F18-20 · MARATHON

F18-20: Carolyn Smith Dominates a Napa Valley Showdown of Youth

F18-20WomenMen
By MyRace AIMarch 5, 2023Official site ↗
  • Carolyn Smith took the F18-20 title in 3:09:48 (7:14/mi), climbing from 21st to 19th among women across the second half of the race.
  • Sophia Lee ran a strong middle surge — moving from 83rd to 59th among women by mile 20 — before settling into 2nd in 3:30:21.

Wait, let me re-check: Sophia Lee's total is 3:30:12. Let me rewrite cleanly.


F18-20: Carolyn Smith Dominates Napa's Youngest Women

  • Carolyn Smith wins in 3:09:48 (7:14/mi), finishing 19th among all women and posting the 17th-fastest women's split from 13.1M to 20M.
  • Sophia Lee surged dramatically mid-race — moving from 83rd to 59th among women by mile 20 — to claim 2nd in 3:30:12 (8:01/mi).
  • Sophia Gregory faded across the second half, sliding from 87th to 142nd among women, finishing 3rd in 3:50:38 (8:48/mi).
  • Daria Terebilo rounded out the four-finisher field in 4:39:09 (10:39/mi), 4th in F18-20.

Under cool, crisp Napa conditions — 42°F and a light breeze — the F18-20 field of four delivered a race with a clear, commanding winner and some fascinating mid-race chess. Carolyn Smith, just 19 years old, was never seriously threatened. She entered the back half of the race sitting 21st among women and methodically picked off competitors, climbing to 19th by the finish. Her 7:14/mi average was the statement of the day, and her 17th-fastest women's split from 13.1M to mile 20 confirmed she was running with genuine authority when others were beginning to feel the miles.

Sophia Lee told a different story — one of patience and a powerful middle stretch. From 83rd among women at the half, she charged all the way to 59th by mile 20, a remarkable climb through the field. The final miles cost her a handful of places, and she crossed in 3:30:12, but her 2nd-place finish in F18-20 was well earned. She ran nearly 22 minutes faster than 3rd-place Sophia Gregory, whose race went the other direction: Gregory was 87th among women at the half but had faded to 142nd by the finish, crossing in 3:50:38 at an 8:48/mi pace. Daria Terebilo completed the field in 4:39:09, finishing 385th among women in a gutsy effort to the line.

The course

Course map — Napa Valley Marathon
345 ft range ≈ 1 redwood tree (300 ft each)×1404 ft59 ft013 mi26 mi
26.2 miles · 924 ft elevation gain · 411 ft max elevation
The course · start finish · © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap
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