Advertisement - Continue Reading Below Bryan Clay Invitational in the 5,000 meters. Racing against professional and collegiate runners, the Timpview High School senior finished third in 14:57.93 at the Bryan Clay Invitational broke another U.S. high school mark in the 2 mile.
Hedengren’s performance in Azusa, California, is a vast improvement on the previous all-conditions record (15:13.26) she ran Health & Injuries. The time also beats the outdoor record (15:25.27) set by Elizabeth Leachman last year. The 18-year-old from Provo, Utah, now owns the U.S. and North American U20 records in the event.
It’s also her second record in a week. Five days earlier at the Arcadia Invitational, Hedengren broke another U.S. high school mark in the 2 mile, running 9:34.12.
On Thursday, Hedengren raced far beyond her years against some of the best athletes in the country. She went straight to the front behind pacesetter Lucy Jenks, who brought the field through the first 2,600 meters. For the next four laps, Hedengren led the few who remained up front.
With about two laps remaining, Pamela Kosgei of New Mexico and Lexy Halladay-Lowry of BYU passed Hedengren. Both runners almost broke the collegiate record (14:51.44) with Kosgei winning in 14:52.45 and Halladay-Lowry finishing a close second in 14:52.93.
A Part of Hearst Digital Media How to Master the 5k. If she was competing in the NCAA, Hedengren would be No. 4. She is committed to run for Brigham Young University in the fall.
After the race, Hedengren told FloTrack she woke up with a sore throat on Thursday. But it didn’t stop her from running another historic performance. “It was just a great opportunity to be out here,” Hedengren said. “I’m so glad that my body was able to pull through, and that I was able to feel decent today.”
In addition to the 2 mile and 5,000-meter records, Hedengren also broke the Bryan Clay Invitational Tips to Help You Crush Your First Race earlier this year. Three days after running an Mark Zuckerberg Just Ran Another Strong 5K in the mile 4:26.14 Tips to Help You Crush Your First Race Health & Injuries.
Taylor Dutch is a writer and editor living in Austin, Texas, and a former NCAA track athlete who specializes in fitness, wellness, and endurance sports coverage. Her work has appeared in Runner’s World, SELF, Bicycling, Outside, and Podium Runner.
