Thomas, Jourdain make PBC and AU history in 10,000 meters at N.C. State

By Anna Biondilillo | Sports writer

RALEIGH, N.C.—Senior Madison Thomas and sophomore Gabby Jourdain turned in record-breaking nights at the Raleigh Relays at N.C. State’s Daily Soccer Field/Track Complex on March 27.

Thomas finished the 10,000-meter run in 35 minutes and 43.74 seconds, and Jourdain ran a 35:48.62 in the same race. Thomas finished 52nd and Jourdain 56th in a field of 79 runners, almost all of them from NCAA Division I programs.

It was an outstanding night for the two Jaguar runners, and yet the turn of events that led up to the race were not exactly ideal. 

AU coach Jacob Burgamy said the weather conditions left his two Jaguar distance runners a bit frustrated.

“Their race was a little hectic because the start time got changed around a bit due to bad weather, but they were able to run it at around midnight,” Burgamy said.

The race times were changed many times as the weather was unforgiving with rain and lightning. Thomas and Jourdain were initially told that the race would be suspended until 9 a.m. the next day to wait for better conditions. Upon hearing this, the AU runners went to a nearby Walmart to get some fuel for the race the next day, but then Burgamy received an email calling all teams back to the track to have the race that night at 11:45.  

Initially, the goal for the race was for Thomas to beat the PBC 10K record, and while Thomas and Jourdain were a little startled by the change in times, they still kept that goal within their sights. 

“It felt crazy and exciting as I never raced in the rain before and knew every girl in the race would run in the same conditions,” Jourdain said.

The AU runners kept this positive mindset as they started the race. To keep this race controlled, Burgamy had them switch off the lead every 800 meters.

“The 10K is a long 25 laps, and it made it go by faster and kept it fun,” Thomas said of her coach’s plan.

It seemed as if the weather conditions had no effect on the Jaguars as they soon realized that they both blew their expectations out of the water. Thomas realized this as she passed her coach with half a mile to go. 

“All I heard was Coach Burgamy yelling that the PBC record is gone, make it a hard one to beat; I did a double take as I didn’t realize I was going to beat that alongside the school record,” Thomas said.

The original PBC record was 36:05, and both Thomas and Jourdain surpassed that standard.

The team will next compete April 3-4 in Anderson, S.C., at the Electric City Invitational. 

Note: At the top of the page, Madison Thomas set a Peach Belt Conference record in the 10,000 meters with a time of 35:43.74. Thomas ran in a field of mostly NCAA Division I runners in the meet at N.C. State. (photo by Lydia Williams/the Bell Ringer)

Contact Anna Biondolillo at ABIONDOLILLO@augusta.edu.