A team representing the Blacksburg Striders running club won the national team title in the men’s 50+ team competition at the USA Track and Field Cross Country Championships in Richmond on Jan. 20.
The Striders team included 12 runners from Blacksburg, Christiansburg, Radford, and Roanoke. In total, 460 athletes from 40 states competed in the championships.
In the men’s 50+ team competition, the Blacksburg Striders won the national title scoring 46 points as they defeated the Santa Barbara Running Club of California by two points with the Colonial Road Runners capturing the team bronze with 78 points. Team members for the Blacksburg squad (in order of finish) were Anderson Norton, Ignacio Moore, Kevin McGuire, Durelle Scott, Michael Stowe, and Sean McGinnis.
In the men’s 40+ team competition, the Blacksburg Striders team finished in fifth place. Team members (in order of finish) were David Angell, Matthew Wisnioski, Daniel Kolasa, Kevin Byrd, Bradley Paye, and Glen McGuire. Angell also excelled as an individual, finishing fifth overall in the men’s masters race and first in his 45-49 age group.
The Blacksburg Striders running club was created more than 50 years ago to provide community involvement and a source of camaraderie for local runners to enjoy group events, races, social activities and community service. The group hosts weekly group runs and races, including the Blacksburg Classic 10-miler and 5K run on Feb. 10, 2024. Register at runsignup.com/BlacksburgClassic.
Michael Stowe
