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CINCINNATI - Lara Crofford, a member of the University of Cincinnati track & field/cross country coaching staff, won the 2017 Paycor Half Marathon Sunday, May 7, as the former All-American broke the course record on her way to winning the event that was part of the Flying Pig Marathon weekend in downtown Cincinnati. Crofford, who coaches the women's cross country team and the distance group on the track, covered the hilly terrain in 1:20.21, breaking the previous course record by 27 seconds, a mark that had stood since 2008 when Rachel Stoehr ran 1:20:48.
"Today was quite the day!" Crofford said following her victory. "I was very pleased with how the race went. It was by far the toughest course I've run, but the environment was nothing short of spectacular. There was so much energy surrounding the whole race. The course was lined with people throughout the whole 13.1 (miles); it was absolutely amazing! Along with that, my athletes were at the start, some in the hills and some at the finish. Considering today was their rest day, I was impressed they got up and came out! They were a huge part of this win today; they inspire me on a daily basis and really are the best kids anyone could ask for."
Crofford won the race by nearly three minutes as Katie Lenahan of Cincinnati was the runner-up in 1:23.01. Overall, Crofford beat 6,595 women to the finish tape and defeated 960 women in her age division (F25-29). When including men's results, Crofford was the 18th overall finisher on the day in a race that included 10,639 finishers. In the 25-29 age group, she was the sixth overall finisher with men included in the result.
"My goal coming in was to run low 1:20's and break the course record," Crofford stated. "I got out a little excited at the beginning and was a little too fast through the first two miles, so I tried to stay controlled from miles 3-5 before we hit Eden Park and the big inclines. And, wow, miles 6-10 were really tough. At one point, I hit a 6:40 something (mile split). At mile 10, I did the math and thought the course record was out of reach. But, the crowd carried me through and I was able to close my last 5k pretty quick. Most of all, I'm just happy to be out here running! Many times, competitive runners tend to take health for granted. So, I am just really thankful and blessed to be healthy."
Crofford's win now gives a femal runner with UC ties a victory in the half marathon in three of the last four races. Previously, current Bearcats cross country and track standout Juliana Madzia won the 2014 and 2015 races before joining the UC program.
With the victory and course record secured, Crofford now turns her attention toward this week's American Athletic Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championships that will be held Friday through Sunday (May 12-14) at the University of Houston in Houston, Texas. The UC women will enter the meet as the defending champions after securing their first conference title at the 2016 meet in Orlando.