We'll just say it. TTB Queensboro has our strongest field yet, for men and women. Our returnees from TTB Manhattan include a two-time TTB winner (Leigh Anne Sharek) and three others who placed in top five (Carly Gill, Jessica Snider-Rodriguez, Erin Higgins). We DEFINITELY have our eyes on these athletes - they are truly women to watch. But let's get to know a few others who will challenge for TTB prizes:
LENA PLACZEK
WHY WE ARE WATCHING HER: Track chops, mile speed, urban running cred. Just ripped a 5:07 at 5th Avenue Mile.
RUNNING BACKGROUND: Lena started running at age 14 in Poland. In HS she ran on the Polish Junior National Team (800 & 1500m) and went to the World Championships in XC her junior year. She moved to the U.S to run for the University of Iowa (track and cross country), and just recently got back into running and rediscovered her love for the sport!
TTB EXPERIENCE: Took fourth at TTB 2.1 (Williamsburg 2016). We think Lena has a ton of potential to improve!
CREW/CLUB: Brooklyn Navy Track Crew
MILE PR: 5:04
5K PR: 18:32
Photo by Graham Macindoe
ELIZABETH LASETER
WHY WE ARE WATCHING HER: Elizabeth comes highly touted by Jennie Cohen, two-time defending TTB champ. She also has participated in the World Champs for the Beer Mile. Enough said.
RUNNING BACKGROUND: Elizabeth ran cross country and track for Johns Hopkins University, and has continued to train competitively since graduating. The mile and steeplechase were her races in college, but since then has transitioned to the 5K, 10K, and just to keep things interesting, the beer mile!
TTB EXPERIENCE: Making a debut!
CREW/CLUB: Dashing Whippets
MILE PR: 5:11
5K PR: 17:52
WHITNEY MCFADDEN
WHY WE ARE WATCHING HER: Killer track speed (hello kick) and that magic mojo that comes from running on November Project.
RUNNING BACKGROUND: Lifelong soccer player (running FTW). County champ at 800m, 500m in high school at Walt Whitman in Bethesda MD (word to wise -- stay away from Whitney down the stretch). Running with NP since 2014, a path that has led, in Whitney's words, to "some of my fastest times and... the most amazing people!". No slouch at longer distances -- 3.17 marathon PR, and a 5:33 half Ironman!
TTB EXPERIENCE: Took 7th at TTB 2.1 (Williamsburg 2016)
CREW/CLUB: November Project
MILE PR: 5:23
5K PR: 19:36
