The TEN: World Men's 10k

Since its inception The TEN has annually been the most competitive 10k domestically and one of the most competitive 10ks in the world for both men and women. Jesse Williams, the mastermind behind this event, has once again assembled world-class fields with the athletes chasing World Championship/Olympic standards of 27:10(27:00 Oly) & 30:40 for men and women, respectively. For those a bit more ambitious, national records might fall as well. The following is a breakdown of the men's field assembled, with a focus on those athletes that have the best chance of meeting the qualifying standards.

World Men's 10k

Last year's edition of this race was mind blowing. Up front there was a team of pacers towing Grant Fisher and Mo Ahmed along at American record pace (26:44). As each of the pacers fulfilled their duties the torch was passed onto the next in line. It was a thing of beauty, a well oiled machine executing its task with pinpoint precision. Woody Kincaid was the last pacer to step off the track at 7k. It was then up to Ahmed and Fisher to maintain the pace, and maintain the pace they did. Teammates through and through they exchanged the lead making sure that the remaining pacing duties were evenly split. As Fisher was leading going into the last lap, it was on the backstretch that Ahemd decided to make his bid for the finish. Having laid claim to the lead just before the last curve it looked like Ahmed had victory in hand, but Fisher had other plans. What happened in the last straight was like a scene out of The Fast and the Furious. Fisher timed his finish perfectly, having saved his nitrous for this moment. He kicked it into gear, at first pulling even with Ahmed then edging him at the line to win in 26:33.84 to Ahmed's 26:34.14. Both men setting national records for the U.S. and Canada, respectively. Alas, that isn't the end of the highlights. Following in the wake of Fisher and Ahmed, Jack Raynor of Australia ran 27:15.35 and Andy Butchart of Scotland ran 27:36.77, both setting national records as well. A night for the record books.

While this year's edition may not have quite the same firepower upfront, there is reason to believe that this year's race will have more depth. Barring injury, there are four athletes that are capable of the Olympic standard of sub 27:00. They are Woody Kincaid, Joe Klecker, Luis Grijalva and Sam Atkin.

Woody Kincaid put the track and field community on notice this indoor season. No longer running for the Bowerman Track Club, he set out on his own, landing in Flagstaff under the watchful eye of Mike Smith. Apparently the change in pace has served Kincaid well. A late entrant into the Boston University Terrier Classic 5000m, one didn't know what to expect from him. Kincaid did not disappoint. Having stalked Klecker for most of the race, Kincaid began to fade in its dying moments. Then the bell rang and in that instant Kincaid dug into the greatest depths of his being to summon a 26.27 last 200, to blow by Klecker and win the race in a new American record of 12:51.61. Well played sir, we're all watching you now.

We got an inside look into Joe Klecker's fitness when Citius Mag posted a video of a sub 4 minute 1600 the group had run as a prelude to a workout. Given the elevation of Boulder and the ease with which it was run, one knew that Klecker was ready to break 13 minutes for 5000m. Klecker stated that as his goal and he delievered at the Terrier Classic, running 12:54.99. Two weeks later Klecker followed up that performance at the Millrose Games running a 7:34.14 for 3000m. These races being mere stepping stones for Klecker as he prepares to chase the Olympic standard at The TEN.

Luis Grijalva had his coming out party this past summer. He cruised through the opening round of the 5000m earning himself a spot in the final. Having made it to the final it was time to showcase his fitness and he did just that, finishing just outside the medals in 4th place, ahead of Bowerman Track Club teammates Mo Ahmed and Grant Fisher. Building off that momentum, Grijalva wasted no time in asserting himself this indoor season. He opened up at the Terrier Classic, winning the mile handily in 3:53.53. He then followed up that performance with a 2nd place finish at the MIllrose Games, running 7:33.86 beating Joe Klecker in the process. Grijalva is ready to run the Olympic standard, and if he does that, he'll break the Guatemalan national record as well.

Last but not least is Sam Atkin. At this event last year Atkin was one of the pacers, this year he's one of the main protagonists. Atkin emerged as a force to be reckon with indoors of last year, running 13:03.64 at the Boston University Valentine Invitational. He then went on to qualify for the World Championships in the 5000m, not advancing past the heats. His outdoor season didn't quite pan out the way one would have anticipated given his indoor season, but he has since rectified the situation. Racing the 3000m at the Terrier Classic, Atkin placed 2nd behind Yared Nuguse in a time of 7:31.97, breaking Mo Farah's British record. Should Atkin hit the nail on the head, he has got a shot at Farah's 10k record as well.

The other athletes in this race to keep an eye on are as follows:

Sean McGorty - Last year at this meet McGorty finished the 10k in 27:18.15. Even though he has yet to race this indoor season, it's not a far stretch of the imagination that's he'll be able to whittle that time down to sub 27:10.

Conner Mantz - An old coach of mine always used to say, "you've got to temper the steel before you put an edge on it". Well, after Mantz's 2:08.16 marathon debut at Chicago this past fall, the second fastest debut by an American ever, it's safe to say that Mantz tempered the steel plenty. Now it's time to see what kind of edge he and Coach Eyestone can put on that fitness.

Ben Flanagan - Flanagan has been on a bit of a tear the past few months. At the Valencia Half Marathon in October he set the now former Canadian record at 61 minutes flat. He has since gone on to set personal bests this indoor season running 13:11.12 for 5k at the Terrier Classic and 7:43.49 for 3k at the New Balance Grand Prix.

The Ten will be broadcast on March 4th at 6:15 PST on Tracklnd.com for $5.99. Of that $5.99, $4.00 will go into the prize purse.