Olympians, Past & Present, Praise Huddle's Big Run In Rio

By Chris Nickinson

The first day of track & field (Athletics if you're from outside the US...or just want to use the hashtag emoji) competition at major championships is usually a time dedicated to mostly quiet qualifying rounds but the first Friday of athletics at the Rio Olympcis gave us an unforgettable morning session tha culmiated with the greatest 10,000m race of all time [Read Scott Bush's recap].

While Almaz Ayana was busy weaving through lapped runners enroute to a jaw dropping world record 29:17.45 American Molly Huddle sliced 44 seconds off her own personal best and set social media on fire with her 6th place, American record 30:13.17.

Meet Results

Current Team USA members react:

Based on this women's 10k the track is 🔥🔥🔥 So many national records and personal bests. Can't wait to see what #TeamUSA can do this week!

— emma coburn (@emmajcoburn) August 12, 2016

Congratulations @MollyHuddle on your new AR!!!! Wow!!! Stud!!

— emma coburn (@emmajcoburn) August 12, 2016

Unbelievable women's 10,000m...

but that @MollyHuddle was fantastic -- congratulations!!#TeamUSA #Athletics #Rio2016

— des_linden (@des_linden) August 12, 2016

What a race from my suite mate American Record @MollyHuddle YES!! Super proud!

— Nia Ali (@ItsPooda) August 12, 2016

Past Team USA members react

What an amazing 10,000m AMERICAN RECORD @MollyHuddle, Congrats! #inspiring #wow #risetotheoccasion #teamusa #Rio2016

— Matt Tegenkamp (@MattTegenkamp) August 12, 2016

Huge congrats to @MollyHuddle on a new AR 30:13 for the 10,000m. You continue to raise the bar here in the US. We are very proud! #Rio2016

— Kara Goucher (@karagoucher) August 12, 2016

So proud of #herofriend @MollyHuddle. Absolutely phenomenal performance! Congrats to fellow @HoyasTrackXC @emily_infeld on a new PB!

— Julie Culley (@julieculley) August 12, 2016

Congrats to @saucony athlete @mollyhuddle on her new American Record in the 10K at the #rio #olympics. #Rule40 pic.twitter.com/cWTbKuzwfd

— Alysia Montaño (@AlysiaMontano) August 12, 2016

Congrats to @MollyHuddle for the AR! 30:13 going out in 14:55. Yikes, thats impressive.

— Daniel Huling (@DanielHuling) August 12, 2016

Lets go @MollyHuddle . Show em how @saucony athletes get down. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 #findyourstrong

— DuaneBangSolomon (@Dbang800) August 12, 2016