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Murphy Takes Third at World Championships in Austria
6/7/2023 12:27 PM | Cross Country, Track & Field
Utah cross country and track & field alum Grayson Murphy captured third at the world championships in Austria.
INNSBRUCK, Austria – Utah cross country and track & field alumni Grayson Murphy captured third at 2023 World Mountain and Trail Running Championships on Wednesday.
"That course was a tough one," Murphy said postrace. "A good portion of the final climb was 30-45% grade which made the finish really tough. I wouldn't consider myself an uphill specialist and I didn't feel amazing today so I definitely had to work really hard for the podium spot. But, wearing USA across the chest will never get old and is always an honor. Especially when it's in the unitard!"
Murphy and the other 100 competitors toed the line to compete in a 7.1km race that saw an elevation gain of just around 1,020m through the alps on the Nordkette mountain range overlooking Innsbruck.
She was the first American to cross the finish line at 49.22 to claim a podium finish followed by teammates Allie McClaughlin (13th, 52.27), Rachel Tomajczyk (38th, 55:47) and Alexandra Lawson (94th, 1:11.58). Team USA finished in fifth with 54 points, just three points shy from tying Great Britain for third and was one-point shy of tying Italy for fourth.
Giselle Slotboom (NED), 2017 graduate, also competed in the vertical climb race alongside her former teammate and crossed the finish line at 52:29 for 14th-overall as the lone competitor for the Dutch.
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, Twitter and Instagram.
"That course was a tough one," Murphy said postrace. "A good portion of the final climb was 30-45% grade which made the finish really tough. I wouldn't consider myself an uphill specialist and I didn't feel amazing today so I definitely had to work really hard for the podium spot. But, wearing USA across the chest will never get old and is always an honor. Especially when it's in the unitard!"
Murphy and the other 100 competitors toed the line to compete in a 7.1km race that saw an elevation gain of just around 1,020m through the alps on the Nordkette mountain range overlooking Innsbruck.
She was the first American to cross the finish line at 49.22 to claim a podium finish followed by teammates Allie McClaughlin (13th, 52.27), Rachel Tomajczyk (38th, 55:47) and Alexandra Lawson (94th, 1:11.58). Team USA finished in fifth with 54 points, just three points shy from tying Great Britain for third and was one-point shy of tying Italy for fourth.
Giselle Slotboom (NED), 2017 graduate, also competed in the vertical climb race alongside her former teammate and crossed the finish line at 52:29 for 14th-overall as the lone competitor for the Dutch.
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, Twitter and Instagram.
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