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In this edition:
Running USA's State of the Sport 2011 - Part I: New "Core Runner" Profiles
World's Fastest Runners Ready to Compete in Inaugural B.A.A. 10K
Monterey Peninsula Wins First-Ever "Outstanding Runner Friendly Community" Designation
Team USA Minnesota Athletes Give Back
UPCOMING EVENTS
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USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships, Eugene, OR, June 23-26
World Championships qualifier - Daegu, Korea
Emilie Mondor Memorial 5K Race for Women, Ottawa, CAN, Jun 25
Undy 5000, Denver, CO, June 25
Dodge Rock 'n' Roll Seattle Marathon & ½ Marathon, WA, June 25
Inaugural B.A.A. 10K, Boston, MA, June 26
Cranmore Hill Climb, North Conway, NH, June 26
USA Mountain Running Championship
Stadium Stampede 5K, Denver, CO, June 26
Inaugural Packard Summer Scamper 5K & 10K, Palo Alto, CA, Jun 26
35th La Sportiva Vail Hill Climb, Vail, CO, July 3
Firecracker 5000, Seattle, WA, July 3
Watermelon 5K, Winter Park, FL, July 4
AJC Peachtree Road Race, Atlanta, GA, July 4
USA Men's 10K Championship
Red, White and Boom! TC Half-Marathon, Minneapolis, MN, July 4
4th of July - Free to Run 4 Miler, St. Paul, MN, July 4
Liberty Run 4 Mile, Denver, CO, July 4
Surf City Run 5K, Huntington Beach, CA, July 4
Running USA's 2011 State of the Sport - Part I: New "Core Runner" Profiles
National Running Survey shows educated, affluent, motivated, half-marathon loving population
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - (June 19, 2011) - The 2011 National Runner Survey is a comprehensive study conducted every two years by Running USA. The National Runner Survey assesses the demographics, lifestyle, attitudes, habits and product preferences of the running population nationwide. Results from the National Runner Survey reflect "core runners", that is, active adult participants who tend to enter running events and train year-round.
Today's core runners are highly educated with 77.2% having earned a college diploma (national percent = 29.5%) and affluent with 72.9% reporting a household income of more than $75,000 (national average = 32.4%). Core runners are active participants who train year-round and report running / jogging an average of 213 days and logging nearly 1,269 miles per year. These runners are motivated to run in order to stay in shape (80.7%), stay healthy (77.4%), have fun (66.1%) and relieve stress (64.3%).
The National Runner Survey is distributed electronically to running event participants, running club members, specialty running shoe store visitors, subscribers to running publications and those who frequent the online running community.
Running USA worked closely with more than 60 organizations to help distribute the online survey to various constituency groups between the months of January through May of 2011. A total of 11,893 runners nationwide (53.8% female, 46.2% male) responded to the survey with an 86% rate of completion. Select results from the 2011 study are presented in this summary. Pre-order a complete report at www.runningusa.org/node/57812.
For the rest of Part I with gender breakdowns and more, CLICK here.
World's Fastest Runners Ready to Compete in Inaugural B.A.A. 10K
Talented field features rematch of top three men's finishers from 2011 Boston Marathon; $30,000 prize purse
BOSTON - (June 15, 2011) - The Boston Athletic Association has released its field of top athletes for the inaugural B.A.A. 10K on Sunday, June 26. Highlighting the men's professional field is 2011 Boston Marathon champion Geoffrey Mutai, of Kenya. At the 115th Boston Marathon on April 18, the 29-year old Mutai ran the world's fastest marathon in 2 hours, 3 minutes, 2 seconds. His performance was 57 seconds faster than the world record time of 2:03:59 set by Haile Gebrselassie at the 2008 Berlin Marathon.
Also returning to Boston will be Moses Mosop of Kenya and Gebre Gebremariam of Ethiopia, the runner-up and third place finishers at Boston this year. Mosop is coming off a 25,000 meter and 30,000 meter world record performance on the track earlier this month, and has a personal best in the 10K of 28:04. Gebremariam brings his road racing expertise back to Boston, trying to better his own personal best of 27:41, set last year. Also in the men's field are Kenyans Simon Ndirangu (27:49) and Samuel Ndereba (28:01), as well as 2009 B.A.A. Half Marathon winner Martin Fagan of Ireland.
The women's field is led by 2011 Boston Marathon champion Caroline Kilel. The 30-year-old Kenyan returns to run her first race since winning the olive wreath in April. Joining her will be New Zealand's Kim Smith, a 2008 Olympian and national record holder at 5K. Smith, whose personal best at 10K is 31:23, led the first 18 miles of the 115th Boston Marathon before a torn muscle forced her to drop out. Now healthy and recovered, the Providence College graduate is coming off of a sixth place finish in the New York Mini 10K, in which she ran 32:32.
Australian national record holder and three-time Olympian Benita Willis has the fastest personal best in the field at 31:17. Gebremariam's wife, Werknesh Kidane, who was the 2003 World Cross Country Champion at 8K is also entered in the race.
"The elite field in the inaugural B.A.A. 10K is filled with accomplished athletes, many of whom have notched their fastest times here in Boston at B.A.A. events," said B.A.A. Executive Director Tom Grilk. "Though we've seen many of these runners compete before, we're anxious to see them compete in this distance, and how they'll do on this course while in direct competition with each other. There should be no shortage of excitement and fast times in our inaugural event."
The B.A.A. 10K includes a prize purse of $30,000 with $5000 awarded to the winners and equally distributed among the top male and female finishers. Race registration remains open at: www.baa.org
The 6.2 mile course is a scenic tour through Boston's Back Bay. Notable neighborhoods and attractions include the legendary Bull and Finch Pub, after which the television show "Cheers" was developed, the campus of Boston University and trendy Kenmore Square.
Inaugural B.A.A. 10K Professional Field
Sunday, June 26, 2011
MEN
Bib# / Name / CTZ / Personal Best
1 Geoffrey Mutai (KEN), 27:39 (2009)
2 Moses Mosop (KEN), 28:04 (2004)
3 Gebre Gebremariam (ETH), 27:41 (2010)
4 Simon Ndirangu (KEN), 27:49 (2010)
5 Samuel Ndereba (KEN), 28:01 (2007)
6 Martin Fagan (IRL), 28:39 (2011)
7 Shawn Forrest (AUS), 28:17 (2010)
8 Elkanah Kibet (KEN), 28:57 (2009)
9 Joseph Chirlee (KEN), 29:23 (2007)
10 Matthew Levassiur (USA / CO), 29:33 (2006)
11 Nate Jenkins (USA / MA), 29:33 (2010)
WOMEN
Bib# / Name / CTZ / Personal Best
31 Caroline Kilel (KEN), 31:36 (2009)
32 Kim Smith (NZL), 31:23 (2010)
34 Misiker Demissie (ETH), 31:40 (2010)
35 Benita Willis (AUS), 31:17 (2006)
36 Stephanie Reilly (IRL), 16:23 (5K - 2011)
38 Trina Painter (USA / AZ), 35:24 (2007)
39 Werknesh Kidane (ETH), 31:18 (2010)
Monterey Peninsula Wins First-Ever "Outstanding Runner Friendly Community" Designation
Road Runners Club of America shines national spotlight on California's Central Coast for its runner friendly businesses, government, infrastructure and focus on fitness
CARMEL, Calif. - (June 16, 2011) - California's Monterey Peninsula has been named the "Outstanding Runner Friendly Community" by the Road Runners Club of America (RRCA) in a first-ever competition for the honor.
RRCA, the oldest and largest distance running organization in the U.S., established the competition to recognize communities that help improve the quality of life for residents and visitors through physical activity offerings such as running trails and infrastructure, events, easy access, clubs and organizations and more.
"Monterey Peninsula was a clear standout for this award," said Jean Knaack, RRCA Executive Director. She cited letters of support from the mayor of Monterey, the head of the local Convention & Visitors Bureau, State Parks Superintendent, local business owners and others. "The community is meeting and exceeding our criteria and has set a strong example for others to follow."
The comprehensive application was submitted by the Big Sur International Marathon, a long-time member of RRCA, with support from the local running club. Detailed responses to questions covered many aspects of the local community. "Infrastructure" elements included mention of a scenic 18-plus mile contiguous running path along the Monterey Bay coastline, state-of-the-art running tracks, miles of dirt and paved roads at trails on the former Ft. Ord military base, and others, all with easy access to parking, restrooms and water.
Local government was highlighted as being runner-friendly and encouraging organized runs and walks throughout the various Monterey Peninsula cities. The annual Big Sur International Marathon which takes place along California's Highway One drawing thousands of participants from throughout the world, involves coordination by several state and local agencies, and the Big Sur Half Marathon on Monterey Bay travels through two popular Peninsula cities, Monterey and Pacific Grove. The local communities also are home to several smaller 10K runs, an annual triathlon, and numerous charity walks along the coastal trail.
"We have a great working relationship with all of our local municipalities," said Wally Kastner, race director for both Big Sur events. "The police and fire departments, city services and city management are all very supportive. They understand that our races bring great economic benefits to the area."
Monterey Mayor Chuck Della Sala highlighted the city's popular Sports Center complex and the recreation trail, noting, "The City of Monterey has built the infrastructure to support many running and athletic activities in our community," and added, "From restaurants to retail shops to businesses that offer places to gather, the Monterey Peninsula is truly a runner's paradise."
Knaack of RRCA, drew attention to "the excellent video" prepared for the application. The six-minute piece features scenes of the running trails in the area and interviews with several local business and government leaders providing on-air interviews. 2008 Olympic marathoner and Monterey Peninsula resident Blake Russell spoke of the variety of running trails and the temperate year-round weather in the area. The video can be viewed at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LgEjt2yaOc
Other key elements of the Runner Friendly Community designation were local media support for the sport of running, partnerships with area hospitals to focus on health and wellness, a local scholarship fund to outstanding high school runners, and the nationally-recognized JUST RUN youth fitness program, developed by the Big Sur International Marathon and currently in place in schools throughout Monterey County and in 14 additional states throughout the U.S.
RRCA presented the first annual award to Monterey Peninsula at its national meeting held in Fredericksburg, Virginia in late May. Runner-up cities in the competition included Dallas and Wichita Falls, TX and Fredericksburg, VA.
Team USA Minnesota Athletes Give Back
Track team coaches in the Twin Cities schools or college programs this spring
MINNEAPOLIS - (June 19, 2011) - Seven Team USA Minnesota distance runners - Heather Kampf, Jason Lehmkuhle, Matt Gabrielson, Meghan Peyton, Chris Rombough, Jamie Cheever and Megan Hogan - served as assistant track coaches this spring at either high school or college programs in the Twin Cities.
Kampf is in her first year working as the girls' assistant distance coach at Apple Valley High School. "My team is far and away the most positive, close-knit and classy group of young women so coming to practice each day is such a joy," said Kampf. "I'm so proud of who they are as people and what they are accomplishing on the track. It is fun as a coach to see my athletes improving as the season progresses. It makes me feel like I must be doing something right.
"My favorite memory from the year was seeing all of them at the finish line of the USA Road Mile Championships in May in downtown Minneapolis," continued Kampf, who finished second in the race. "They were easy to spot, not only because they were all dressed in their Apple Valley gold team warm-ups, but because they had all picked up cow bells and inflatable clappers and were along the race course. I am quite certain no one had better fans out there."
Lehmkuhle and Gabrielson both are assistant coaches with the Edina High School varsity and junior varsity distance runners, with Lehmkuhle in his sixth year with the school and Gabrielson marking his fifth year. "I love helping - even if it's in a small way - kids become passionate about distance running," said Lehmkuhle, who is a nationally ranked marathoner. "I've now been at Edina long enough that I've watched kids come in as seventh graders and then grow, develop and go on to run in college."
At the college level, Peyton serves as the women's assistant track coach at Augsburg College and Rombough is a volunteer assistant coach with the men's distance and middle-distance squad at the University of Minnesota, with both in their first year of coaching. "Working with the Augsburg women is extremely rewarding," said Peyton. "Helping head coach Dennis Barker (who is also the coach of Team USA Minnesota) foster the girls' growth as both athletes and young women is one of the best feelings. I want to continue to help them grow for years to come and hopefully will inspire them along the way with my own running."
Rombough is coaching at his alma mater, having finished his collegiate career at the University of Minnesota in 2010. "I enjoy working with the men because I know that they are fully committed so it allows me to be fully committed to them," said Rombough. "Our men have been fighting for Big Ten Championships the last three years and to see the joy when we win and the heartbreak when we lose shows their full commitment."
Also helping out at the high school level are new Team USA Minnesota athletes
Cheever, who is assisting at Southwest High School in Minneapolis, and Hogan who has volunteered part-time to help out with the girls' distance team at Eden Prairie High School. "I work with the mid-distance and distance athletes at Southwest," said Cheever, who is a graduate of the high school. "I enjoy sharing my love for the sport and helping the high school students grow as both athletes and people."
For more information, visit: www.teamusaminnesota.org
Contact Information
Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Director, ryan@runningusa.org, (805) 696-6232
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