by Larry Eder
Deena Kastor, photo by PhotoRun.net
Deena Kastor ran 15:48 this morning for 5k, on the fast course in downtown San Jose. Deena told us that she had a bit of a bug this week, but really wanted to run in San Jose. Finishing third overall, Deena looked great after the race on this cool, crisp early Fall morning.
Deena Kastor Ties Women’s Masters 5K Record at Rock ‘n’ Roll San Jose
- · Kastor now holds every women’s Masters record from the 5K to the half marathon
- · 49ers Legend Roger Craig and Olympian Meb Keflezighi also ran the Rock ‘n’ Roll 5K
- · Salvador Guerero, 41-years-old from San Jose, won the men’s Rock ‘n’ Roll 5K in 15:42
SAN JOSE – September 26, 2015 – Deena Kastor is at an age where most pros hang up their racing flats, but nothing appears to be stopping this American distance-running. Today she tied the women’s US and World Masters record in the 5K in 15:48, winning the women’s Rock ‘n’ Roll 5K and placing third overall. The women’s 5K Masters Record was previously set by Colleen De Reuck in Albany, NY in 2004.
“I felt really good about the race,” said Kastor, who won the 2011 Rock ‘n’ Roll San Jose Half Marathon in 1:12:23, which was her first win since giving birth to her daughter Piper. “It’s a celebration out here today whether we reach our goals or not. I came out here and gave it my best. There was not one point on the course I could have pushed harder to get a faster time. I’m really happy with my effort. I feel like Rock ‘n’ Roll San Jose is an underestimated destination for fast times.”
Last year, the 41-year-old Olympic bronze medalist and American marathon-record holder racked up four Masters records in one race at the at the Rock ‘n’ Roll Philadelphia Half Marathon, including the Masters World Record in the half marathon (1:09:36), 15K (49:03), 10 miles (52:41) and 20K (1:05:52). She now holds every women’s Masters record from the 5K to the half marathon. On Sunday, Kastor will pace the Rock ‘n’ Roll San Jose Half Marathon.
Meb Keflezighi was also out on the 5K field, pacing the 7:00 minute mile group. He was using the 5K race as a warm up for tomorrow’s Rock ‘n’ Roll San Jose Half Marathon, where he will attempt to set the Masters Half Marathon record. 49ers legend Roger Craig tried to keep with Meb’s pace, until the last half mile. Craig finished with an impressive time of 22:41.
“The 5K had great environment, great weather, and it was a lot of fun,” said Meb. “Roger Craig went away from his plan to run with me. I was trying to stay with him, but I was pacing the 7-minute mile so the last half-mile or so we had to break away from him. He is great and should be an example to other players to come out and run because it’s a healthy way to live. And for him to come back tomorrow to run the half marathon, he’s keeping the dream alive.”
“I was trying to keep up with Meb, but he ran me out of my energy in the last half mile,” said Roger Craig. “It’s great to have him and Deena Kastor here supporting the Rock ‘n’ Roll San Jose race today. I just love running with people and it was great to run with some fans too. Today was a day to get acclimated and warm up for the half marathon tomorrow. If you want to have fun, run Rock ‘n’ Roll, baby! They know how to party!”
“I’m not even going to try to keep up with Meb tomorrow in the half marathon though,” joked Craig.
Following Kastor’s 5K win, she ran in the inaugural KiDS ROCK San Jose fun run with her 4-year-old daughter Piper. Meb’s three daughters, Sara (9), Fiyori (7) and Yohana (5), also joined in on the fun at the kid’s race. The KiDS ROCK event took place at 9:00 am around Cesar Chavez Park and featured a 1-mile run for children ages 7-12, half mile run for 5 and 6-year-olds, 1/4 mile for 4-year-olds and a Toddler Trot and Diaper Dash for children 3-years-old and under.
“Yordanos surprised me yesterday, showing up with the kids,” said Meb. “To have them come to run KiDS ROCK was great. Healthy starts at home, but to have the KiDS ROCK is a way for kids to have fun and spend time with the family.”
Sunday’s Rock ‘n’ Roll San Jose Half Marathon and 10K will welcome participants from around the world, with more than 50 runners attempting to qualify for the Olympic trials. The race starts in downtown San Jose and finishes in Cesar Chavez Park. Registration for the half marathon and 10K are still available at the Health & Fitness Expo, taking place until5:00 pm today at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center.
