Five Buffs secure national mark in marathon

OAK RIDGE, Tenn. (Nov. 23, 2020) – Led by a runner-up finish from Alex Mortimer, the Milligan University men's track & field team posted several national qualifying marks this past weekend at the Secret City Half Marathon and 5k.

"Our men had not been on the Oak Ridge course before and we knew it had a hill element to it, but they navigated this well and took care of business," said Head Coach Chris Layne. "I was really pleased with every single one of them."

Mortimer was the first of five Buffs to earn a national qualifying mark in the marathon. He ran the half in 1:11:46, well under the national A standard. Andrew Burton (1:11:47), Tyler Bates (1:11:59), Eli Baldy (1:12:02) and Evan Henson (1:14:08) followed Mortimer in the next four spots as the Buffs went two through six at the event. Burton, Bates and Baldy all hit the A standard as well.

"So much is uncertain with COVID-19 so we wanted to take advantage of their fitness coming off cross country and get one of these out of the way early," Layne added.

Freshman Chris Upham posted a strong debut in 1:18:40 to finish 10th.