Running News Daily

Roe and Maier Dominate USATF Half Marathon Championships

On a chilly morning in Atlanta, runners took to the streets for the USATF Half Marathon Championships on March 2, 2025, battling for national titles and a chance to represent Team USA at the World Athletics Road Running Championships in San Diego this September. With fierce competition and fast times, Taylor Roe and Alex Maier emerged as the day’s champions.

Roe Breaks Away to Claim First National Title

Taylor Roe made a statement in the women’s race, surging ahead in the final miles to secure victory in 1:07:22. The Durham, North Carolina, standout, representing PUMA Elite, held off a strong challenge from Emma Grace Hurley, who finished second in 1:07:35. Amanda Vestri of Blowing Rock, North Carolina, rounded out the podium with a solid 1:08:17.

With their top-three finishes, Roe, Hurley, and Vestri secured their spots on Team USA for the World Championships in San Diego.

Top Five Women:

1. Taylor Roe (Durham, NC) – 1:07:22

2. Emma Grace Hurley (Indianapolis, IN) – 1:07:35

3. Amanda Vestri (Blowing Rock, NC) – 1:08:17

4. Jessica McClain (Phoenix, AZ) – 1:08:37

5. Emily Venters (Salt Lake City, UT) – 1:09:03

Maier Holds Off Late Challenge to Take the Men’s Crown

In the men’s race, Alex Maier delivered a strong performance, crossing the finish line in 1:00:48 to claim his first USATF Half Marathon title. The Chapel Hill runner, also representing PUMA Elite, stayed composed as Shadrack Kipchirchir of Colorado Springs pushed hard in the final stretch, finishing just 10 seconds back in 1:00:58. Hillary Bor made it a tight battle for second and third, clocking 1:00:59.

Maier, Kipchirchir, and Bor will now represent Team USA at the World Championships, where they’ll take on some of the world’s best in San Diego.

Top Five Men:

1. Alex Maier (Chapel Hill, NC) – 1:00:48

2. Shadrack Kipchirchir (Colorado Springs, CO) – 1:00:58

3. Hillary Bor (Colorado Springs, CO) – 1:00:59

4. Ahmed Muhumed (Flagstaff, AZ) – 1:01:03

5. Andrew Colley (Blowing Rock, NC) – 1:01:09

All Eyes on San Diego

With the USATF Half Marathon Championships in the books, the focus now shifts to the World Athletics Road Running Championships in San Diego this September. The newly crowned national champions, along with the other top finishers, will have the opportunity to take on the best distance runners from around the globe. If their performances in Atlanta are any indication, Team USA will be ready to make an impact on the international stage.

(03/04/2025) Views: 160 ⚡AMP