by David Monti | Race Results Weekly

Emma Grace Hurley (Asics) and Graydon Morris (Puma Elite Running) captured the USATF 10-Mile national titles yesterday at the 53rd running of the Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile here in the nation's capital.  In sunny but slightly chilly weather, the two Americans nearly won the overall race titles, too, which went to Ethiopia's Asayech Ayichew (Nike) for the women and Morocco's Mohammed El Youssfi (Nike) for the men.  All four winners set personal best times, but no American or race records were broken.

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The Women Run A More Conservative Race

Unlike last year when American Taylor Roe (Puma Elite Running) ripped the first two miles in 5:04 and 4:58, respectively, the women took a more measured approach this year.  The first mile was run in a solid 5:10, and after crossing the Potomac River on the Memorial Bridge, the second mile was an even slower 5:16.  That pace wasn't fast enough to drop any of the top contenders, and a big lead pack of 16 women made it to the 5-K mark in 16:09.

Hurley, 28, who two weeks ago set a national record for 8 km on the road, was right in the front.  She came into today's race hungry for a national title, something that has eluded her despite several podium finishes over the last three years.  She was ready for multiple race scenarios.

"I really thought it would go out a little faster with the really high quality international talent here," Hurley said, referring to Ethiopia's Ayichew, Uganda's Joy Cheptoyek (Asics), and Kenya's Everlyn Kemboi (Unattached).  "I was prepared for anything."

Also up in front was USA half-marathon record holder Weini Kelati (Nike) and two-time USA Olympian Karissa Schweizer (Nike Swoosh TC).  Kelati had the fastest 10-mile personal best in the field (50:05), and Schweizer --who was running the longest race of her life-- had run 30:18 for 10,000m.  The three American women were keeping a close eye on each other.

"Emma was brave," Kelati told Race Results Weekly.  "She was brave out there running up front."

The first important move came in the fourth mile when Ayichew notched the pace down to 5:05.  While more of a gentle acceleration, it was enough to drop several women including American Biruktayit Degefa.  Things settled back to a 5:13 in mile 5 (running time of 25:56), but then Ayichew decided to push again.  She ran 4:56 for mile-6 and 31:57 through 10-K. That was fast enough to cut the field down to six: Ayichew, Cheptoyek, Kemboi, Kelati, Hurley and Schweizer.  Molly Born was about 10 seconds back in seventh place.

"It was just like, kind of slows down and picks up," said Kelati, who prefers a hard, steady pace.  "When the race goes out fast I feel more comfortable than the slower pace."

A 4:58 eighth mile --again with Ayichew on the front-- was too much for Kemboi who fell back (she would finish sixth).  There was a little bit of a headwind at that point, but Hurley took the lead anyway.

"When the race went out slow I was prepared to have a pretty steep pick-up at the end," Hurley explained.  "It felt good.  It was kind of 'Scenario B' in my head, and I was happy with it."

Approaching the 9-mile and 15-K points, Kelati made her bid for victory.  A 4:57 ninth mile was too hot for Schweizer, and she decided to drift back (she would finish fifth/third American in 50:55).  Ayichew, Cheptoyek, and Hurley stayed close to Kelati for the final twisting, and slightly hilly, kilometer of the race.  

"I thought Weini was going to win," said Hurley.

But Ayichew had other ideas.  She hit the gas and ran the final kilometer in 2:58 to take the win in 50:37, good for $7000 in prize and bonus money.

"My goal from the very beginning was to make it extremely high-paced," said Ayichew through an interpreter.  "I was actually aiming for the course record.  Unfortunately, that did not work out and as the kilometers increased I kept increasing the pace."

Cheptoyek, the Ugandan, took second in 50:41 with Hurley right on her heels in a personal best 50:42.  Kelati was fourth overall (second American) in 50:46.

Hurley was delighted to win her first national title.  She got the extra benefit of doing it at an event where her kit sponsor, Asics, is a prominent sponsor, and their North American CEO, Koichiro Kodama, was at the finish line to greet her.

"Oh man, I really wanted to win," said Hurley, who won a total of $12,000 in prize and bonus money.  "I've never won a USATF race before.  I've been second and third many, many times.  You know, I was prepared to get second but I really wanted to win."

Schweizer, a track specialist, was jazzed about her performance.

"That was so fun," Schweizer told Race Results Weekly.  "Like, I just feel like there is so much energy out there, and I was definitely a little scared of the distance.  It just felt a little intimidating, but I just felt very relaxed throughout most of it."

Men Not In A Hurry, Either

The men didn't start aggressively, either.  Benjamin Eidenschink (On) was the nominal leader at 5-K in 14:36, according to the official timing data.  However, there were 25 men within two seconds of that mark.  The pack was a similar size at 10-K (29:21), and Morris was tucked in among the leaders.  The twin brother of miler Gracie Morris, the runner-up at the 2026 USATF Indoor Championships, he came into the race with both his confidence and fitness at a high level.

"From the gun I just settled into a rhythm," Morris told Race Results Weekly.  "It felt like I was on a tempo run.  I was very relaxed the whole time."

The race really didn't break up until the final mile.  El Youssfi, Morris, American Cole Sprout, and U.S.-based Thai Kieran Tuntivate occupied the first four spots.  Morris made a bold move.

"I made a pretty big move with like a mile and a half to go," Morris told Race Results Weekly.  "I was like, I don't know if it's going to work or not, but I wanted to take that risk and it paid off."

Morris missed the overall win by just one second to El Youssfi, 46:17 to 46:18.  Still, he was thrilled to come away with his first national title and earned $13,000 in prize and bonus money.

"It feels unreal, to be honest," Morris said.  He added: "I'm very, very happy right now.  It feels unreal.  It's been a long journey to get to this point.  It's awesome."

El Youssfi, who won $6000 in prize money, was also happy.

"I stayed just behind the group until the last 2-K," said El Youssfi when asked about his strategy.  "I did a good finish, and I'll take the win.  I'm very happy today."

Tuntivate took third in 46:32, Sprout fourth in 46:35, and Aidan Reed fifth in 46:38.  Canadian Olympian Moh Ahmed finished sixth in his 10 mile debut in 46:39.

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