Severna Park High School Coach Second in World for 5000 Meter

When the Cross Country team begins training again this fall, they will be joined by a world class runner. This summer, assistant coach, Elmer McPhail secured his place as second in the world in the 5000 meter track distance with a 17:00:60 finish in the World Masters Championships in Sacramento, CA.

Coach McPhail’s second place finish comes on the heels of a spectacular marathon performance earlier this year.  In April, McPhail competed in the prestigious Boston Marathon, completing the course in a blazing 2:50:39 and placing second in his age group. 

Speaking of his performance in Boston, McPhail said, “I had no idea I could do that. I had certainly not expected it.”

McPhail repeated these words almost verbatim last week upon his return from the World Masters Championships.  Having gone to compete in both the 5000 meter and the 1500 meter track events, McPhail understood the level of competition he would be facing.

“Ninety countries were represented at the Championships this year,” McPhail said, “I raced against 20 just in my heat during the 5000 meter race.”

In addition to the competition, McPhail went into the 5000 with the disadvantage of having to run the slow heat.  He would not be pushed by the faster runners.  He would not be able to tuck in behind a pack and coast around the course.  Instead he found himself out front, having to pull the pack and rely on his own mental fortitude to keep the pace.

“I lapped everybody twice except the second and third place guy in my heat,” McPhail said.

While McPhail was pleased with his win in the 5000 meter race, he was elated by his performance in the 1500 meter race.   

“I usually have a couple of goals going into a race,” McPhail said, “My goal going into this race was first, to make it to the final, second to make it to the medal stands and third to get as close as I could to a 4:25.”

This last goal was, according to McPhail was a real reach. “I haven’t run anywhere close to 4:25 since I was in my 30s.”

During the race McPhail had to fight for every meter he covered.  There came a point during the race where his quadriceps locked up in severe cramps.  He began to doubt he would even finish. 

Having pushed up to second place before the cramps hit, he watched as two runners passed him, pushing him back to fourth place.  But still he fought and finished in an incredible 4:36:27.”

said, “Coach McPhail’s work ethic is amazing and is something that is awesome for our young athletes to see," said Coach Josh Alcombright who was with McPhail in Boston, MA and has followed his progress throughout the year.

"He is tough and really commits himself to doing his best every time he competes. I am so happy for him not just as a fellow runner and coach but even more so because he is a great friend of mine. He deserves all the accolades and attention he is and should get from his performance at the World Masters Games,” he said.

McPhail is not a push over with his runners.  He expects the best out of each and everyone of them, and because he leads by example, because he always gives his best, he usually gets it.