who is the national record holder for 1500m who recently represented Sweden at the IAAF World Indoor Championships last month. “It’s a 5k race and I’m a miler but after the last turn I knew I had second place secured so I decided to push the pace and was able to get the win.”

The day started with the men’s masters division at 6:58am with the Masters Men 40 and over, where Ireland’s Neville Davey successfully defended his title with a time of 15:20. In the women’s masters race, three-time U.S. Olympian Jen Rhines won in 16:48.

“It was beautiful out there, we have to get up a and run little earlier as a masters but I decided to push and there was no wind and perfect conditions this morning,” said Rhines, who made her Carlsbad debut in 2007 at the age of 32 when she finished second to current world record holder Mesert Defar. “At the start I look over and see (Canadian Olympian) Courtney Babcock and we were both 14:52 runners in our prime, if you take care of yourself and do all the right things we’re able to do this into our 40s and enjoy it.”

Roosevelt Cook won the men’s 30-39 division for an 8th consecutive time, while Meriah Earle was the first women in that age group (17:05).

Regardless of performance or time, all participants got to enjoy the same rewards at the finish line. Runners over 21 toasted their achievements in a beer garden sponsored by Pizza Port, while Betamaxxx, jammed on stage to 80s cover songs as part of the race’s finish-line.

Race weekend kicked off on Saturday with Junior Carlsbad. More than 1,500 junior runners ages 12 and under took part in one of the nine age-group races. For complete results, photos and more, please visit RunRocknRoll.com/Carlsbad-5000.

Results

33rd Carlsbad 5000 – March 25, 2018

Place, Name, Country, Time, Prize

Men’s Elite Invitational

1. Kalle Berglund, Sweden, 14:15, $2,000
2. Gebre Abadi, Ethiopia, 14:20, $1,000
3. Ole Hesselberg, Denmark, 14:27, $750
4. Dan Nestor, 14:30, USA, $500
5. CJ Albertson, USA, 14:31, $250

Women’s Elite Invitational

1. Emilia Gorecka, Great Britain, 16:04, $2,000
2. Sarah Brown, USA, 16:05, $1,000
3. Alycia Cridebring, USA, 16:18, $750
4. Emily Myers, USA, 16:22, $500
5. Ellie Abrahamson, USA, 16:32, $250

Men’s Masters

Neville Davey, Ireland, 15:20, $500

Women’s Masters

Jen Rhines, USA, 16:48, $500

About the Carlsbad 5000

The 33rd running of the Carlsbad 5000 annually attracts amateur, competitive and professional runners from around the world. Known as the ‘World’s Fastest 5K’ road race, the event is home of the current world 5K road records: 13:00, Sammy Kipketer (KEN), 2000 & 2001, and 14:46, Meseret Defar (ETH), 2006. Race day begins at 6:58amwith the Masters Men 40 and over, the first of six races that will take place throughout the morning. The elite invitational races, featuring the world’s fastest professional athletes, begin at 10:15am.

Event weekend kicks off with a Junior Carlsbad pre-registration party on Friday, March 23 hosted at the Carlsbad Village Faire. On Saturday, March 24 more than 1,500 junior racers, age 12 and under, will take part in one of the nine age group throughout the morning crossing the same finish line as the professional field on Sunday.

All runners receive a t-shirt and finisher’s medal for their efforts. Sunday’s ‘Party by the Sea’ gets started as soon as the first runners cross the finish line. After enjoying the scenic 3.1-mile course, runners aged 21 and over can step into the beer garden, sip two free beers from Pizza Port and enjoy live music. For more information or to view the full race day schedule, visit runrocknroll.com/carlsbad-5000 or follow @Carlsbad5000 on Instagram.