I’m A Competitor: Chris Solinsky Going For Gold

A shorter version of this piece first appeared in the March issue of Competitor Magazine.

Written by: Mario Fraioli

With three-and-a-half laps remaining in the 10,000 meter race at Stanford University’s Payton Jordan Invitational last May, all eyes are on the lanky blond in the lead named Galen Rupp, who made it well known before the race that he came to California that night for one reason and one reason only: to break Meb Keflezighi’s then nine-year old American Record of 27:13.98.

As Rupp clicked off lap after lap well under record pace, it seemed all but a certainty that Keflezighi’s time was his for the taking. With less than a mile to go Rupp was in front of the pack and everything appeared to be going according to the carefully calculated plans set forth by his coach, Alberto Salazar.

Behind Rupp was Kenyan collegian Sam Chelanga of Liberty University and lurking in third was Chris Solinsky, a rugged linebacker of a long distance runner running his first track 10K with a slightly different, and far less publicized objective, than the smooth-striding Rupp.

Fans of American distance running will never forget what happened next. Solinsky shot to the front with a little more than 800 meters to go and stayed there until he crossed the finish line first in 26:59.68— not only a new American Record, but a barrier-breaking time that was all but lost on the Wisconsin native until he noticed the clock for the first time in the race with 200 meters to go. After 24 and a half laps of racing, how did Solinsky not know he was on record pace until he only had half a lap left?

“They were calling out splits every 200 meters but I never really paid attention to them or added them up or anything,” Solinsky recalled. “I purposely tried from the beginning almost to fall asleep and stay relaxed. I didn’t want to think about splits. I just wanted to put myself in position to contend for the win and I wasn’t going to let myself get dropped.”

That last line sums up Solinsky in a nutshell: a focused, ferocious competitor with one unwavering objective when he laces up his spikes and steps on the starting line: win the damn race, or die trying.

“I started getting quite a bit of adrenaline flowing through me and was getting excited about setting myself up for a big move there in the last 1,000 meters or so,” Solinsky said. “I was confident in what I had left to be able to win the race.”

Solinsky’s been in the business of winning races since his high school days at Stevens Point Area High School in his native Wisconsin. He captured three straight state cross country championships from his sophomore through senior seasons, and dominated the Footlocker National Cross Country Championships in 2001, winning by a commanding 21 seconds over the likes of his current Oregon Track Club teammate Tim Nelson and reigning U.S. half marathon champion Mo Trafeh. The self-described “redneck from the backwoods of Wisconsin” wasn’t too shabby on the track, either, graduating with a personal best of 4:03.6 in the 1,600 meters and 8:43.24 in the 3,200. His approach to racing as a prep was similar to his philosophy as a professional: run for the win and everything else will follow.

“It’s not going to turn out great every time but it’s worth sticking your neck on the line,” Solinsky admitted. “My whole philosophy is that I’m going to keep myself near the front for as long as possible and give myself a chance to win. If it’s not my day it’s not my day.”

FILED UNDER: Features / Inside The Magazine TAGS: American Record / Chris Solinsky / Competitor Magazine / Gold Medal / Jerry Schumacher / Olympic Games / Oregon Track Club / University of Wisconsin / World Championships

Mario Fraioli

Mario Fraioli is the senior producer at Competitor.com. He was a cross country All-American at Stonehill College, has run 2:28 in the marathon, and coaches the Prado Women's Racing Team in San Diego.

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