The Mount San Antonio College Relays celebrated its 49th edition in 2007. Shalane Flanagan provided the major headline for Day 1 of the University / Open portion of the meet, after she set an American record in the 5,000 meter run.

The Friday distance events featured notable performances from several athletes with Arizona connections. Jeff Helmer, an ASU redshirt freshman, won his heat of the 5,000 meter run, which also featured several teammates. Tyson David from Central Arizona College won the “Olympic Development” heat of the men’s 5,000. Four Sun Devils earned NCAA regional qualifying marks. Kyle Alcorn’s 13:55.17 in the Men’s Invitational 5,000 meter run was the 8th fastest time in ASU history.

Meet record breaking performances continued in the field events during Day 3 of the University / Open competition. Shu Ying Gao (China) initially got the crowd’s attention when she set the meet, stadium, and Asian records in the women’s pole vault. Mt. SAC alum Giovanni Lanaro (Mexico) followed with meet, stadium and Central American records in the men’s pole vault. Also in the infield, Gerardo Martinez (Mexico) set a Mexican National Record in the men’s high jump.

Click here to view photos from the 2007 Mt. SAC Relays, University / Open competition (FRIDAY, Part 1).

Click here to view photos from the 2007 Mt. SAC Relays, University / Open competition (FRIDAY, Part 2).

Click here to view photos from the 2007 Mt. SAC Relays, University / Open competition (SUNDAY).

Defending women’s champion Meseret Defar came up a bit short in her attempt to break her world best time for 5K at the 2007 Carlsbad 5000. Nevertheless, Defar became the first woman to successfully defend her Carlsbad 5000 Invitational crown. In a scene reminiscent of Frank Shorter’s 1972 Olympic Marathon finish, an invited runner from Kenya who had fallen behind the pack mistakenly cut the course, and wound up crossing the finish line ahead of Defar. In the men’s masters race, former multiple world record holder Henry Rono, now 55 years-old, continued his comeback from alcoholism, by placing second in his age division.

Click here to view photos from the 2007 Carlsbad 5000.

Click here to view Quest Club photos from the 2007 Carlsbad 5000 and 2007 Junior Carlsbad.