Runner sets record

At 7 a.m. March 27, distance runner Angel Marquez patiently awaited his 5,000-meter race at the Stanford Invitational, which he thought was scheduled to begin at 8:20 a.m.

Track and field distance coach Gary Towne approached the calm and collected Marquez, who had not been warming up for his race which actually started at 7:45 a.m.

After the time mix-up was cleared up, Marquez slipped off his skater shoes and began his abbreviated warm-up before the race, knowing he would have to run a great time to qualify for the NCAA championships.

The results: a close third-place finish, a new personal best in the 5,000-meter and the third-best overall time in Chico State history with a 14:14.

"I always knew that I could eventually do it," Marquez said about the race.

Towne sees Marquez as a mellow guy, not easily stressed before a race, he said.

"Just watching him train, you would think his races would translate into something different," Towne said.

"He just has a knack for stepping up for the big races."

As a runner in high school, Marquez flew under the radar as a recruit because of California's high number of distance runners, Towne said.

Marquez, now a senior, has progressed steadily since his earlier years in Chico, but has some recurring injuries, Towne said.

Regardless of the pain, Marquez pushed through, making himself faster every year.

Marquez self-motivates and listens to music to prepare himself for a race - never stressing or zoning people out, Marquez said.

"I only become truly focused on the race when I get on the line," he said. "I think I better pace myself on the track, but honestly I just enjoy it more."

Outside of running, Marquez has aspirations in the music industry, post Chico State, he said.

Marquez would like to see himself playing music and traveling after graduating, but hopes to eventually start up a venue and recording studio with some friends, he said.

Marquez also hopes to keep running competitively, most likely for a club team.

Ben Burg can be reached at bburg@theorion.com

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