Mark Brown Lands Spot on 5K Podium at Pittsburgh Marathon
5/14/15
PITTSBURGH — USATF Three Rivers Association youth member, Mark Brown, placed third in the 2015 UPMC Health Plan/UPMC Sports Medicine 5K on Saturday, May 2. The 5K event had a total of 2317 runners and was one of several races contested during the DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon weekend.
Brown completed the race in an official time of 16:48; the equivalent of 5:24 mile pace. At only 14 years old, he was the youngest finisher in the top 34 spots. His overall third place finish was also good for third in the open men division and third among all male runners; a solid day’s work.
Brown has previous experience in this race participating in 2011, 2012, and 2013. His next best performance was 19:25 for 12th place in 2013. Despite the experience, performing this well was a welcome surprise and a huge PR. His primary events are 800m, 4x800m and 1600m.
When asked about his feelings leading up to the race and making the podium, Brown said, “I was feeling good. I had no expectations of running that fast. I thought I would be a minute slower than that, but it just played out that way. I was pretty happy, it was awesome to be up there!”
Brown started running just 4 years ago and has been a member of USATF Three Rivers for the last 3 years representing Greensburg YMCA T & F Club. Some of his most recent accomplishments include 2014 USATF Three Rivers Association Cross Country Champion, fourth at the 2014 USATF Region II Cross Country Championships and 47th at the 2014 USATF National Junior Olympic Cross Country Championship – all in the boys 13-14 age division.
In addition to competing in USATF Three Rivers competitions, Brown is an eighth-grader who runs for Greensburg-Salem Middle School Track & Field team and was recently named track MVP for both the 2015 Butler Invitational and the 2015 Mars Invitational.
He has a busy summer competition ahead with plans to run in several TRA youth competitions. “In two weeks I will go to every meet and go to Association championships and Regionals and qualify for Nationals as that happens,” Brown said. “I think it’s a good way to extend your track season and get better times and PRs. It’s more competition. I enjoy track because there are just tons of kids and meets and just a good experience.”
With success on the track, cross country course and now the road, Brown has a number of competitive opportunities to choose from. He may possibly participate in the GNC Live Well Liberty Mile at the end of July and another TRA Cross Country season depending on how the state high school competition season works out.
Visit www.thepittsburghmarathon.com for complete Pittsburgh Marathon race results.
TRA youth competition opportunities can be found here.