Day One of Run It Fast’s Race Across the USA started as the twelve teams left Battery Park in New York City on their 2,907 mile epic journey towards the West Coast. These teams seem to be, by and large, evenly match as they are filled with some of the most driven people from across the globe. We started with 132 runners from sixteen states and four countries.
All the teams were revved up out of the starting corrals, but Rev Run took off and made it all the way to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania on Day 1 to take the early lead. They finished the day with 172.83 miles and were led by Lisa Devon’s 33.03 miles.
About forty miles back of Rev Run there was a cluster of teams that included The Metcalvary, Mojo Rising, Breaking Glass, Crowe Bars, and Grapes of Rath all within 10 miles of each other.
All twelve teams are roughly between Allentown and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania with Alfa’s Omegas deciding to be the Omegas…at least for today.
Race Across the USA Overall Standings
- Rev Run – 172.83 miles
- The Metcalvary – 130.92 miles
- Mojo Rising – 128.92 miles
- Kicking Glass – 126.69 miles
- Grapes of Rath – 121.35 miles
- Crowe Bars – 120.60 miles
- Trip 2 My Lou – 115.56 miles
- The Beetroots – 104.30 miles
- Tuck ‘n Stroll – 101.56 miles
- Peers One – 90.95 miles
- Eli’s PR Ice – 87.69 miles
- Alfa’s Omegas – 87.36 miles
Laura Eriks, of Trip 2 My Lou, was the Race Across the USA Peak Performer of the day with her massive 50.02 mile day.
Top 10 Miles of the Day
- Laura Eriks (LOU) – 50.02 miles
- Lisa Van Wolde (KG) – 35.13 miles
- Lisa Devona (REV) – 33.03 miles
- Thomas Fowler (ONE) – 31.51 miles
- Steve Troxel (CB) – 31.00 miles
- Marylou Corino (LOU) – 27.31 miles
- Kimberly Atkins (GOR) – 26.28 miles
- Chris Clemens (GOR) – 25.02 miles
- Carrie O’Bryan (BR) – 24.99 miles
- Andrew Glaze (MET) – 24.44 miles
The Day’s Quick Team-by-Team Recaps
REV RUN- Day 1: 172.83 Miles (1st) – 1st overall
The odd’s on favorite wasted no time breaking loose out of New York City and claiming the yellow jersey for Day 1. They were led by a 1/3 slice of a 100 from Florida native Lisa Devona. The team had nearly half it’s members break 20 miles for the day.
RR’s Top Performers of the Day
- Lisa Devona – 33.03 miles
- Emily Ryan – 21.49 miles
- Ed Ettinghausen – 21.1 miles
THE METCALVARY – Day 1: 130.92 Miles (2nd) – 2nd overall
Team captain Jen Metcalf humbly voted her team as the favorite to win the race in a poll conducted earlier in the day. She stated, “My team doesn’t get out of bed for anything less than 1st place.” The Mets were led by Andrew Glaze with 24.44 miles. The California native started the race ‘fresh’ off a 200-mile week he completed before hopping his flight to NYC. The team is bedded down at the Lamp Lighter for the night.
MET’s Top Performers of the Day
- Andrew Glaze – 24.44 miles
- Randy Broadway – 20.00 miles
- Elissa Higgins – 19.16 miles
MOJO RISING- Day 1: 128.82 Miles (3rd) – 3rd overall
This team must have thought it was bad mojo to hit 20 miles or more as all their top runners for the day stopped in the 19’s. They were led by Lindsay Phenix with 19.51 miles and got contributions from all everyone on their team today. They are two miles down the road from The Mets by the Penn Jersey Pork & Beef Farms. By the smell of things, there is no meat shortage as reported by several media outlets.
MR’s Top Performers of the Day
- Lindsay Phenix – 19.51 miles
- Joshua Holmes – 19.11 miles
- Kit Brazier – 19.01 miles
KICKING GLASS – Day 1: 126.69 Miles (4th) – 4th overall
Kicking Glass was kicking the back heels of Mojo with a really strong first day. They are just two miles off the podium, and were led by Canadian Lisa Van Wolde’s 35.13 miles. She had great support from Tiffani Glass with 21.08 miles and Barry Reece with 20.31. Both of them put up big miles on the inaugural Race Across the USA as well. They are currently positioned on the corner of Bloody Spring Rd and Power Dr.
KG’s Top Performers of the Day
- Lisa Van Wolde – 35.13 miles
- Tiffani Glass – 21.08 miles
- Barry Reece – 20.31 miles
GRAPES OF RATH – Day 1: 121.35 Miles (5th) – 5th overall
GOR was a fierce 3-headed monster consisting of Kimberly Atkins 26.28 miles, Chris Clemens 25.02, and Tom Orr 24.23. Atkins and Clemens were on the same team of our last cross country journey and are heavy hitters. It would appear they packed the lumber for this race too. Orr was the breakout star last round, and he delivered today for his new team. GOR is only about a kilometer ahead of the Crowe Bars.
GOR’s Top Performers of the Day
- Kimberly Atkins – 26.28 miles
- Chris Clemens – 25.02 miles
- Tom Orr – 24.23 miles
CROWE BARS – Day 1: 120.60 Miles (6th) – 6th overall
The Crowe Bars were led on day one by Steve Troxel with 31 miles. Steve really set the tone for the team with his strong effort, but kept them loose with his newly braided pigtails. The Queen of Pinson Mounds, Marj Mitchell got all her gardening done over the weekend, because she made it clear she was going to bring the hammer starting on Monday morning for her new team. Did she ever…with 18.08 miles. The Bars are chasing GOR and plan to keep the heat on them tomorrow.
CB’s Top Performers of the Day
- Steve Troxel – 31.00 miles
- Marj Mitchell – 18.08 miles
- Seth Crowe – 17.38 miles
TRIP 2 MY LOU – Day 1: 115.56 Miles (7th) – 7th overall
A 50-spot on Day 1, much less from a rookie – Laura Eriks, is something to behold. Laura and team captain, Marylou Corino combined for 77.31 of the team’s 115.56 miles for the day. Their two-person total would have put them just 10 miles behind our 12th place team on the day. Quite appropriately, Laura’s legs and the team currently are positioned next to Lehigh Cement.
LOU’S Top Performers of the Day
- Laura Eriks – 50.02 miles
- Marylou Corino – 27.31 miles
- Jeremy Kluttz – 13.09 miles
THE BEETROOTS – Day 1: 104.30 Miles (8th) – 8th overall
The Roots were led by Carrie O’Bryan with a quarter spot. A strong race debut that helped her team break the century spot for the day. She had help from Florida native Amy Costa with 17.11 miles and Brenda Cross with 15.00. After dinner, the team spent a couple hours touring the Old Spokes Car Museum in New Smithville.
BR’s Top Performers of the Day
- Carrie O’Bryan – 24.99 miles
- Amy Costa – 17.11 miles
- Brenda Cross – 15.00 miles
TUCK N’ STROLL – Day 1: 101.56 Miles (9th) – 9th overall
X marked the spot for TNS on Day 1 with 24.03 miles from Ximena Kriete. Ironically, our 9th place team is showing up on the map at Cloud Nine Pet Services. Hopefully, TNS will unleash the greyhounds tomorrow as they try to move into the top half of the field.
TNS’s Top Performers of the Day
- Ximena Kriete – 24.03 miles
- Donna Bullington – 15.02 miles
- Jd Barnette – 12.15 miles
PEERS ONE- Day 1: 90.95 Miles (10th) – 10th overall
Thomas Fowler did his part for Peers with a 31.51 mile marker. He told his teammates in their pre-race pep talk to get on his back and he’d carry them on Day 1. Perhaps he forgot to buckle them in before his torrid rampage. The team is camped out for the night by the Little Lehigh Creek.
PR’s Top Performers of the Day
- Thomas Fowler – 31.51 miles
- Diane Taylor – 10.96 miles
- Sofie Romero – 10.08 miles
ELI’S P.R. ICE – Day 1: 87.69 Miles (11th) – 11th overall
Former Vol State 500K winner Francesca Muccini led Eli’s PR Ice with 20.10 miles. The team got off to a bit of a slow start. Team captain Melissa Price contributed 15.50 miles. Eli’s is just south of Harrisburg with the Omegas tight on their tail.
ELI’S Top Performers of the Day
- Francesca Muccini – 20.10 miles
- Melissa Price – 15.50 miles
- Ruth Thomas – 10.26 miles
ALFA’S OMEGAS – Day 1: 87.36 Miles (12th) – 12th overall
This race is all about pacing. It will test you as it’s relentless day, after day, after day. With that said, the Alfa’s should be fresh for Day 2. They were low on the totem pole today, but they can see teams in front of them they will be chasing tomorrow. They were led on Day 1 by team captain, Alfa Severino with 13.1 miles.
AO’s Top Performers of the Day
- Alfa Severino – 13.1 miles
- Kelly Paul – 10.35 miles
- Houston Wolf – 10.33 miles
Daily Updates and Standing Archive
- Day 1: Run It Fast’s Race Across the USA – Rev Run Takes Lead Out of NYC
