Emma Coburn gets a pre-race pump up from Cheer’s Jerry Harris
Cheer's Harris gave every runner their new mid-race motto

Cheer is the Netflix docuseries that’s on the top of many people’s recently watched, including 2017 steeplechase world champion Emma Coburn. Ahead of her 2-mile race in Boston on Saturday at the New Balance Grand Prix, the runner received a video message from Cheer’s Jerry Harris. Coburn jokes that Harris gave her a new motto: “Whack, whack, move those legs–and land on your feet, baby.” Coburn is the second-fastest American steeplechaser of all time.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B7tZFqFpOyj/
RELATED: Emma Coburn’s at-home strength routine
Coburn finished third in her race, in 9:32.81. Saturday was her only race of the indoor reason. Elle Purrier was the winner in 9:29.17 with Dom Scott taking second place in 9:31.38.
Harris is a pro at what the cheerleaders call ‘mat talk’–giving your teammates encouragement mid-practice, something all runners should adopt. We could call it track talk. Harris even gave Ellen some mat talk this past week on her show.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fYtFp2zz28
Canadian results from the NB Grand Prix
There were several Canadians racing in Boston on Saturday who had strong results. Jessica O’Connell was fourth in 2-mile in 9:36.79 which is a new unofficial Canadian record, Mariah Kelly ran a 1,500m indoor personal best of 4:10.01 and Lindsey Butterworth was seventh in the 1,500m in 4:14.82. Ben Flanagan was fourth in the 3,000m in 7:56:02, just seconds off of World Championship indoor standard.Â
RELATED: Tyler Day breaks Galen Rupp’s American collegiate 5,000m record