Teenager Esther Hanchett Claims Top Female Spot at Blue Whale Run

CATOOSA — While most 14-year-olds were likely enjoying a leisurely Saturday morning, Esther Hanchett was busy showcasing her running prowess. The Verdigris native outpaced every woman in a competitive field of 505 participants, including 296 females, to secure the title of top female finisher at the Blue Whale Run 5K. She completed the challenging course near the newly renovated Blue Whale Park, finishing with a time of 24 minutes and 29 seconds, which placed her 28th overall.

Hanchett faced a tough challenge from Tulsa’s Muge Park, 50, who closed the gap, finishing just 11 seconds behind at 24:40. "It was really hard because there were a lot of hills," Hanchett remarked. “I was trying to hurry and finish so [Park] couldn’t pass me.” Given the hilly terrain of the race, her comments were well-founded.

The run began with an uphill stretch and included difficult terrain, which Hanchett noted was far more strenuous than typical personal record courses. "My stomach hurt really bad, probably from the hills," she shared. “They were just making it upset, but then when I finished, it felt better.” Remarkably, she still managed to finish within a minute of her personal best of around 23 minutes.

Running is a well-established family affair for Hanchett, who has been in the sport since she was 8. Her mother, Ashley Hanchett, coaches cross country at Verdigris, and her father is also an enthusiastic runner. As the cross-country season approaches, Esther is gearing up for morning practices and regular mileage, balancing her training with her interest in longer races.

Unlike many of her peers, Hanchett's aspirations reach beyond short-distance events. She has already participated in two half marathons, achieving a personal record of 1:59:06 at the Jenks Half Marathon and finishing the Andy Payne Half Marathon in Claremore with a time of 2:07:43, despite not feeling her best. Her next major event is planned for February, when she will tackle another half marathon at Disney World alongside her mother.

Esther Hanchett's impressive performance at the Blue Whale Run underscores her potential to excel in both short and long-distance running, proving that even at a young age, she can compete effectively against more seasoned runners.