University of Richmond Athletics
Richmond Runners Shine In The 32nd-Annual Great Cow Harbor 10K
09/30/2009 | Women's Track & Field
Sept. 30, 2009
NORTHPORT, N.Y. - University of Richmond cross country and track standouts Matt Llano, Andrew Benford, Jon Wilson and assistant coach Jon Molz shocked the field at the 32nd running of the Great Cow Harbor 10K Saturday. The quartet placed three runners in the top 10 overall and another in 15th place in one of the nation's top 10K races, featuring a field of 5,000 runners.
Llano was fourth, Molz was ninth, Benford was 10th and Wilson was 15th.
Llano crossed the line in 29:48, averaging 4:48 per mile for the 6.2 mile event to lead the Spider contingent with his fourth-place overall finish. He is coming of a strong performance three weeks ago at the Annapolis 10 Mile Race where he won in course record time (49:38).
The 2008 NCAA Cross Country Championship qualifier went out with the leaders and his teammates, running the first mile in 4:40 before settling into a good tempo on the rolling hills in Northport.
"I felt really good today," said Llano. "The second and fifth miles were tough up-hills and the final mile had some steep down-hills. I was able to get into a rhythm out there. The front three got away from me in the second mile and I ran the rest of the race alone. I just couldn't make up the ground on those three."
Molz (30:42) and Benford (30:50) finished ninth and 10th respectively, while Wilson (31:39) placed a solid 15th.
Benford, who is coming off his 13th-place finish at the 2009 IAAF World Mountain Running Championships in Italy, said he didn't get moving early enough.
"I went out with the leaders but from there didn't get going until after 5K," said Benford. "My first 5K was only 15:30, so I went 15:20 over the final 5K. I know my speed is not the best right now since I've been on trails so much this summer getting ready for Italy. I just need some faster workouts."
Molz, who serves as an assistant coach for the Spiders has been enjoying a successful professional running career following graduation. Most recently he placed 10th overall and was the fourth-best American at the RRCA National 1/2 Marathon Championships in Parkersburg, W.Va.
Saturday he enjoyed a trip home to race.
"I live just a few miles from here," explained Molz. "It's not often I have an opportunity to basically come home for a high profile race. I felt good out there and feel good about the race. We have a place we train that was perfect preparation for this course. This course today was hilly with the second and fifth miles having some good climbs within them."
Every year, Northport hosts the Great Cow Harbor 10K Run to celebrate Northport's Annual Cow Harbor Day. This year's 10K event attracted 5,000 participants who raced through the streets of the village while thousands more watched. There was also a 2K Fun Run/Walk that drew over 1,000 runners.
Some of the proceeds from the event went to the Long Island Special Olympics.
