While in Brazil competing at the FISU America Games last month, former Central College men’s distance runner Mark Fairley made memories both on and off the track.
Sanctioned by the International University Sports Federation (FISU), the American Games are held in even numbered-years for North American and South American nations. This year’s version featured 1,200 athletes from over 20 participating countries in 13 sports. On the track, Fairley had not raced competitively since the NCAA Division III Championships at the end of May. In his marquee event, the 3,000-meter steeplechase, Fairley was fourth in 9 minutes, 40.15 seconds. Daniel Reyes Morales of Mexico was the winner in 9:11.12. He also placed fifth in the 1,500-meter run in 4:04.76 while Michael Alba Jofre of Chile was the winner in 3:54.53.
The international nature of the event allowed Fairley to rub shoulders with athletes from other countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Colombia and Uruguay. Fairley begins a two-year stint as a graduate assistant coach with the cross country and track and field programs at Liberty University (Va.) this fall.