Courtesy: USATF

2000 Olympian Deena Drossin (pictured) smashed the twelve- and-a-half year old U.S. 15K record, and Meb Keflezighi became the third fastest American ever Saturday at the U.S 15K Championships at the Gate River Run in Jacksonville, Florida.

Drossin's victory in 48 minutes, 14 seconds also established her as the first woman ever to win three straight U.S. 15K road titles.

As is her custom, Drossin took charge at the gun, ignoring the high humidity and temperatures reaching 80 degrees. Drossin went on to dominate a field that included five Olympians, beating both Francie Larrieu Smith's course record of 48:43 from 1991 and Lisa Weidenbach's U.S. record of 48:28, set at the Cascade Run Off in Portland, Oregon in 1989.

Elva Dryer finished second behind Drossin in a 15K debut 48:50, good for 6th on the U.S. all-time 15K list. Jen Rhines placed third in 49:22, followed by Colleen De Reuck, fourth in 49:39 and Milena Glusac, fifth in 49:46.

Drossin, 29, earned $10,000 for the victory, plus the $3000 course- and $5000 American-record bonuses offered by the Gate River Run organizers in this the 25th anniversary of the event.

In the men's race, Meb Keflezighi successfully defended his title in 42:29, the second fastest course time ever by an American. Keflezighi defeated a quality field featuring eight Olympians by controlling the tempo and pushing the pace as needed.

Keflezighi's 2000 Olympic teammates Abdi Abdirahman (2nd- 42:49) and Alan Culpepper (3rd-43:33) provided a stiff challenge until late in the race. Chris Graff was 4th in 44:25, with Clint Wells 5th in 44:30 and Scott Larson 6th in 44:54.