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.US Champs Experts Picks

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The .US National Road Racing Championships are here and there's much at stake. Not only is $100,000 of race prize money on the line, but the overall USARC titles are, too! You've read the previews, consumed the interviews and now it's time to make your picks. Here are our picks from our coverage team of Kevin Ullman and Chris Nickinson, as well Runnerspace reporters Scott Bush and Chris Lotsbom. Join the discussion and share your picks!

Men's Race Winner

Kevin Ullman (KU): Abdi Abdirahman. I'm banking on that whatever was ailing him at the 20k has past. No one is better at winning US Championships.

Chris Nickinson (CN): Matt Tegenkamp. I picked him earlier this week and I'm sticking to it. He shows up to win races.

Scott Bush (SB): Aaron Braun. He is focused on this race and has a spark of extra motivation driving him after what he considered a "sub-par" third place 5k effort in NYC two weeks ago.

Chris Lotsbom (CL): Aaron Braun. Aaron has had a consistent and productive fall, placing third at the NYRR Dash to the Finish 5K and 9th at the B.A.A. Half. I think the 12 kilometer distance suits him perfect at the moment.

Women's Race Winner

KU: Shalane Flanagan. She's still the queen of distance running in America. She's been nipped a few times recently, but I think that's more a byproduct of coming off a break and rounding into shape than anything else. She shows up ready to win here.  

CN: Emily Infeld. Her two best races since late July have been at 6 miles and 10 km. She shadows Shalane as they run off Huddle's kick over the 2nd half of the race before pulling away from the marathoner.

SB: Molly Huddle. Outkicking Infeld twice gives the Olympian the mental edge. She's sharp enough to throw down a quick early pace and strong finish.

CL: Emily Infeld. Twice Infeld has finished runner-up in the last month at big races: once at the Tufts 10K in Boston and again at the NYRR Dash to the Finish 5K. It will come down to the final kilometer, where she'll break from training partner Shalane Flanagan and Molly Huddle to earn the W. 

Men's Overall USARC Winner

KU: Matt Tegenkamp. He polishes off his year of busting onto the road racing scene with a USARC title! The fall marathoners suffer in this one, but I think he suffers the least. 

CN: Matt Tegenkamp. The .US Champs win seals the USARC title.

SB: Matt Tegenkamp. The wily veteran wins, showing his range and proving his future is on the roads.

CL: Matt Tegenkamp. Though it's only been about a moth since the Chicago Marathon, Tegenkamp will have enough in the tank to pull off the victory

Women's Overall USARC Winner

KU: Shalane Flanagan. Continuing with the theme of fall marathoners burning their reserves too close to this major championship, I think Suver fades into a deep field and gives Shalane enough room to take the crown. This underscores the drama of awarding triple points at this race, including cross country on the circuit, and focusing on the right races at the right times.  

CN: Emily Infeld. The win would give her 64 total points and the victory as the recent marathoners who come with more points can't keep with the pace she and Shalane set.

SB: Mattie Suver. She'll hang on for victory with a surprising sixth place finish, taking home the top prize by the slimmest of margins.

CL: Annie Bersagel. Between Annie Bersagel and Mattie Suver, it'll come down to who has recovered the best after their fall marathon (Bersagel was tops at the USA Championships, Suver 18th at the ING New York City Marathon).  I give the edge to Bersagel only because NYC was just two weeks ago. 



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