Mercer women’s cross country runner beats personal best at Queen City Invite

Mercer cross country runner Ashley McMahon set her personal best at the Queen City Invitational. McMahon placed 15th out of 365 individually, according to Mercer Athletics. This record is something that she has strived for since starting at Mercer.

“It has been a goal for me for a long time,” McMahon said. “It was hard because you have to be there mentally the whole time.”

The team practices throughout the week, with McMahon usually running over five miles a day. From meals to the right headspace, preparation is essential.

“It’s part of our everyday life,” McMahon said. “I will mentally imagine the race in my head so I know how it will feel, and if something goes wrong I know what to do.”

Food is something that can make or break a race, and for McMahon, she found a snack that she stands by.

“As a whole, you try and eat healthy you know, get your carbs and your proteins,” McMahon said. “Oatmeal is one of my main go-tos.”

McMahon ran in all five of Mercer's meets and was one of the top two finishers in all five events last season. She also held Mercer’s second-fastest 5K time for one of her races last season, according to Mercer Athletics. 

“The training that we have done has prepared us so well,” McMahon said.

Both the men’s and women’s teams are showing promising results as the Men’s team had their best finish of the year at the Blazer Classic Meet.

Both teams will compete in the SoCon tournament on Nov. 2 and have a chance to also compete in regionals on Nov. 15.