B.A.A. 10K Ages 20–24: Huang Edges Youngbar in an 11-Second Duel

• Ro Huang won the 20–24 age group in 1:05:36 (10:33/mi), finishing 5th among women overall.
• Matthew Youngbar was 2nd in 1:05:47 (10:35/mi) — just 11 seconds back, finishing 6th among women.
• Both athletes posted their fastest relative splits on the 5K–8K segment: Youngbar's was the 4th-fastest women's split on that stretch, Huang's the 5th-fastest.

In a two-person 20–24 field on a warm Boston morning — 77°F with a 12 mph wind — Ro Huang and Matthew Youngbar ran nearly locked together from gun to finish. Huang crossed in 1:05:36 to claim the age group title, with Youngbar completing the 10K just 11 seconds later in 1:05:47. At roughly 10:33–10:35 per mile, both athletes held remarkably consistent paces across the full distance.

The most telling moment came between 5K and 8K, where both athletes found another gear relative to the rest of the women's field. Youngbar actually had the edge on that stretch — posting the 4th-fastest women's split on that segment — while Huang was right behind with the 5th-fastest. Despite Youngbar's stronger middle segment, Huang had built just enough of a cushion in the opening half to hold on and take the win.

Both athletes moved through the women's standings in tandem — sitting 5th and 6th respectively by the 5K mark and holding those positions through to the finish. In the end, Huang's 1:05:36 was enough to secure the 20–24 title, with Youngbar giving her everything she needed to earn it.