Deena Kastor Ties Masters Record in the 5K
Kastor now has every Masters record from 5K to the half marathon.
SAN JOSE — Deena Kastor is at an age where most pros hang up their racing flats, but nothing appears to be stopping her. Today she tied the women’s U.S. and World Masters record in the 5K in 15:48, winning the women’s Rock ‘n’ Roll San Jose 5K and placing third overall. The women’s 5K Masters Record was previously set by Colleen De Reuck in Albany, New York, 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. San Francisco 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 Keflezighi. “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.