Local sophomore racewalkers Kayla Allen of Lewiston and Sydney Sirois of St. Dom’s competed in the women’s 5-kilometer racewalk over the weekend at the historic Penn Relays in Philadelphia.

Allen finished eighth with a time of 25:35.70. It was a personal best by 35 seconds and qualified her for U.S. senior nationals.

Sirois was 13th with a season-best time of 26:33.19 and also qualified for junior nationals.

In a loaded international field, Allen was the third American finisher in a hard- fought contest. Temperatures were in the low 40s with heavy clouds and gusting winds. 

Allen and Sirois were also the youngest competitors, with three-quarters of the field made up of college athletes.