Olympian and world record holder Elise Cranny, representing Nike Bowerman Track Club, joins DyeStat editor Erik Boal to discuss her return to racing for the first time since September on Nov. 17 as part of the second Michigan Pro Ekiden at Stony Creek Metro Park. Cranny will participate in the co-ed relay that features three women and three men in each lineup, running a pair of 6-kilometer legs, a pair of 5-kilometer legs and a pair of 10-kilometer legs. Cranny, 25, will be joined by former Stanford teammates Vanessa Fraser, Grant Fisher and Thomas Ratcliffe, along with Portland alumni Woody Kincaid and New Mexico graduate Courtney Frerichs on the Bowerman team competing against Hansons-Brooks ODP, HOKA ONE ONE Northern Arizona Elite, Minnesota Distance Elite, Team Boulder and Roots Running Project. She revisits her opportunity to be part of a Bowerman lineup that set the women's world record in the 4x1,500-meter relay in July 2020 at Jesuit High in Portland, and how meaningful it has been throughout her career to run relays at Niwot High in Colorado and at Stanford University. Cranny also shares how significant it has been to have Fraser back healthy and with the group during fall training and her excitement for having her as part of the lineup in Michigan. She also examines how special it will be for the group to celebrate the homecoming for Fisher, a two-time national high school cross country champion at Grand Blanc, as he competes in Michigan for the first time as a professional. Cranny reflects on sharing her Olympic experience with several Bowerman teammates and how encouraging it is to have another racing opportunity during the fall. She also examines her trip to Europe during September and racing in Belgium, France and Switzerland, producing personal-best efforts of 4:21.90 in the mile and 8:30.30 in the 3,000 meters. Cranny also expresses her desire to race indoors in 2022 and her gratitude for domestic events like the Michigan Pro Ekiden to showcase the sport outside of national championship and international competition. She analyzes the success this year of the Niwot High girls team and her return to her alma mater in September to speak with the student-athletes and train with the group, and her optimism for the return next year of Nike Cross Nationals, so the team can again compete for a national title. Cranny also shares her enthusiasm over the Stanford women winning the Division 1 West Regional and both teams advancing to compete Nov. 20 at the NCAA championship meet at Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee, Fla., as well as her inspiration gained from Bowerman coach and athlete Shalane Flanagan recently completing six marathons in a six-week schedule.

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