Campus Celebrity: Riley Masters

Riley Masters is thought to be one of only six native Mainers to break the four minute mark in the mile run- EVER, according to goblackbears.com. On February 13, at Boston University’s Valentine Invitational, the junior ran the mile race in 3:59.97. Yes that’s right, three minutes, and 59 seconds, AKA the time it takes a normal person to walk from their car into DPC.
 
Masters, an All-American, has many accomplishments under his belt so far. He won the 3,000 meter run at the 2010 America East Indoor Championships, and finished 11^th in the 1,500 meter run at the NCAA Championships. He has already qualified for this year’s NCAA Championships, which will be held in Texas.
 
“I am very excited about the NCAA Championships. I have never been to Texas before so it should be fun to check it out,” Masters said. “I want to head into the meet with a positive attitude and leave everything on the track. I would love to bring a National Championship to UMaine.”
 
Not only did the Bangor native run the mile in 3:59, but he also got his time down from 4:06 in a single race. Masters is too humble to admit it, but it kind of makes him a big deal.
 
“Most runners are stuck at 4:00-4:01 for a few races. I was able to make a big jump and break the 4 minute mile on my first attempt; or in other words, I got lucky and skipped out on all the heart ache of missing it a few times,” Masters said.
 
For those of you who don’t know much about running, other then the fact that it’s super hard, the four minute mile club is a good one to be in. Masters said his biggest accomplishment thus far in college has been breaking four minutes in a mile.
 
“It is a very prestigious barrier and I feel very fortunate I had the opportunity to run under 4 minutes,” Masters said.
 
To train, Masters said he runs between 55 and 70 miles per week. To put it in simpler terms, the miles a normal person could run in a year. How far away is 70 miles? Waterville is 64 miles away. And that’s just one week for this Campus Celebrity.
 
“You can usually find me running somewhere around Orono with the guys on my team,” Masters said. “Just look for a large group of skinny kids in spandex, around three in the afternoon.”
 
In indoor track, the mile and 3k are his primary focuses. During cross country seasons, he runs the 8l and the 10k. He said his favorite distance to run is the mile, because it is an exciting distance.
 
Masters said his favorite thing about UMaine is that it’s his home, since he grew up only a few miles away. He had been considering UMaine since he was a freshman in high school, and his current coach is the reason he finally committed.
“My coach, Mark Lech did a great job recruiting me,” Masters said. “I developed a large amount of respect for him before I even got to UMaine. When I look back at it I have to say Mark is the reason I decided to ultimately come here.”
 
Although he clearly doesn’t need much luck, Masters said he has “hundreds” of superstitions. He has worn the same pair of socks for every race in college.
 
“Don’t worry though, I wash them between every race!”
 
While only a junior, Masters already has his sights set on beyond college. He said he plans on running after college, and wants to compete at the Olympic trails next spring.
 
“I am constantly setting new goals for myself and they change all the time, but I would say my main goal is to continue to improve and develop as a runner,” Masters said. “As for tangible goals, I would love to win a national title for the school, and make a name for UMaine on the national stage.”