There's a reason why we run the race.

Going into the 2024 Sharon Colyear-Danville Season Opener, we knew the races would be fast. And even though most of our attention was focused on the 5000m races featuring NCAA champs Graham Blanks and Doris Lemngole, we knew even the 3Ks would likely produce some fireworks with the reigning NCAA 5K champ Parker Wolfe featuring. Or if wasn't Wolfe, maybe Yaseen Abdalla, coming off a terrific 4th-place NCAA XC finish and Olympic marathon performance, could approach Drew Bosley's 7:36.42 collegiate record.

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As it turns out, none of the above was true. The race was fast right out of the gates thanks to the pacing from Trials 4th-placer Josh Hoey and his brother -- they went out ahead of schedule, 58.72 for 400m and 1:59.88 for 800m. The pace started to settle and the field hit 4:03 for 1600m, now back on the scheduled 7:36 pace target. Hoey was able to maintain pace for a full five minutes before dropping out.

This was when things started to get wild. Abdalla, Strand, Wolfe, and UVA's sub-4 HS sensation Gary Martin began to separate themselves from the field. 31 second laps wouldn't do any more -- it was time to cut it down. Abdalla was able to put his marathon endurance to good use by holding the lead, but he soon fell off and let Wolfe and Strand pass him.

Would Wolfe exhibit his signature kick to take down Bosley's mark? The answer was yes, but he wouldn't be the only one. Much like at the end of the 2024 NCAA XC Championships, Wolfe and his teammate Strand were stride-for-stride in the final meters. But with an incredible 26.47-second closing lap, Strand beat out Wolfe to the win and the collegiate record, taking a full six seconds off Bosley's still-fresh mark set on the same track. Wolfe's time of 7:30.23 would have also crushed the old record had he won, as would have Abdalla (7:34.17) and Martin (7:36.09).

It was a record-setting day, as behind the top D1 athletes, Loic Scomparin from the Colorado School of Mines broke the NCAA Division II record in the 3K with a 7:43.96 clocking for 8th place.

The race was huge for Strand, who despite being an excellent runner in his own right finishing 8th at NCAA XC, has been overshadowed by his NCAA champion teammate Wolfe's success. In the NCAA record-books, however, Strand will have the last laugh.

Full Results

1. Ethan Strand (North Carolina), 7:30.15
2. Parker Wolfe (North Carolina), 7:30.23
3. Yaseen Abdalla (Arkansas), 7:34.17
4. Gary Martin (Virginia), 7:36.09
5. Nathan Green (Washington), 7:40.09
6. Adam Spencer (Wisconsin), 7:40.38
7. Matthew Beaudet (Saint-Laurent Select), 7:43.82
8. Loic Scomparin (Colo. Sch. of Mines), 7:43.96
9. Joe Waskom (Adidas), 7:46.62
10. Silas Winders (Iowa State), 7:49.81
11. Justine Kipkoech (Eastern Kentucky), 7:51.23
12. Lukas Kiprop (New Mexico), 7:51.96
13. Jonathan Davis (Unattached), 7:55.85
14. Collins Kiprotich (New Mexico), 7:56.26
15. Ben Shearer (Arkansas), 8:12.48
DNF. Jaxson Hoey (Adidas / Fast 8 Track Club)
DNF. Josh Hoey (Adidas / Fast 8 Track Club)
DNF. Athanas Kioko (On)

When Is The BU Sharon Colyear-Danville Season Opener?

The 2024 BU Sharon Colyear-Danville Season Opener begins at 10:25 a.m. ET on Saturday, December 7.

How To Stream 2024 Sharon Colyear-Danville Season Opener:

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