Middleboro’s Atley Phinney returns this season after finishing 11th in the Division Two race at the Meet of Champions. Phinney already opened his 2025 campaign at the Smith Invitational, where he won the 1.5 Mile race in 7:26, averaging just under five-minute mile pace.
That should prove to be a solid warm up race, as he comes into the season with a 15:47 5K PR from his win at the South Shore League Championships. Last season he gained plenty of experience on the course in Fort Devens, running both the Meet of Champs and the Divisional Championships there. At the 2B race, he ran 16:35 and was then able to return the following week and knock another two seconds off his time.
This outdoor season Phinney was able to show his impressive speed. After a solid indoor season, running 4:26 for the Mile and 2:32 for the 1000m, he emerged as one of the best in the state in the Mile. At the Meet of Champions, he ran a personal best of 4:17, the sixth fastest time for returning runners. Two days prior, he also ran 1:55 for 800m, making him one of the most formidable middle-distance stars the Bay State has.
Don’t let that speed fool you, as he is more than capable on the XC course. Overall, he is the #2 returner from Division Two. Expect to see him at the front of the pack all season long.
