Completed Event: Cross Country at Spider Alumni Open on August 30, 2025 , , 5th of 14
XC
Final
James Madison
at Spider Alumni Open
5th of 14
James Madison University | Official Athletics Site
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Alayna Gifford
- Class:
- Junior
- Hometown:
- Sykesville, Md.
- High School:
- Century
- Major:
- Biotechnology
TFRRS
Personal Records:
Outdoor Track & Field
1:01.10 in the 400m (Bob Hayes, 3/15-3/16/24)
2:15.14 in the 800m (Sun Belt Championship, 5/8-5/10/25)
4:50.57 in the 1,500m (VertKlasse Meeting, 4/5-4/6/24)
---
Indoor Track & Field
1:46.53 in the 600m (Penn State National Open, 1/26-1/27/24)
2:13.86 in the 800m (Sykes & Sabock Challenge, 2/8/25)
2:57.82 in the 1,000m (Virginia Tech Invite, 1/17-1/18/25)
---
Cross Country
15:17.5 in the 4K (Spider Alumni Open, 8/31/24)
19:35.0 in the 5K (SBC Championship, 11/1/24)
23:12.9 in the 6K (Wisconsin Pre-Nationals, 11/15/24)
2024-25:
Outdoor Track & Field
2023-24:
Outdoor Track & Field
High School:
Personal:
Personal Records:
Outdoor Track & Field
1:01.10 in the 400m (Bob Hayes, 3/15-3/16/24)
2:15.14 in the 800m (Sun Belt Championship, 5/8-5/10/25)
4:50.57 in the 1,500m (VertKlasse Meeting, 4/5-4/6/24)
---
Indoor Track & Field
1:46.53 in the 600m (Penn State National Open, 1/26-1/27/24)
2:13.86 in the 800m (Sykes & Sabock Challenge, 2/8/25)
2:57.82 in the 1,000m (Virginia Tech Invite, 1/17-1/18/25)
---
Cross Country
15:17.5 in the 4K (Spider Alumni Open, 8/31/24)
19:35.0 in the 5K (SBC Championship, 11/1/24)
23:12.9 in the 6K (Wisconsin Pre-Nationals, 11/15/24)
2024-25:
Outdoor Track & Field
- Competed in two meets
- Finished 10th in the 800-meter prelims in 2:15.14 at the Sun Belt Championship (5/8-5/10)
- Competed in six meets
- Ran the opening leg for the winning distance medley relay team with a time of 11:51.97 at the ECAC Championship (3/7-3/9)
- Helped the Dukes finish fourth in the distance medley relay in 11:49.93 at the Sun Belt Championship (2/24-2/25)
- Produced a career-best time of 2:13.86 in the 800 meters at the Sykes & Sabock Challenge (2/8)
- Competed in four meets
- Ran a personal-best 4K of 15:17.5 at the Spider Alumni Open (8/31)
- 2024-25 Sun Belt Conference Commissioner's List
- President's List (Spring 2025)
- JMU Athletic Director's Scholar-Athlete (Fall 2024, Spring 2025)
2023-24:
Outdoor Track & Field
- Competed in seven meets
- Ran a personal-best time of 1:01.10 in the 400-meter dash for sixth at the Bob Hayes Invite (3/15-3/15)
- Registered a PR of 4:50.57 in the 1,500 meters at the VertKlasse Meeting (4/5-4/6)
- Finished second in the 800-meter competition in 2:18.11 at the JMU Invite (4/13)
- Recorded a career-best 800-meter time of 2:15.61 at the Sun Belt Outdoor Championships (5/9-5/11)
- Competed in four meets
- Finished third in 800-meter race at the Oceanfront Invitational (1/19-1/20) with a time of 2:25.30
- Competed in two meets
- Made collegiate debut at the Spider Alumni Open 4K (9/2)
- Dean's List (Fall 2023)
- JMU Athletic Director's Scholar-Athlete (Spring 2024)
- 2023-24 Sun Belt Conference Academic Honor Roll
High School:
- 2023 Maryland Indoor 800m track & field state champion
- 2023 Maryland Indoor 4x800-meter relay track & field state champion
- Third place in 500m at Maryland indoor track & field state meet as a senior
- Second place in 4x800-meter relay at Maryland outdoor state meet in 2023
- Indoor and outdoor 800m high school school records
- Member of state championship soccer team
- Named second team all-county as a junior and senior
Personal:
- Daughter of Heather and Andrew Gifford
- Has one brother, Max, and one sister, Jocelyn
- Majoring in biophysical chemistry with a minor in pre-med
JMU Cross Country | UVA Invitational Hype
Thursday, October 26
Sentara Park | Duenkel Athletic Complex
Saturday, March 11
JMU Cross Country | CAA Tournament Hype
Monday, March 21
JMU Cross Country | Facility Tour
Monday, February 01
