by Larry Eder
A new East Coast High Performance opportunity announced for the 800m, 5000m and Mile
Concord, MA, USA
Wednesday 02 April 2014
The Adrian Martinez Classic track meet has announced the incorporation of USA Milers Club High Performance races at 800m, 5000m and the Mile into the 2014 edition, scheduled to take place at Emerson Field, Concord, MA on the evening of Thursday 05 June 2014. The nation’s top-ranked men and women at 800m and 5000m as well as the Mile will be invited to participate, creating an East Coast meet to rival in stature but complement the very successful, mid-May, West Coast ‘OXY’ High Performance meet. In fact, Jonathan Marcus, one of the architects of the successful ‘OXY’ meet will serve as the ‘High Performance Coordinator’ to the USA Milers Club races within the 2014 Adrian Martinez Classic.
In response to the question, “Why here and why now?” Jonathan Marcus responded, “The 2014 Adrian Martinez Classic High Performance races have been specifically scheduled in date and location to meet the competition needs for the top-tier of US men and women middle distance and distance athletes. These USMC events at 800m, 5000m and Mile would not be possible without the full support of HOKA One One and the timing in the competition calendar (05 June) provides the opportunity for athletes to finalize their preparations for the US National Championships, as well as establishing fast times to take into any European tour.”
The meet is paying the expenses of 8 athletes for each of the men’s and women’s 800m and 10 athletes for each of the invitational men’s and women’s 5000m and Mile races. In addition, paid pacers will be employed in each race, to ensure that times are fast. Prize money has been announced as well as Performance Awards for men and women for the ‘Best Performance’ and ‘Most Improved PR’, the latter reflecting the recognition of the need to support and motivate development even at the highest levels of performance. Athletes and coaches interested in being invited to the USA Milers Club races should contact the High Performance Coordinator, Jonathan Marcus.
Meet Director, Steve Lane began the Adrian Martinez Classic in 2009 as a tribute to a great runner and wonderful young man, Adrian Martinez. The meet offers races for everyone from ages 5 and up, from first-timers to the very elite – living up to its billing as “An evening of mile races for all ages and abilities.” Adrian was a champion miler at Concord-Carlisle High School and as his then coach, Steve Lane reflects, “Adrian was a wonderful young man – a great leader, great student, and great friend. He truly loved running, and always enjoyed being a part of the team. An evening of exciting and fun races that bring together the whole running community felt like the right way to honor his memory.”
The summer after he graduated from Williams College, Adrian Martinez suffered a fatal ‘sudden cardiac arrest’ while playing soccer with friends. Sudden cardiac arrest occurs all too frequently, when the electrical system to the heart malfunctions and suddenly becomes very irregular. Strategically placed public defibrillators (AEDs) are now recommended in public locations and athletics facilities to be available for use by individuals who observe cardiac arrest (see Parentheartwatch.org). The Martinez Classic serves as a fundraiser for the Adrian Martinez Scholarship Fund at Concord-Carlisle High School and for the Friends of CCHS Track & Field.
The mile races are designated the ‘Adro Miles’, reflecting Adrian’s love of the mile race and attract their own bonuses for time achievement. The first man under four minutes will receive $1,000, as will the first woman under 4:30. It is appropriate that in 2014, the 60th anniversary of the first sub-four minute mile, athletes will be challenging to achieve this same performance on the community track of Emerson Field, Concord, MA. With the prospect of the athletes who will be in attendance on 05 June, a time well under 3:59.4 is eagerly anticipated.
For more information about the AMC High Performance Events, contact:
Jonathan Marcus, High Performance Coordinator for the Adrian Martinez Classic
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: +1 971 344 4469 (USA – Pacific Coast Standard time)
For more information about the Adrian Martinez Classic, contact:
Stephen Lane, Meet Director, Adrian Martinez Classic
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 617-306-4650 (USA – Eastern Time)
For more information on the Adrian Martinez Scholarship Fund:
