CRC Elite History

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2020

CRC Elite is represented by 6 current athletes at the 2020 Olympic Trials Marathon in Atlanta. Christina Murphy, Sakiko Minagawa, Sarah Biehl, and Laura Kaulen ran for the women while Justin Taylor and Jason Witt ran for the men.

2019

James Ngandu continues his dominance, taking down CRC Elite records in the road 5k (13:57), 8k (23:24), 10k (28:40), & half marathon (61:47). James wins the Columbus 1/2 Marathon, crushing the course record by 31 seconds to finish in 1:02:14.

Jake Edwards wins the Drake Relays mile, qualifies for the USATF Outdoor Track & Field national championships in the 1500m, and races at nationals.

Laura Kaulen qualifies for the Olympic Trials Marathon - her second - with a 2:42:48 at the Chicago Marathon.

Jason Witt follows Christina up by qualifying for the Olympic Trials Marathon himself with a 2:18:22 at the Columbus Marathon.

2018

Rachel Weber blazes through the indoor track season, picking up 800m wins in Michigan and Pennsylvania - while setting a facility record at Univ of Michigan. Rachel runs 2:06.21 to qualify for the USATF Indoor Track & Field National Championships. The Ohio State University record holder for 800m leads CRC's cross country team at USATF Club XC Championships earlier in the winter too.

Christina Murphy wins Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon in 2:40:43 and qualifies for the 2020 Olympic Marathon Trials. Sarah Biehl qualifies just behind her with a 2:44:25.

James Ngandu joins the team and immediately wins the Columbus 1/2 Marathon.  He rides that streak into 2019, winning half marathons in Philly and Austin.

Sakiko Minagawa (2:44:49) and Justin Taylor (2:18:35) qualify for the 2020 Olympic Trials Marathon at the California International Marathon, adding to CRC's largest Trials squad yet. 

2017

Jake Edwards tears up the road mile scene, racks up more sub-4 miles, and makes his steeplechase debut on the track during the spring and summer.

Evan Schwartz qualifies for the 2020 Olympic Marathon Trials at the California International Marathon with a time of 2:18:17.

2016

Christina Murphy & Laura Kaulen both compete in the Olympic Trials Marathon in Los Angeles.

2015

Joe Guerra qualifies for the San Marino national team, competing in the 800m and 1500m at the Games of the Small States of Europe in Iceland.

2014

Jake Edwards runs a sub-4 minute mile during both the indoor track season and the outdoor track season, making him the first CRC Elite athlete to compete at a USATF Indoor National Championship that February in New Mexico.

That fall, Laura Kaulen wins the Erie Marathon in 2:42:12, qualifying her for the 2016 Olympic Trials Marathon, as teammates Mike Aldrink and Stephanie Hillman win the Erie men’s marathon and women’s half marathon as well.

2013 

Christina Murphy wins our hometown Columbus Marathon in 2:39:15, qualifying for the 2016 Olympic Trials in her first marathon attempt.

2012

Jason Lokwatom wins the Pisa Marathon in 2:19:44, one of his several marathon victories in the CRC singlet.

That same year, Josh Ordway runs in his second Olympic Trials as a member of CRC Elite.

2011

Paige Biglin & Liz Maus rewrite the CRC Elite women’s records on the track and the roads, both setting PRs all season long.

2010

Josh Ordway runs a 2:16 at the Houston Marathon to earn an Olympic Trials qualifier for 2012.

That fall, younger brother Jason Ordway runs 2:18:03 to win the Columbus Marathon in an Olympic Trials qualifying time of his own.

And to add to CRC’s Ohio marathon victories, Brandon Bauer took the title at the Cleveland Marathon.

2008

Krista Seibert earns a position as an elite starter at the 2008 Boston Marathon.

In the fall, Josh Ordway wins the Columbus Marathon.

2007

Jim Jurcevich & Josh Ordway compete at the Olympic Trials, held in New York City’s Central Park in November.

That same year, the Columbus Running Company hosts the USATF Club Cross Country Championships at Voice of America Park, with Eric Fruth serving as meet director and Jim Jurcevich serving as elite athlete coordinator.

2006

Jim Jurcevich qualifies for his third Olympic Trials by running the Austin Marathon in 2:14:28, with CRC Elite teammate Josh Ordway qualifying for his first Trials with a 2:15:39 finish. The duo dominate central Ohio races.

2005

Mike Korir & Ruth Biwott, Kenyans based out of Columbus for the summer, tear up the road racing scene while training and racing with CRC’s Jim Jurcevich, fresh off of his second Olympic Trials.

That fall, Matt DeLeon is the top American finisher at the Amsterdam Marathon, where CRC Elite gets the chance to compare training notes with Haile Gebrselassie, the greatest runner of the era.

2004

CRC Elite is founded at a summer road race by original members Matt DeLeon, Troy Reine, & Eric Fruth, with Jenn Ernst, Matt Suttle, and Aaron Rowe joining soon after to round out the original roster.