Vancouver-based Whisper Running qualified 21 runners for nationals on Saturday at the USATF Junior Olympics regional cross country meet in Yakima.
Ellie Thomas (Washougal Middle School) placed eighth out of 112 runners in the 11-12 age group race, covering 3,000 meters in a personal best of 11 minutes, 22 seconds. Abigail Gavora (Our Lady of Lourdes) placed 23rd in 11:41 and Bethany McKinstry (Skyridge MS) placed 28th in 11:45.
That helped Whisper’s 11-12 team place fourth, making it the only Washington team in that age group to qualify for nationals Dec. 8 at Reno, Nevada.
Whisper’s 13-14 age group team placed third, also qualifying for nationals. Charlotte Wilson (Shahala MS) finished 23rd, covering 4,000 meters in 15:51. Sara Cordova was 30th in 16:03 and Madison Wick (Shahala MS) was 31st, just five seconds behind.
Graves fastest at Turkey Trot 5K
Jonathan Graves, 32, of Vancouver won the Turkey Trot 5K at Marine Park on Saturday.
He finished the race in 18 minutes, 50 seconds. There were 108 total runners in the event put on by the Clark County Running Club.
Gary Daubenspeck, 51, of Hood River, was second overall in 19:06, and Mike Grimshaw, 52, of Vancouver was third in 19:09.
Heather McFadden, 45, of Camas, was the women’s winner. She was eighth overall with a time of 20:17. Second was Abby Knight, 24, in 21:22 (11th overall), and third was Jennifer Teppo, 59, of Vancouver in 21:29 (12th overall).
Complete results are in the Community Scoreboard.
Next on the CCRC calendar is the annual after-Thanksgiving Heritage Trail Run at 10 a.m. on Saturday in Camas.
Distances are 3, 5 and 7 miles and starts on the east end by the boat ramps.
For more information about the races or upcoming races, visit clarkcountyrunningclub.org.
Clark County Turkey Trot sold out
The Clark County Turkey Trot and Polar Bear Plunge is set for 9 a.m. Thursday at Klineline Pond and Salmon Creek Park in Vancouver.
The event was declared sold out last week.
Those participating can pick up their race packets from noon to 7 p.m. on Wednesday at the Clark County Food Bank, 6502 NE 47th Ave., in Vancouver.
All the race proceeds are donated directly to the food bank.
More information about the event can be found online at turkey-trot.org.
