by Larry Eder
Thursday 4 June, 2015 – Emerson Field, Concord, MA
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Outstanding High Performance Entries Feature in the 2015 Adrian Martinez Classic
Concord, MA, USA
Tuesday 26 May 2015
The Adrian Martinez Classic track meet has announced outstanding High Performance entries for the
seventh edition of the meet, building on the successful introduction of elite 800m, 5000m and Mile fields in
2014. The High Performance races are an integral part of the community-oriented event, scheduled to take
place at Emerson Field, Concord, MA on the evening of Thursday 04 June 2015. The nation’s top-ranked
men and women at 800m and 5000m as well as the Mile have been invited to participate and have
responded positively.
When asked about this year’s meet, Elite Athlete Coordinator, Jonathan Marcus stated, “The 2015 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 800m,
5000m and Mile races would not be possible without the full support of HOKA ONE ONE and the timing in
the competition calendar (04 June) provides the ideal opportunity for athletes to finalize their preparations for
the USATF National Championships (25-28 June), as well as gaining qualifying times for National and
International meets. We are filling a national developmental need, based on the East Coast and building on
last year’s success.”
If entries are to be a guide, a national developmental need is being met with the two strongest events and
deepest in quality currently being the Men’s Adro Mile and the Women’s 5000m. With entries still to close,
the Men’s Adro Mile shows Robby Andrews heading a total entry of 18 sub-4 minute milers. Andrews has a
best of 3:34.78 for 1500m (mile equivalent: 3:51.9) and is followed by Lee Emanuel of Great Britain who ran
3:35.66 for 1500m in this past indoor season (mile equivalent: 3:52.9) and Kyle Merber who has a best mile
performance of 3:54.76.
In the Women’s 5000m, there are currently more than 20 women entered who have gone under 16 minutes,
including seven who have bettered 15:30. Last year’s winner, Amy (Hastings) Cragg, returns to Emerson
Field with a PR of 15:09.59 but will be challenged by a strong field including two other ‘USATF High
Performance Tier Program’ athletes, Desiree (Davila) Linden, 15:08.64 and Abbey D’Agostino, 15:11.35.
In the Women’s 800m, Dana Mecke returns with a 2:02.85 PR, achieved in winning last year’s race and is
joined by Erin Donohue, who ran 1:59.99 in 2010 but did not compete in 2012 or 2013 and only sparingly last
year. After her recent 2:04.18, Donohue is hoping for a return to her previous form. Also, watch out for the
fast improving Kendra Chambers, with a recent best of 2:01.93 after setting PRs in 2015, both indoors and
outdoors, at 400m (52.71), 600m (1:26.73i) and 800m. The Women’s Adro Mile also features the return of
last year’s victor. Violah Lagat of Kenya has a best of 4:29.43 (World Leader and PR in winning last year)
and may face up to Morgan Uceny, who was 2nd in the Adro Mile in 2014 but this year is currently entered in
both the Mile (4:29.61) and 800m (1:58.37). Nicole (Schappert) Tully is another athlete currently entered in both the 800m (2:02.86) and Mile (1500m best of 4:06.87, mile equivalent: 4:26.4). Whichever event they
choose, they are certain to spice up the proceedings.
Meet Director, Steve Lane founded the Adrian Martinez Classic in 2009 as a tribute to a great runner and
wonderful young man, Adrian Martinez. Commenting on this year’s event he said, “The Adrian Martinez
Classic has become what we had always envisioned – an event for the community, that incorporates high-
performance international athletes, in an informal, park-land setting. All to celebrate the memory of a young
man who was lost to us, too soon.” He recognised the changes to the meet that the supporting sponsorship
has brought, “HOKA has provided us with the means to achieve our vision and we not only look forward to
this year but to further developments in the future.”
When asked why HOKA ONE ONE became involved and is now in the second year of sponsorship of the
Adrian Martinez Classic, Jim Van Dine, President, said, ‘HOKA recognises that high performance
competition is not always easy to find for our elite and emerging elite athletes. That is why we have invited
the nation’s top-ranked men and women at 800m and 5000m as well as the Mile to participate, in what is a
unique setting for them. Usually, these elite athletes compete in vast purpose-built arenas with seating for
1000’s. Here in Emerson Field, Concord there is an intimacy and a relaxed environment surrounding the site.
Spectators can almost reach out and touch the athletes during competition and can mingle with them pre-
and post-race. The Adrian Martinez Classic creates an incredible atmosphere and fast times.”
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 and woman breaking the existing records of 3:58.73 and
4:29.43 respectively, both set last year, will receive $2,000. With the fields currently entered for these races,
the prospect of the records surviving is remote. The Meet commences at 5:00 p.m. with the Scholastic HS
Miles, sees the High Performance element begin at 6:15 p.m. and concludes at 9:00 p.m. With the prospect
of all athletes who will be in attendance on 04 June, an evening of great competition is eagerly anticipated.
For more information about the Adrian Martinez Classic High Performance Events, contact:
Jonathan Marcus, High Performance Coordinator for the Adrian Martinez Classic
E-mail: jmar24@gmail.com
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: stevelane6@gmail.com
Phone: 617-306-4650 (USA – Eastern Time)
About the Adrian Martinez Classic
The Adrian Martinez Classic began in 2009 as a tribute to a great runner and wonderful young man, Adrian
Martinez. Adrian was a champion miler at Concord-Carlisle High School, Class of 2002. His humility, gentle
and caring nature, and love of learning inspired the lives of all he met. He selflessly gave of himself to all
who sought his help, whether academically as a gifted math student, or athletically as an accomplished
distance runner.
The summer after he graduated from Williams College, Adrian Martinez suffered a fatal ‘sudden cardiac
arrest’ while playing soccer with friends. He cherished his friends and family and was loved universally. He
led quietly and by example, both at CCHS and at Williams College, where he graduated with the Class of
2006. The Adrian Martinez Classic is a way to honor his life by doing something he truly loved: running with
friends.
The Adrian Martinez Classic serves as a fundraiser for the Adrian Martinez Memorial Scholarship Fund at
Concord-Carlisle High School (which is administered by the CCHS Scholarship Fund), and for the Friends of
CCHS Track & Field, which supports the Track & Field teams at CCHS. Adrian’s parents, Angel and Frankie,
his brothers Lucas and Julian, and his sister, Olivia, have established the Adrian A. Martinez Memorial
Scholarship Fund to commemorate his passion for distance running and his devotion to learning. It is their
sincere hope that his kindness, humility, giving nature, sense of purpose and commitment and inspirational
leadership will be reflected in all recipients of this annual award.
For more information on the Adrian Martinez Scholarship Fund:
The Adrian A. Martinez Memorial Scholarship Fund has been established by Adrian’s family to honor the life
of Adrian Martinez, CCHS Class of 2002.
http://ccscholarshipfund.org/site/mobile?url=http%3A%2F%2Fccscholarshipfund.org%2FNamed_Funds.html
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