The Best Name in Running

Over the last two weeks, 32 athletes have been competing in head-to-head competition for the honor of having the coolest name in elite running.

And the winner is...Tripp Hurt!

Tripp Hurt defeated Gretchen Speed 2,654 to 1,471 in the final voting to take the championship. In the previous round, Tripp Hurt beat Maverick Darling, and Gretchen Speed defeated Michael Atchoo in the final four.

		Tripp Hurt What choice did Tripp Hurt have but to specialize in the steeplechase, an event that involves jumping over 28 36-inch barriers and 7 water jumps within 7.5 laps of the track? Hurt just finished his junior year at Furman University and competed in the first round of the NCAA Championships last month.
		Gretchen Speed Speed is a member of the Greater Boston Track Club and a regionally competitive road racer with a 1:21 half marathon PR. Fun fact: Her pre-marriage name was Gretchen Chick. She considered making her married name Gretchen Speed Chick.
		Michael Atchoo While representing Stanford University, middle-distance runner Atchoo finished 8th in the 1500-meter final at last month's NCAA Championships. He has an indoor mile PR of 3:57.14.
		Maverick Darling Darling graduated from the University of Wisconsin this year and signed a contract with Saucony in June. His PRs include 7:50 for 3000 meters and 13:27 for 5000 meters.