I love seeing heat sheets for the Hartshorne Masters Miles — the 52nd edition is Saturday at Cornell University in Ithaca, Snow York. That’s where I learn who submitted 4:56 as a seed time. This year, it’s Brian Lazzaro of Ithaca. Why 4:56? That’s my all-time PR — set indoors at Allen Fieldhouse at the University of Kansas as a 20-year-old senior. (The dirt track is gone, subsumed by a museum beneath the basketball arena.) Brian, 44, will wear Hip No. 7 in the men’s elite race, where Stefan Lingmerth, 41, is top seed at 4:25. (Defending champ Mark Williams is No. 2 seed at 4:31, even though he’s a geezer at 46.)

By far the top female seed is Sascha Scott, 43, of Syracuse, who entered a 4:53.

Sub-5 potential exists in women’s elite race — by one lone entrant. (Click image for all heats.)

Prize money will be awarded, too.

“Cash awards will be made to the top elite men and women based on age-graded performance on the following schedule: 1st: $450, 2nd: $300, 3rd: $150, 4th: $100, 5th: $50. The top three finishers in each race will also receive commemorative medals,” says the meet site at Finger Lakes Runners Club.

Also revealed: “For this year’s race, we’re adding a team competition. Recruit up to 5 people for your team, and the top 3 will score. To even the playing field across heats and genders, the scoring will be based on cumulative age-graded performance. Prizes will be local libations and bragging rights. Teams can be clubs, past collegiate teams, or any other combination of 3–5 runners you can come up with. You can declare and manage your team on our public Google Sheet until race day—just don’t mess with any other teams!”

Nice.

Creativity counts, so try entering a five-member team of balding Jewish hurdlers with ACL injuries. Hey, that’s MY team! See you there.

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