A decade removed from representing Eritrea at Hayward Field for World Junior Championships, Kelati holds off Valby and Schweizer in thrilling last lap to prevail in 31:41.07 and capture first U.S. national track championship, to go along with road title and cross country crown

By Keenan Gray of DyeStat

Photo by Tim Healy

EUGENE, Ore – It took patience for Weini Kelati to run her way onto the U.S. Olympic team.

But then, patience became an all-out sprint to capture a national title and a trip to Paris.

Kelati, competing for Under Armour Dark Sky Distance, used every ounce of energy she had to withstand the push from Florida star Parker Valby and Nike Bowerman Track Club competitor Karissa Schweizer on the final lap of the women’s 10,000-meter championship race to win at the line in 31 minutes, 41.07 seconds Saturday night at Hayward Field.

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“I’m still in the process; it’s so soon,” Kelati said. “I’m like, ‘oh my god, I’m speechless,’.”

Valby claimed second in 31:41.553, with Schweizer finishing third in 31:41.557.

Kelati was the only athlete in the field to have met the Olympic standard entering the final, but Valby and Schweizer’s chances of heading to Paris improved significantly.

Only 15 women globally, including Kelati, have met the standard this year. The Olympic final will feature 27 competitors.

“It was a relief to have the standard,” Kelati said. “Last year, I didn’t have the standard when I ran the championship race and was like, ‘should I go out fast or stay behind because I don’t have the standard?’. This year, getting it done early, it gave me so much time to prepare and work on the stuff I need for this race.”

Kelati’s path as an athlete is one that’s been both challenging and rewarding. It was 10 years ago at Hayward Field when Kelati, 17, made the most impactful decision of her life

After racing at the World Junior Championships in 2014, Kelati intentionally missed her flight back to her home country of Eritrea, opting to seek asylum in the United States instead and eventually relocating to Virginia.

“It’s hard,” Kelati said. “Every time I come out here (to Hayward Field) it brings back the memory. I get very emotional and that affects my race.”

It was different this time.

“I’ve been saying, ‘I got to come here as a new me,’” Kelati said. “Forget all the past and focus on the present to perform well.”

Kelati did just that: she ran freely out there.

Kelati hung back early with pack while Susanna Sullivan of Brooks Running set the pace in the first half, going through a pedestrian 16:09.88 for the first 5,000 meters.

“I wanted to go to the front but I said, ‘No, I have to wait,’” Kelati said. “I have to wait; I have to wait and be patient because I know I have that speed because I’ve been working on it.”

Back in fifth place, Kelati trailed only Sullivan, Schweizer, Valby and Amanda Vestri for another kilometer.

Approaching 7,000 meters, Erika Kemp of Brooks moved up eight spots ahead of Sullivan to take the lead. Kelati, Schweizer and Valby didn’t hesitate either.

With 2 kilometers to go, Valby had enough energy left and made her way to the front, with Schweizer and Kelati right behind her, single file for the next four laps.

Right at the bell lap, Schweizer changed the momentum into her favor and went to the lead for the first time. Upon reaching the backstretch, Kelati made a move of her own, putting herself into the lead.

“I knew I was going to do it, but at the same time I was in disbelief,” Kelati said. “When I decided to go to the front, I couldn’t believe I did it.”

Kelati figured it was enough with 200 to go, but Schweizer responded once more.

Around the final turn, Schweizer made her way to the front for a third lead change on the last lap and appeared to lock up the win.

Kelati, looking for one last surge, found another gear in the final 50 meters.

Along the inside rail, Kelati moved right past Schweizer, staying in the lead for good in the final stretch to cross the finish line in first.

“I was thinking about winning the race no matter how hard it was going to be,” Kelati said.

Kelati closed the final kilometer in 2:52.33, with the final 400 being run in 66.76 seconds to secure her third U.S. national title, along with the 10-kilometer cross country crown in January and a 5-kilometer road championship in 2022.

Jessica McClain of Brooks Running, trailing by more than 20 seconds to the top three, finished fourth in 32:04.57, with Vestri rounding out the top five in 32:11.0.

Vestri, previous representing ZAP Endurance, showcased her new sponsorship with Brooks, which she finalized only two hours before Saturday’s race.

Kellyn Taylor ran a season-best 32:12.02 to place sixth, Maggie Montoya finished seventh in 32:13.26 and Kemp earned eighth in 32:21.84.