Claire Howlett, a standout distance runner from Westhill High School in Connecticut, ran a 5K time of 16:28.71 on the track at the Spartan Midnight-Sunrise Invitational (Woodbridge, CT) on Saturday that puts her just inside of the US top 15 all-time performer list in the event outdoors. For the senior Howlett, her US #14 all-time 5K race on Saturday which she won by a margin of 66 seconds, ended up being a 17 second PR from her 5th place All-American 16:45 effort last June at the New Balance Nationals Outdoor. She went under 17 minutes again at the New Balance Nationals Indoor this past March with a 16:58 third place run at the Armory in New York City.
Howlett is part of the loaded class of incoming female distance and middle distance runners headed to Stanford University this coming fall as she herself boasts PR's of 4:53 in the 1600 and 10:20 in the 3200 to go along with her new impressive all-time best performance in the 5K.
- Claire Howlett Athlete Profile & Stats
- High School Girls 5K Outdoor National Rankings
- Spartan Midnight-Sunrise Invitational
Q&A Interview with Claire Howlett following her US #14 all-time 16:28 5K
MileSplit US: So let's talk about the 16:28 5K race... Did you come in with any specific goals or strategy on how to run the race?
Howlett: This was my first race of the season apart from a few dual meets, so I just wanted to get out there and run a fast time. I was hoping to beat my PR of 16:45 from outdoors last year, but apart from that, I just wanted to see what I could do heading into the postseason.
MileSplit US: What kind of splits did you hit during the race? 1600 and or 3200? How were you able to push yourself in the race getting so far ahead of the next competitor?
Howlett: I went through the first mile pretty fast, I think it was in 5:08, and then I evened out the pace a little and went through the 3200 in 10:30. I wanted to get out fast to set myself up to run a good time overall, and I basically maintained my pace for as long as I could in the second and third mile. Since I was by myself the whole time, I tried to push myself using the clock and after the first half I motivated myself by trying to lap people. I hardly ever lead during races - I almost always end up sitting and kicking - so it was a big confidence booster to see that I could lead the whole time and still run well.
MileSplit US:You have raced the 5K a couple times now on the track including back to back All-American finishes in New Balance Nationals. Do you actually enjoy or look forward to the opportunities to run 12.5 laps (25 indoors) around a track?
Howlett: Running the 5k still makes me a little nervous because it's so long, but typically the longer the race, the better I perform. I think I'll probably end up running the 5k in college so it's good to prepare for that by running 5ks in high school.
MileSplit US: The time ranks you US #14 all-time in the event outdoors. Did you realize how well the time ranks you historically as one of the fastest times ever by a high school girls? What does it mean to you to be ranked that high on the all-time list?
Howlett: I didn't realize that the time was US #14 until way after the race when they made an announcement. It wasn't on my radar at all going into the race, I was just trying to run well for myself. It means a lot to me to make the all-time list because I never imagined I could run at that level. It also gets me excited because I'm hoping to run a faster time in the 5k at nationals, so maybe I can get even higher on that list before my time in high school is up.
MileSplit US: That class of runners headed to Stanford University next fall is a pretty special group of some of the nation's best. Are you really excited to seeing what will happen over the next 4-5 years getting the opportunity to develop as runner with that group of incoming freshmen?
Howlett: I'm excited and humbled to be part of such an incredible recruiting class. Every time I go on milesplit I see the amazing times being produced by my future teammates. I've also gotten the chance to race against some of the girls in my recruiting class and they're all great athletes. I'm looking forward to training and competing with such a talented group of people, and hopefully you'll see great things from Stanford in the next four years!
MileSplit US: Warmer weather has come to New England finally after a cold and snowy winter. How has training gone for you lately and what meets are you looking forward to running in later this season?
Howlett: The training is 100x better with the warm weather! It's been nice to finally get some consistent work in without the cold. In the next couple of weeks I'll probably run the 1600m and 3200m at our conference and state championships. There are a ton of great runners in CT right now, so those will be competitive races. Then I'll most likely run another 5k at New Balance Nationals.
MileSplit US: You and Hannah Debalsi have had a pretty incredible in-state rivalry the past few years. Are you hoping the final chapter or last race against in her high school will be a win? How difficult or hard have you been pushed to finish ahead of her in races?
Howlett: Honestly, I care much more about running fast times than getting a win. Hannah is amazing and the best part about racing her is that I always run fastest when she's in my race. My ultimate goal at the state meet is to PR in the 1600 and 3200 and end my high school career with times that I can be proud of. I always have to push pretty hard to stay with her during races, but in the end I'm glad she's there to push me. As long as I run fast, I couldn't care less who wins states this year.
MileSplit US:What is the thing that you are looking forward to most from the big change in scenery from CT to Cali in the fall?
Howlett: The perfect running weather! Lots of sun, no snow, and no humidity.