Elise Cranny, Weini Kelati, Karissa Schweizer, Elly Henes, and Taylor Roe are doubling with the 5000m and 10,000m. Jess McClain, who was already …

Elise Cranny, Weini Kelati, Karissa Schweizer, Elly Henes, and Taylor Roe are doubling with the 5000m and 10,000m. Jess McClain, who was already

 

American Women Set to “Double” 5,000 m & 10,000 m at U.S. Trials

Elise Cranny

A staple of U.S. distance running, Elise Cranny has confirmed plans to attempt the 5,000 m and 10,000 m double at the upcoming Trials. Cranny delivered strong performances at the 2024 Paris Olympics, finishing 11th in the 5,000 m in 14:48.06 and placing 12th in the 10,000 m in 31:57.51 at the 2023 Worlds . At the 2024 U.S. Trials in Eugene, she placed 2nd in the 5,000 m (14:40.36) and competed solidly across both distances . That versatility and depth make her one of the favorites to qualify in both.

Weini Kelati

Weini Kelati brought serious credentials into the fold, winning the 10,000 m national title at the 2024 U.S. Trials to punch her ticket to Paris in that event . Her personal-best of 30:33.82 for 10,000 m (set in 2024) and 14:35.43 for 5,000 m (set in Eugene 2024) underscore her dual-threat ability . Representing Dark Sky Distance and recently named American half‑marathon record holder (1:06:09 in January 2025), Kelati is in peak form as she targets both Trials races .

Karissa Schweizer

Also based at Bowerman Track Club, Karissa Schweizer is widely expected to go for the double. Her competitive résumé includes top‑10 Olympic finishes in both events (11th in 5,000 m and 12th in 10,000 m at Tokyo 2020) and a 5,000 m PB of 14:26.34 (set in Portland 2020) and a 10,000 m best of 30:18.05 (Eugene 2022) . At the 2024 Trials, she placed 3rd in both the 5,000 m (14:45.12) and 10,000 m (31:41.56) . With her national‐championship winning pedigree, she looks poised to make the team in both events.

Elly Henes & Taylor Roe

While official trial entries have not yet been announced, both Elly Henes (Pepper Henderson Henes) and Taylor Roe—rising NCAA stars turned pros—have signaled intent to attempt both the 5k and 10k double. Henes showed in collegiate competition that she thrives across that range, while Roe made a splash in mid‑distance events and has since extended her racing focus. Their progression this outdoor season hints they’ll enter both to maximize team potential.

Jess McClain: From Olympic Marathon Alternate to World Championships Team Member

Jess McClain, formerly known as Jess Tonn, missed out on making the U.S. marathon team for Paris 2024 by just one spot—finishing fourth in Orlando with a personal best of 2:25:46, earning her the Olympic alternate position . In April 2025, McClain stunned the marathon world in Boston—finishing seventh overall in a breakthrough 2:22:43 (and first among Americans) .

Not stopping there, she dusted off the spikes to return to track. In March she won the 10,000 m at the Sound Running Track Fest in a lifetime best of 31:35.28, qualifying for her first Olympic Trials on track . At Trials she placed fourth in the 10,000 m in 32:04.57—behind Kelati, Valby, and Schweizer—but importantly ahead of Amanda Vestri, staking her claim on the bubble .

Earlier this summer, McClain received the call to replace Betsy Saina and was named to the U.S. marathon team for the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo (September 14) . Her journey from marathon alternate to bona fide national team member marks a full-circle moment after setbacks in 2024.

Outlook & Storylines

Heading into the U.S. Trials, the women’s distance picture is compelling: Cranny, Kelati, Schweizer—and possibly Henes and Roe—are expected to attempt the taxing double of 5,000 m and 10,000 m. Meanwhile, McClain serves as a model of resilience and flexibility, transitioning between marathon and track, self-coaching, and embracing opportunity as it comes.

The combined narrative speaks to the breadth of American depth—from proven veterans like Schweizer and Cranny, to developing stars like Henes and Roe, to revival stories like McClain’s. As U.S. distance running looks ahead to the next global championships, the Trials promise drama, tightly matched racing, and potential multiple‑event qualifiers