Local running store, OK Runner, made a BIG announcement about the upcoming Brookhaven Run! This year the elite field will feature some of the world’s best competitors! Dominique Scott, who ran the 10,000 meter event at the Rio Summer Olympics earlier this month, will compete against other high-profile athletes when the 31st annual 2016 Gateway Mortgage Group Brookhaven Run sets sail Labor Day weekend in Norman, Oklahoma. Scott, who represented South Africa at this year’s Summer Olympic games, highlighted her team’s showing in Rio with a 21stplace finish on the track at the 10,000 meter distance in a personal best of 31:51. While at the University of Arkansas, Scott was a 5 time NCAA Division-1 Champion and a 12 time All-American and now competes at the professional level for Adidas.
Joining Scott at Brookhaven will be Kenyan Sarah Kiptoo. Kiptoo, training and living in Santa Fe, New Mexico, is a two-time winner of the prestigious Grandma’s Marathon, and has gone under 16 minutes in a 5K. Scott and Kiptoo will be trying to break the Oklahoma State Women’s Open 5K record, which stands at 16:06. A $2,000 bonus is being offered for eclipsing the state record in the 5K Women’s Open or Men’s Open Divisions. That mark currently stands at13:51 in the Men’s Open, established by Aron Rono at the 2010 Brookhaven Run.
The Men’s standard is in jeopardy with Kenyan Eliud Ngetich, joining the field. Ngetich posted a 13:55 5K last year. Patrick Gomez and Cat Lisle, male and female 2016 champions of the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon, are also set to toe the line, along with other former Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon and Oklahoma City Memorial Half Marathon champions. These include Jerry Faulkner, living in New York City, and local elite runners Jenny Graef, Ashley Miller and Scott Downard.
The 31st annual Gateway Mortgage Group Brookhaven Run will start from Brookhaven Village in northwest Norman on Saturday, September 3rd at 7:45 am. There is also a timed 1-Mile Fun-Run and free Kid’s Sprint for all youngsters under 9 years old. More information and race entry, go to www.BrookhavenRun.com.
