FDR Senior Gets 3rd Chance At Girls Elite Mile at NYRR Millrose Games

By Theresa Juva Brown for DyeStat

Already a two-time competitor in the elite New Balance girls mile at the NYRR Millrose Games, Sarah Trainor will be a race veteran when she steps to the starting line for a third and final time Saturday. But this year’s appearance is extra special for the senior from Franklin D. Roosevelt High School in Hyde Park, N.Y.

Since suffering a stress fracture last spring and taking much of the fall to recover, Trainor — the national record-holder in the 2,000-meter steeplechase — is determined to return to the top of her game. 

“I am always looking to (set a personal record) and be better than I've ever been,” said Trainor, who marked a major milestone in her comeback when she won the mile in 4:58 at the Millrose Games Trials last month at The Armory.

SATURDAY'S NYRR MILLOSE GAMES VIEWING INFO

Last May, Trainor was on a tear. She ran a stunning 6:29.08 on her home track to set a new girls national record in the 2,000-meter steeplechase, and she seemed poised to win the event in June at New Balance Outdoor Nationals. But after capturing the state steeplechase title, a growing pain in Trainor’s shin brought her exceptional season to a frustrating halt.

Brian Halling, who coached Trainor for four years until last fall, said it was tough to hold Trainor back from nationals, but he doesn’t regret his decision. The nagging pain in her shin turned out to be a stress fracture. 

“Looking back, we treated it right and handled it the best we could,” Halling said. 

Forced to stop running and watch her teammates from the sidelines, Trainor felt discouraged during her hiatus. 

“I had the ability to occupy my time with other exercises to increase my overall strength, but I had a really bad mindset,” she said. “I was stubborn and hated cross training so I set myself back even farther.”

When she returned to running last fall, Trainor was eager to get back into shape, though it took longer than she wanted. At the state cross country championships in November, she finished 19th and kept plugging away at miles and workouts.

In January at the Millrose Games Trials, she got a positive sign that her persistence was paying off. 

Trainor won the mile, edging out Lawrenceville School NJ sophomore Charlotte Bednar and earning a spot at the NYRRR Millrose Games for the third time. 

Even though Trainor said she had hoped to run faster, FDR track coach Pete Buttitta, who describes Trainor as “the heart of our program,” was thrilled with her performance. 

“We had a feeling that this race would be a good one for her and would do a lot to build her confidence again,” he said. “She didn’t disappoint.” 

Now focused on Millrose, Trainor, who plans to run for University of North Carolina this fall, is excited to test her renewed fitness on an even bigger stage.

“I'd love to hit 4:50. It would be a two-second PR, and I am confident that I finally have some quality training and mileage under my belt again,” she said. 

Trainor will join a high-caliber field that includes future Tar Heel teammate, Taryn Parks of Greencastle-Antrim PA, and reigning Millrose champion, Marlee Starliper. Last year, Starliper, a senior at Northern PA, took first in 4:41.6, a new meet record, with Trainor placing 11th in 4:59.76.

Beavercreek OR senior Taylor Ewert, a steeplechase star from Beavercreek, Ohio and an Olympic race walk hopeful, is also slated to compete.

Additionally, national leader Juliette Whittaker, a sophomore from Mt. de Sales MD, is entered. She ran 4:44.75 on Jan. 4 at the Hispanic Games on the Armory track. 

Halling, now a coach and teacher at Bronxville High in Bronxville, N.Y., said Trainor has come a long way from the eighth-grader who struggled with pre-race nerves.

“She has a lot more confidence,” he said. “I think she’s always had the drive, but what’s hard for Sarah is she has a personality that is fun-loving and bubbly, and the competing part of it doesn’t come naturally. That competitive edge has been developed over time. She knows how to prepare and how to be ready. She has grown up so much as an athlete.”