By Skip Stolley

The U.S. Army Midwest Distance Classic this Saturday, June 13, at Benedictine University in Lisle is in need of pace-setters for all the girls’ races and the boys’ 3200 meters.  The meet starts at 7:00pm.  Pace-setters must be of the same gender of the race, but do not have to be high school runners.  They will receive complimentary entry to the meet, a special pacer’s T-shirt, and a VIP credential to access the U.S. Army hospitality sun deck and suites at the top of the stadium. 

We need pace-setters who can hit the following splits:

Girls’ Races

800 meters: 30 (200m)-62 (400m)-1:34 (600m) 
1600 meters: 70 (400m)-2:22 (800m)-3:36 (1200m)
3200 meters: 75 (400m)-2:35 (800m)-4:00 (1200m)-5:20 (1600)    

Boys’ Races
800 meters:  26 (200m)-53 (400)-1:21 (600m) 
1600 meters:  60 (400m)-2:02 (800)-3:06 1200m)
Freshmen 1600m: 70 (400m)-2:22 (800m)-3:36 (1200m)
3200 meters: 65 (400m)-2:11 (800m)-3:18 (1200m)-4:25 (1600)      

CONTACT:

Skip Stolley

Meet Director, U.S. Army Midwest Distance Classic

Chairman, Chicago Area Track & Field Organizing Committee, Inc.

[email protected]   310-200-5527  www.midwestdistanceclassic.com

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The U.S. Army Midwest Distance Classic is a post-season track meet for high school distance runners.  Its 2016 edition will be held at the world-class track & field facility at Benedictine University in Lisle, IL, on Saturday evening, June 11, with a 7:00pm starting time and a $5.00 spectator admission fee.  Since its inception in 2005 as the "Midwest Distance Gala", this premier post-season competition has attracted 150-200 of the best boys and girls distance runners from throughout the Midwest.

After not being held in 2014, the Chicago Area Track & Field Organizing Committee (an Illinois non-profit corporation) took over the event with our small army of local coaches and running enthusiasts determined to expand the meet and secure its future.  Last year's meet featured 186 athletes from 14 states and its 8 races for boys and girls produced 24 of the top marks in the nation in those events. 

Winning times for the boys & girls 800, 1600, 3200m and 2000m steeplechase races in 2015 were 1:49.73/2:13.42, 4:09.85/4:44.79, 8:56.06/11:02.62, and 6:01.79/7:22.53.