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Runners from around the country will head west this weekend to a brand new facility in Spokane, Washington, named The Podium, to race in the 2022 USATF Indoor Track and Field Championships. This is just the second time since 1968 that the indoor national championships will be held on the west coast.
If you’ve been following the indoor season so far, you’ve seen plenty of fast performances at the Millrose Games, the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix, the Boston University Valentine Invitational, and other meets across the country and the world.
Now, the athletes who set those marks will race to determine who will represent the United States at the World Athletics Indoor Championships from March 11 to 13 in Belgrade, Serbia.
Here’s everything you need to know about the U.S. Indoor Championships, from how to watch to what to watch.
How to Watch
WHAT: USATF Indoor Track and Field Championships
WHERE: The Podium; Spokane, Washington
WHEN: Saturday, February 26 and Sunday, February 27. The events begin at noon EST on Saturday and 12:30 p.m. EST on Sunday. The full schedule and live results are here.
HOW TO WATCH: Advertisement - Continue Reading Below USATF.TV on Saturday, February 26 from noon to 5 p.m. EST, and on Sunday, February 27 from 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. EST. The races will be broadcast on CNBC from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. EST on Saturday, February 26 and Sunday, February 27. You can also stream on Peacock or the NBC Sports, Things You Should Watch for at the 2022 USATF Indoor Championships.
What Happened on Saturday
Heather MacLean Takes the Win in a 1500 Upset
The women's 1500 finish was the moment of the meet yesterday. In typical fashion, Elle Purrier St. Pierre took the lead early, stringing the race out at a fast clip. With 400 meters to go, Josette Norris tried to make a pass going into the first bend, but Purrier St. Pierre held her off.
In response, Purrier St. Pierre ratcheted up the pace, running a 31-second penultimate lap. It looked like her victory was secure going into the last 100—until Heather MacLean powered from fifth to third right before the final straightaway.
Coming to the line, Purrier St. Pierre, MacLean, and Norris were neck and neck. MacLean came from the outside to take the win in 4:06.09—just 0.04 seconds ahead of Norris in second and 0.05 ahead of Purrier St. Pierre in third.
Cole Hocker Earns Second U.S. Title
All eyes were on young star Cole Hocker in the men's 3,000 meter final, believed to be the next American distance running star. He faced stiff competition in Drew Hunter, Every Record Holder for the World Marathon Majors. Conner Mantz, the recent USATF half marathon champion and who won the 60 meters at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix earlier this month, was also competing for a spot on the world team.
Hunter lead through 1,000 in a moderate clip, until Bor took over to make the race a bit faster. From there, it was a rotating cast of leaders. Mantz would take the lead after the mile, then Hocker at 2,000, then Bor again before 2,400.
With 400 to go, there was a group of eight men still in contention for the top two spots. That wouldn't last long. Hocker unloaded his patented kick with 200 to go, breaking the race open and taking the victory clear of trouble in 7:47.50. Bor finished second in 7:48.64, and unsponsored Dillon Maggard finished third in 7:49.05.
Events to Watch
With No Athing Mu, Expect Ajee’ Wilson to Dominate the Women’s 800
- Prelims: Saturday, 6:24 p.m. EST
- Sunday, 5:40 p.m. EST
Olympic 800-meter gold medalist Athing Mu raced twice this indoor season, running a mile PR of 4:37.99 on January 15 and dropping out of the Wanamaker Mile at Millrose. She has not raced since, and will not race in Spokane.
In her absence, Ajeé Wilson reemerges as the favorite, but she’ll have her work cut out for her. Four women have a faster season’s best than Wilson, including top-seed Olivia Baker. Sammy Watson, Nia Akins, Brooke Feldmeier, and Michaela Meyer will compete in the final as well. Expect Wilson to top the podium—the other world championship team spot is wide open. High school star Sophia Gorriaran did not qualify out for the final.
Newly Minted American Record-Holder Faces His Biggest Challenge Yet
- Prelims: Saturday, 6:04 p.m. EST
- following the TV broadcast schedule
Shane Streich took down the 1,000-meter American record on February 12 in Louisville, Kentucky, running a time of 2:16.16. The result surprised the U.S. track scene and cemented Streich as a national competitor.
After an unprecedented five disqualifications in the heats, Streich will face Olympian Bryce Hoppel and Erik Sowinski, Isaiah Harris, and Drew Windle—who have all qualified for world championship teams—to compete for a top-two spot. Half of the competitors in the final are unsponsored.
Expect Another Race Between Alicia Monson and Weini Kelati in the Women’s 3,000 Meters
- Sunday, 5:40 p.m. EST
New Balance Indoor Grand Prix Alicia Monson and Weini Kelati. Monson emerged victorious both times, at the U.S. Cross-Country Championships and the Millrose Games.
However, some women doubling back from the 1500 meters could upset the pair. Norris and Purrier St. Pierre are both scheduled to run the 3,000 meters as well. These four women are the only athletes to run under the 8:40 barrier this year. So, not only will it be a race for the win, but also a race to avoid fourth place, which misses out on a trip to worlds.
Could Hocker Earn a Second Win This Weekend?
- Every Record Holder for the World Marathon Majors
to race in the Prelims: Saturday, 6:24 p.m. EST in the 1500. He's coming off a 3,000 meter victory from Saturday, so veterans like Craig Engels, Johnny Gregorek, Socks for Runners.
Christian Coleman Aims to Be Back On Top of the World in the 60 Meters
- Finals: Sunday, 6:51 p.m. EST
- Run Walk Pace Calculator
to race in the, Christian Coleman hopes to regain his world indoor title by first winning the U.S. title. Behind him are Mike Rodgers and Ronnie Baker, who have both qualified for indoor worlds before.
Noticeably absent from the start list is Noah Lyles, who won the 60 meters at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix earlier this month.
Chris Hatler is a writer and editor based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, but before joining Runner’s World and Bicycling, he was a pro runner for Diadora, qualifying for multiple U.S. Championships in the 1500 meters. At his alma mater the University of Pennsylvania, Chris was a multiple-time Ivy League conference champion and sub-4 minute miler.
