National records set at Manning

LYNN – With just under 10 minutes to go in the women?s 1-hour run at Manning Field, race assistant Joe Abelon informed those present that Katie Misuraca of Gloucester had set a national record.?She just passed the record,” Abelon said. “Katie Misuraca has already passed the American open record for women. She?s still got nine minutes more of running. She?s putting mileage on that.”Misuraca, 33, finished having run 16,021 meters in 60 minutes, a total of 9.955 miles. The previous record was 13,792 meters, established by Kay Capozzi in St. Petersburg, Fla., in 1985.It was a multiple-record night at Manning as Jennifer Rapaport of Melrose set a national mark in the 50-54 years old division with 14,440 meters (8.973 miles), besting Nicki Hobson?s 14,113 set in San Diego in 1981.Four other finishers had distances that also put them under the previous American open record: Nicole Casey of Watertown (15,370 meters); Layce Alves of Rockport (15,322); Aly Millett of Boston (15,133); and Dawn McGrath of Lynn (14,736).Misuraca had run the Yankee Homecoming 10-miler last month, and was the first female finisher, with a 6-minute-per-mile pace. Abelon had identified her as the favorite to break the women?s 1-hour record before Monday?s race.?I?m a pretty steady runner,” said Misuraca, who runs for the Boston Athletic Association. “I spend a lot of time focusing on pace.”Asked how she felt to hold a national record, she said, “It?s a real surprise. It?s nothing I would have ever expected. I just don?t see myself as that competitive of a runner.”Rapaport, a member of the Somerville Road Runners, created a strategy to break the record for her age group.?I looked at the record I had to beat,” she said. “I needed 6:40-6:44 per mile. I ran every lap the same, a 6:40 pace, 1:40 per lap. Almost every lap the same pace until there were six laps left. I picked it up a little bit to make sure I had it with room to spare.”Rapaport broke the record after the 2-minute mark, and the achievement was announced by Abelon.?It?s pretty cool,” she said. “I?m 50. Who thinks you?re going to get a record at 50?”The event was part of the inaugural Summer Adult Track series at Manning Field. A men?s one-hour run followed the women?s event. The men?s winner was Chris Smith of Woburn, followed by Joe O?Leary of Medford and Kenneth Noyes of Gloucester.Misuraca ran Manning Field for the first time Monday.?It?s gorgeous,” she said. “What a wonderful facility. It?s nice. I?m glad they?re making use out of it.”?It was a good event,” race series director Bill Mullen said. “The women ran very well in their age groups and the open division. It was exciting to see them run.”