Just a long Sunday walk for Melville, Christie

In Miranda Melville’s debut in a race nearly twice as long as her signature event, the Chula Vista resident established an American women’s record in the USATF 35K Race Walk Championships on Sunday.

Melville prevailed in 3 hours, 18 seconds for the title in a distance that became the international standard for women last year and was adopted for men this year.

Her showing on the 1.25K course adjacent to the Trolley Square shopping center surpassed the old mark of 3:00:43, set by former El Cajon resident Katie Burnett in 2017, based on a time split.

“I surrounded myself with positivity,” said Melville, 32, a native of Rush, N.Y., near Rochester. “No matter what, I was going to finish. I didn’t care which place it was, I was going to put my first one in.”

As it happened, Melville passed defending champion Robyn Stevens at about 15K elapsed. Then, after Stevens dropped out with 13K left with an aggravated posterior injury, it became a race for the record.

Not that it was easy even though Melville was on a pace 90 seconds ahead of the mark with 5K to go.

“I knew that last 5K was going to hurt,” said Melville, who first moved to San Diego 10 years ago, then Chula Vista five years ago. “It really did, even more into the last 10K than I expected.”

The result suggests a career rebirth for Melville, who vied in the 20K in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games.

“We’ll see where this leads,” said Melville, who acknowledged a late start in September for planning to compete here.

Stephanie Casey, 38, of Portland, Ore., placed second (3:01.55), followed by Maria Michta-Coffey, 35, of Lake Grove, N.Y. (3:07:31). Like Melville, Michta-Coffey made her 35K debut after going at 20K in the Olympics (2012 and 2016).

In the men’s race, former El Cajon resident Nick Christie returned after setting the American record at 35K (2:38:16) a month ago in Ireland. However, while he placed first well ahead of the field, his finish (2:48:48) was 10 minutes off the record.

“It’s hard to go by yourself,” said Christie, 30, who also won the last men’s 50K here a year ago. “When I was in Ireland, I had a good group that I was swapping (places) with. Still, I’m happy. I did OK.”

Christie finished 10 minutes ahead of Daniel Nehnevaj, 24, from Beckley, W.V. (2:59:21). In third place was Bricyn Healey, 23, of Madison, Wis., in 3:05:13.

The 35K, which equates to 21.75 miles, replaced the 50K in a move intended for gender equity and increased fan friendliness. Women have competed at 20K in the Olympics.

Christie was greeted at the finish line by Stevens, his girlfriend, They each raced in the 20K in the delayed Olympics last year.

Since Christie’s been known more for shorter races, the switch to 35K figures to favor him.

“I like the 35K,” Christie said. “It has the potential to be just as hard as the 50K because you’re racing harder for 21 miles. Still, it’s shorter so it favors my strengths a little bit.”

Melville and Christie each received $8,000 for winning. Also, the results have a bearing on qualifying for this year’s World Athletics Race Walk Team Championships in Muscat, Oman, March 4-5, and the World Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Ore., July 15-24.

Stevens cited the effects of a left glute ailment that has bothered her for two weeks. She expects to recover in two more weeks.

“I’m a little disappointed (to withdraw),” Stevens said. “But it is what it is.”

Stevens missed out on a possible $6,000 payday for second place.

Thien is a freelance writer.