Though he’s only half German, CRR Sam Parsons, son of CRR George Parsons and CRR Christina Parsons of Newark, was Germany’s gem in the 5000m race at the European Championships in Münich on August 16.

Finishing 6th out of the 25 competitors from all over Europe, Parsons, who clocked in at 13:30:38, bested his last month’s World Championship finishing time by 15 seconds. Unfortunately, as in the 5000m at the Worlds in Eugene, Ore., he couldn’t hang late with Jakob Ingebrigsten of Norway, who took the European title as well.

In the stands and cheering on his son during the evening’s race was German-born and -raised Christina, a good local runner in her own right.

This race capped a successful running season for Parsons, who trains professionally with Boulder, Colo.–based Tinman Elite. In high school he had run for The Tatnall School in Wilmington prior to a stellar collegiate running career at North Carolina State.

> Check out the video of the race with Parsons sightings as indicated below (times approximate).
5:00 – Sam looking around mid-race, taking it all in, enjoying himself
9:58 – more Sam
12:40 – Sam moving up on the outside
12:55-13:01 – Sam and Jakob Ingebrigsten running together
15:20 – Sam hitting the bell lap in 6th place
16:17 – Sam finishing
18:09 – Christina cheering

> See related article about Parsons at the World Championships.