Allie Ostrander’s runner-up marks her highest finish at a U.S. Championship. Photo courtesy of Women’s 6K Festival
One week after placing fourth at the U.S. 6K Championships, Allie Ostrander ran it back, this time taking runner-up at the U.S. 8K Championships in Kingsport, Tenn.
The professional runner for Oiselle blasted to a time of 25 minutes, 42 seconds, averaging a sizzling pace of 5:10 per mile, while achieving her highest finish ever at a U.S. Championship.
Ostrander, 29, used a strong first half to find herself in second early on, passing through four kilometers in 12:38 and trailing former Boise State teammate Emily Venters of Utah by 16 seconds.
And while the Kenai Central grad maintained her position, her pace slowed ever so slightly over the second half of the race, closing in 13:04.
Venters won her second-straight road title in 25:05, followed by Ostrander 37 seconds back.
Seventeen-year-old Averi Lowen of Alabama rounded out the top-3 in 27:11.
“Proud of myself for running aggressively even if it meant dying a slow death and making the last 3 miles verrrry painful,” shared Ostrander on social media.
Regardless, the former 3-time NCAA champion netted a solid payday, collecting $3,500 in prize money for her efforts. It marks her second championship podium, following her third-place showing at the U.S. 4 Mile Championships last month.
She also moved into second place in the USATF Running Circuit with 49 points, up one spot from last week’s standings, while amassing a total of $12,400 in prize money so far.
With three races remaining on the circuit — 20K, 10K and marathon — Ostrander is in a good position to collect additional prize money by finishing in the top-3. She currently trails Indiana’s Emma Grace Hurley (55), while leading Iowa’s Kassie Parker (45) and Venters (36).
