The USATF-NE Road Grand Prix continues this weekend at the New Hampshire 10 Miler and per usual, there will be some exciting competition. Here’s who to expect up front out of the entry list circa 8/25/2016:

Men’s Field:

• Amos Sang (Western Mass Distance Project) – This guy’s been on a tear lately and he’s a definite favorite to win. His recent accomplishments include a 29’37 solo 10k at the Friday Night Lights race, a win at the Bobby Doyle 5 Miler via 24’05 under extreme heat and humidity, and a 36’02 at Falmouth last weekend for 12th overall. Amos is also the reigning event record holder for the NH 10 Miler with a 50’39 in 2014.
• John Raneri (Brooks) – If anyone’s gonna give Amos a run for his money, professional athlete John Raneri could be the guy to do it. A former UNC Tar Heel, his list of accomplishments includes the following: 2x NCAA XC Championships Qualifier. 1500m PR of 3’50, 5k PR of 14’07, 10k PR of 29’48, Half Marathon PR of 64’26, and a full 26.22 miles in 2’18’06. Raneri placed 50th at the Olympic Trials Marathon in February.
• Ruben Sanca (Brooks/Whirlaway) – By way of Cape Verde, Ruben is a well-known running figure in the New England area. He ran his debut marathon in 2’18 in Rotterdam, boasts a half marathon PR of 65’24, and competed in the 2012 Olympic 5k representing his native lands. Ruben was 5th at the Bobby Doyle race and seeks to better that finish at the NH10.
• Dan Vassallo (CMS) – Any New Englander may have witnessed this guy win at least one race before. He’s a 2’17 marathoner who placed 42nd at the trials. On that note, Dan is always up for a top-notch performance.
• Scott Mindel (Saucony Hurricanes/CMS) – A teammate of Vassallo’s, Scott has been performing well over the recent past and will likely be stride for stride with some of the front runners. Recent accomplishments for him include a 5th place finish at the famed CIGNA/Elliott Corporate Road Race, a 31’47 at the Beach to Beacon 10k, and getting married to his wife Sasha less that two weeks ago. Not to mention Mr. Mindel was last year’s NH 10 Mile champion by over 3 minutes.
• Teage O’Connor (Green Mountain Athletic Association) – We can count on one hand how many times we’ve seen Teague lace up a pair of shoes for a race. The Burlington, VT native is hands down the strongest barefoot runner in the region, possibly in the nation. He placed 11th at the Bobby Doyle Summer Classic two weeks ago and has ran sub-15 in the 5k, sub-25 at 5 miles, and a 68 minute half marathon, all with bare feet on pavement. He’s a definite candidate to crack into the top 10, possibly the top five over the hilly New Hampshire 10 Mile course.

Photo credit Scott Mason via the LVL 10k Version 4.0

Women’s Field:

• Heather Cappello (B.A.A.) – Two weeks ago, we saw Heather tear it up significantly at the Bobby Doyle Summer Classic, winning by over 40 seconds. Though early in the season for her, Heather is in fabulous shape relative to the rest of the region and could definitely swipe her 2nd straight USATF-NE road title this Saturday.
• Meagan Nedlo (Craft Concept Racing) – Given she’s fit, Meagan Nedlo could lead the march for a formidable Craft Concept Racing Women’s team and challenge Heather Cappello for the top honors. Her resume consists of a 16’35 5k PR, 34’37 10k PR, 77’19 half PR, and a blazing 2’39’02 marathon best. Not to mention her current 10 mile best of 57’21 is quicker than the NH 10 event record of 57’47 established by Dirigo’s Erica Jesseman just last year.
• Kaitlin Sheedy (Craft Concept Racing) – Kaitlin was the top gal for a strong Craft team at the Bobby Doyle race two weeks ago. She placed 8th overall and the team was a close 2nd to the Greater Boston Track Club. She joins her teammate Nedlo as one of the top women registered so far.
• Liz Ryan (Greater Boston Track Club) – Liz is another local stud who frequents the top of the results pages. This Brown University Alum has since done great things with her running career since donning the GBTC Red – she’s less than a minute off the Olympic Trials Qualifier in the marathon and has lead a stellar Greater Boston Women’s team at Boston the past couple years.
• Rachel Sorna (The Heartbreakers) – A 3 x NCAA D1 All-American while at Cornell, Rachel brings forth one heck of a resume and is definitely capable of breaking up the Craft Concept party. Her collegiate personal records include 4’47 mile, 9’09 3k, 15’53 5k, 33’34 10k, and an astounding 9’43 steeple. Post-collegiately, she’s gone 76’51 over a half marathon and was 12th at USATF Half Championships this year. Formerly of Battle Road TC, Rachel is looking to break some hearts on race day and contend for an individual title.
• Rachel Coogan (Boston Athletic Association) – You wouldn’t think Coogan was a rower in college when you see the kind of results she’s put down in the recent past. Coogan set the pace as the title-winning B.A.A.’s top finisher at Boston this year and also competed well at the New Bedford Half this past March. If she’s fit, she’s got potential to contend with the top ladies.
• Regina Loiacano (Central Mass Striders) – Regina may be scoring within the Master’s category, but she’s been mixing it up with the youngin’s lately and will most likely be quick enough to score for the Central Mass Open Team as well. Her top 10 finish at Bobby Doyle, 40-44 Master’s US Mountain Title, along with other great performances have proved to us she’s capable of doing some damage on race day.

Mind you there is always the chance of a darkhorse pulling a race day reg and contending for the win, but this is a solid list of who might be up front that we know is competing. The Legion will be at the reservoir this weekend to bring you all the exciting coverage. Pay attention to our twitter feed for live tweets and keep your eyes peeled for photos, videos, articles, and interviews in the days following the event.