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Grayson Murphy Captures El Cruce Gold While Keelah Barger Takes Third
12/3/2023 5:40 PM | Cross Country, Track & Field
Utah cross country and track & field alums Grayson Murphy and Keelah Barger took first and third, respectively, at El Cruce
SAN CARLOS DE BARILOCHE, Argentina – Not a surprise to many, former Utah cross country and track & field All-American and 2023 WMRC Champion Grayson Murphy captured gold once again, this time winning El Cruce – a three-day 100k race across the Patagonia inside Nahuel Huapí National Park. Meanwhile, fellow alum Keelah Barger also podiumed on Sunday, taking third-overall in the women's division behind Murphy.
"It was just so inspiring to be out there with Keelah," Murphy said after the win. "We ran together on purpose and for us, it was more about friendship than competition and I am so happy to have had that experience. I will treasure it for my lifetime!"
Murphy's combined winning time was 10:39.13 – which was a full 6:27 minutes ahead of the runner-up from Canada (Michelle Reddy). Barger crossed the finish line with a final combined time of 10:48.11 – 8:58 after Murphy's winning mark. Overall, Murphy's time of 10:39.13 was good for 16th-overall while Barger's mark of 10:48.11 was good for 19th-overall.
The two along Reddy all crossed the day 1 marker together to tie for first with a mark of 3:04.03 after the trio ran 30k. The first day saw Murphy and Barger reach as high as 1910m above sea level and ran an incline of 1712m while descending 1948m.
Murphy separated herself from the group on day two, which saw a much easier 30k route. She was the first female to cross the timing barrier and take sole possession of first when she finished day two in 3:45.06 while Barger settled for a mark of 3:54.04.
Day 3 saw a lot of twists and turns in the final 32k of the race as runners ascended a distance of 1710m while hitting 1480m of decline. However, runners didn't have to run in as high of elevation like the previous days with a peak height of just 1359m. Murphy, Reddy and Barger all crossed the final tape together like they did on day one with a time of 3:50.04.
"I'm stoked!" exclaimed Barger postrace. "It was really cool to experience the Andes in that way and to get to see so many mountains. I was also really awesome to run so much of it with Grayson and learn with her and bond over our time at Utah!"
For the latest news and information on the Utah cross country and track & field programs, fans can stay connected online at www.UtahUtes.com and on social media by following on Facebook, X and Instagram.
"It was just so inspiring to be out there with Keelah," Murphy said after the win. "We ran together on purpose and for us, it was more about friendship than competition and I am so happy to have had that experience. I will treasure it for my lifetime!"
Murphy's combined winning time was 10:39.13 – which was a full 6:27 minutes ahead of the runner-up from Canada (Michelle Reddy). Barger crossed the finish line with a final combined time of 10:48.11 – 8:58 after Murphy's winning mark. Overall, Murphy's time of 10:39.13 was good for 16th-overall while Barger's mark of 10:48.11 was good for 19th-overall.
The two along Reddy all crossed the day 1 marker together to tie for first with a mark of 3:04.03 after the trio ran 30k. The first day saw Murphy and Barger reach as high as 1910m above sea level and ran an incline of 1712m while descending 1948m.
Murphy separated herself from the group on day two, which saw a much easier 30k route. She was the first female to cross the timing barrier and take sole possession of first when she finished day two in 3:45.06 while Barger settled for a mark of 3:54.04.
Day 3 saw a lot of twists and turns in the final 32k of the race as runners ascended a distance of 1710m while hitting 1480m of decline. However, runners didn't have to run in as high of elevation like the previous days with a peak height of just 1359m. Murphy, Reddy and Barger all crossed the final tape together like they did on day one with a time of 3:50.04.
"I'm stoked!" exclaimed Barger postrace. "It was really cool to experience the Andes in that way and to get to see so many mountains. I was also really awesome to run so much of it with Grayson and learn with her and bond over our time at Utah!"
For the latest news and information on the Utah cross country and track & field programs, fans can stay connected online at www.UtahUtes.com and on social media by following on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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