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In this edition:
Running USA's State of the Sport 2011 - Part IV: Largest Road Races
Quad-City Times Bix 7 Attracts Young Talent
The San Francisco Marathon is Ready to Run on Sunday
RACER Event Frames Preserve Finish Line Moments for Posterity
UPCOMING EVENTS
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Quad-City Times Bix 7, Davenport, IA, July 30
Challenge Cancer 5K, St. Paul, MN, July 30
Burning River 100 Mile, Cleveland, OH, July 30-31
USA 100 Mile Trail Championships
San Francisco Marathon, CA, July 31
TD Bank Beach to Beacon 10K, Cape Elizabeth, ME, Aug 6
Atlanta's Finest 5K, GA, August 6
Salinas Valley Half Marathon, Salinas, CA, August 6
Inaugural Rock 'n' Roll Providence Half-Marathon, RI, August 7
Twins TC 4K, Minneapolis, MN, August 7
Step Up for Cancer, Denver, CO, August 7
La Sportiva 10K @ 10,000 Feet & 5K, Vail, CO, August 7
New Balance Falmouth Mile, Falmouth, MA, August 13
Grand Finale 5K, Atlanta, GA, August 13
Panerathon 5K & 10K, Colorado Springs, CO, August 13
New Balance Falmouth Road Race, Falmouth, MA, August 14
The Hottest Half & 10K, Dallas, TX, August 14
Ragnar Relay Great River, La Crosse, WI, August 19
Running USA State of the Sport 2011: Largest Road Races
Record number of finishers in top 100 U.S. timed races; growth in races with over 50K finishers
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - (July 27, 2011) - Each year Running USA releases statistics for the nation's top road races including such popular lists as the Top 100 U.S. Timed, Largest Festivals, Largest by Distance, Largest by State, Women-Only, World's Largest and Youth Runs. To see where your favorite road races ranked in 2010 or what the #1 race is in the different largest race categories, go to: www.runningusa.org/statistics/largest
Top 100 U.S. Timed - In 2010, the Top 100 U.S. Timed list accounted for just over 1.4 million finishers (a record) compared to 922,500 finishers in 2000, up more than 51%, and as a benchmark, in 2000 the 100th race on the list had just over 3,600 finishers, while by 2010 that number had grown to more than 7,000. Last year, a record 42 half-marathons made up the Top 100 U.S. Timed list, and four of those half-marathons were inaugural events.
By comparison, in 2000, there were only 11 half-marathons on the Top 100 U.S. Timed list and none were inaugural. As mentioned in previous State of the Sport Reports, since 2003, the half-marathon has been the fastest growing distance in the U.S. with an incredible 24% annual growth the past two years.
Largest by Distance - If you think a marathon or half-marathon distance had the largest race field in the nation, think again. In fact, the top 3 largest road races for 2010 were two 10Ks and a 12K all with more than 50,000 timed finishers each: Atlanta Journal-Constitution Peachtree Road Race 10K (50,918), Lilac Bloomsday Run 12K (50,721) and Dick's Sporting Goods BolderBOULDER 10K (50,477); it was the first time that more than two U.S. road races exceeded 50,000 timed finishers in the same year.
During the Second Running Boom, the 15K and 10 mile have also shown impressive, but relatively quiet growth compared to the more talked about half-marathon and marathon. In 2010, for example, for the first time, three U.S. 15Ks had more than 10,000 finishers: Gate River Run (13,342), Hot Chocolate (12,338) and Boilermaker (11,540) and there were none in 2005, while in the 10 mile, three races had more than 15,000 finishers: Blue Cross Broad Street Run (26,266), Army Ten-Miler (21,744) and Credit Union Cherry Blossom (15,762) with none in 2005.
To view the largest races in the U.S. by distance, click here: http://www.runningusa.org/statistics/largest
Largest by State - The ING New York City Marathon weekend including the Marathon, Continental Airlines International Friendship Run 4K, NYRR 5 Mile and Run With Champions youth event rank New York #1 with the largest festival event on the map with nearly 62,000 estimated finishers (the vast majority timed with a world record 44,977 finishers in the Marathon), but other states have stand-alone large events topping the list too such as the "Show Me" state of Missouri (Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Festival 5K - 55,419 estimated finishers), Georgia (Atlanta Journal-Constitution Peachtree Road Race 10K - 50,918), Washington (Lilac Bloomsday 12K - 50,721) and Colorado (Dick's Sporting Goods BolderBOULDER 10K - 50,477).
Largest Festivals - Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure events include 8 races in the top 15 festivals for 2010. Overall U.S. Festivals continue to experience tremendous growth. For example, in 2010, the 50th largest festival had 22,089 finishers compared to 2009 when the 50th largest festival had 19,450, and over ten years ago only 12,000 finishers.
Women-Only - Of the largest women-only races (95% or greater female finishers), seven of the top 15 were half-marathons in 2010. The top 3 events spanned from the west coast to the east coast, with the Nike Women's Half-Marathon in California (15,556), Disney Princess Half-Marathon in Florida (11,359), and the St. Luke's Women's Fitness Celebration in Idaho (11,041 estimated finishers). In 2010, there were more than 20 women-only events with 2000-plus finishers.
World's Largest - With 67,999 timed finishers, the Sun-Herald City2Surf 14K in Sydney, Australia was the world's largest road race in 2010. For the first time, six marathons - New York City, London, Chicago, Berlin, Paris and Tokyo - had more than 30,000 finishers in the same year, while the U.S. again had 7 of the 15 largest marathons in the world. There were also nine half-marathons worldwide with more than 19,000 finishers (a record) and a record-tying seven with more than 20,000 finishers (also 2009). Last year, the United States had 14 of the top 20 half-marathons in the world.
Largest Youth - With the development of the final mile programs and the majority of road race events now incorporating a youth component, youth runs across the nation have also experienced explosive growth the last 5-10 years. Running USA estimates that there were more than 40 youth events in 2010 that surpassed 2,000 youth finishers at a single event.
For summaries of all four parts of the 2011 Running USA State of the Sport Report, visit http://runningusa.org/statistics/reports
Quad-City Times Bix 7 Attracts Young Talent
Young up-and-comers in the sport are favored in 37th edition of storied race
Courtesy Don Doxsie, Quad-City Times
DAVENPORT, Iowa - The Quad-City Times Bix 7 is attracting a younger crowd this year.
There is a good chance that the men's winner in Saturday's 37th edition of the race will be among the youngest in the race's history.
Two of the top five seeds are 22 or younger. Pre-race favorite Allan Kiprono is 21.
The Bix 7 has had only one men's winner younger than that. Lawrence Kiprotich was a month short of his 20th birthday when he pulled a stunning upset to win the 2006 race. All the other winners in the past 10 years have been 25 or older.
But don't be shocked if Kiprono and fellow Kenyan Lani Rutto, 22, beat some much older elite runners to the tape. Each has been racing in the U.S. for less than a year.
Kiprono's first race in this country was the Beach to Beacon 10K last August. Rutto never had run a U.S. road race until this spring.
The top U.S. hopeful, two-time Bix champion Meb Kefelzighi, withdrew from the race because of an Achilles injury. Ryan Hall, who won the race in 2010, will not return to defend his title.
In the women's race, rising star Misiker Mekonnin of Ethiopia, 25, has been awarded the No. 2 bib normally given to the pre-race favorite.
Mekonnin was a relative unknown before a breakthrough victory in the Lilac Bloomsday 12K in Spokane, Wash., in early May. She displayed a tremendous finishing kick to defeat fellow Ethiopian Wude Ayalew by a single second.
Mekonnin was expected to be one of two Ethiopians with a good chance of winning here, but Ejegayehu Dibaba was forced to withdraw this week because of visa problems.
Mekonnin's primary competition now is expected to come from Kenyan runners. Caroline Rotich, who was fourth in the Boston Marathon in April, figures to be the prime contender, and the field also includes Catherine Ndereba and Gladys Asiba, each of whom has the advantage of having run the Bix six times previously. Ndereba has won the race three times - in 1999, 2001 and 2003.
Former Iowa State national champion Lisa Koll, who won the Bix 7 last year, has opted not to return to defend her championship.
For more on Saturday's race, visit http://www.bix7.com/2011
The San Francisco Marathon is Ready to Run on Sunday, July 31
Event announces partnership with global information company Wipro Technologies
SAN FRANCISCO- The San Francisco Marathon (TSFM), set for Sunday, July 31, 2011, announced a partnership with Wipro Technologies. Wipro will be the presenting sponsor for 2011 and title the marathon in 2012 and 2013.
Known for its beautiful scenic views, TSFM presented by Wipro is the only race that
runs in the roadbed of the Golden Gate Bridge. The USATF certified loop course starts at the Ferry Building, runs along the Embarcadero, over the Bridge, along the coastline, through Golden Gate Park and the Haight-Ashbury District and past AT&T Park.
TSFM presented by Wipro is rated one of the top marathons in the US, is the largest marathon in Northern California, the 13th largest marathon in the US and is a Boston Marathon qualifier. It generated over $42 million in economic output impact for the city of San Francisco in 2010.
The winner of last year's marathon and course record holder, Keith Bechtol, will be returning this year to run the half-marathon while three time winner, Andrew Cook, hopes to regain the course record he set in 2007. Michael Wardian, another elite to watch, won the National Marathon in Washington D.C. in five of the last six years and
won the US 50K championships in 2008, 2009 and 2010.
Several celebrities that are running to raise money and awareness for their favorite charities. Sophia Bush of the television show One Tree Hill will be running the 5K to promote volunteerism as well as raise money for The Nature Conservancy. Bush will be hosting the Fundraiser Superstar Tent where all runners who raise $1,000 or more for an approved charity will have access to this tent at the start/finish line.
Jared Fogle, spokesperson for Subway, will be running with Olympic Gold Medalist
and Dancing with the Stars Champion, Apolo Ohno, to raise awareness for the Jared Foundation whose mission is to stamp out childhood obesity. Ada Wong and Jesse Atkins, contestants of season 10's Biggest Loser, will be running the first half-marathon to raise funds for the American Red Cross.
Marathon events include the full marathon, two half-marathons, a 5K, a
progressive marathon and the Munchkin Kids Run. See more details at http://www.thesfmarathon.com
RACER Event Frames Preserve Finish Line Moments for Posterity Affordable, personalized approach to framing race day bibs celebrates your athletic achievement
LOS ANGELES - When the marathon or triathlon you've trained so hard to complete is over, sticking that race number you wore proudly in a drawer just doesn't seem right.
It's the #1 souvenir of an impressive accomplishment - and it went along with you the whole way. That's why RACER Event Frames (www.racerframes.com) has come up with a new affordable way to frame it and hang on your home or office wall, creating a point of conversations with visitors, or just a sense of pride when you glance that way each day.
"Each race bib number is a personal artifact proving you showed up and did the race, you toed the start line and dared to see what's possible," said Scott Power, creator of RACER Event Frames. Power, an Ironman triathlete, started the company after realizing the existing frame options for race bibs were too traditional looking for his tastes -- and expensive. So, he designed an alternative that retails for under $20.
"My fellow athletes like RACER Event Frames because it's cleverly designed and inexpensive. Race directors and event producers like RACER Frames because it can be used as athlete gift or goodie bag swag," Power said. It's also a great gift for the athlete in your life.
For event organizers and directors, custom branding options on the frames are a great way to personalize the frames for sale or giveaway at your next event. You can send participants home with a special way to savor and remember their race experience.
"We believe RACER Event Frames will delight athletes as something new and interesting, while simultaneously increasing the value of sponsorships by extending brand impressions into the home or office," said Power, who has an extensive background in brand consulting and design.
His product launches as the running industry experiences the "second running boom." Numbers of runners trying marathon and half-marathon distances continue to swell, according to data from Running USA, and triathlon participation is also at an all-time high.
As a recreational athlete himself, Power recognizes the sticking power of that first successful race.
"When one decides to use a RACER Frame, they aren't just framing and hanging a piece of paper. They are honoring everything it took them to show up and finish the race. Every dollar invested and early morning run, every missed weekend with family or friends, every sore muscle and fear of failure. A racer's bib is a symbol of all the personal sacrifice and dedication it took to do the race," Power added.
RACER Event Frames have a unique contour design with a black background and look great hanging individually or as a group. They assemble easily by hand and require just one small frame nail for wall hanging. To see images of the product, which retails for $19.95, visit www.racerframes.com
For more information about RACER Event Frames, call (310) 773-1165, email scott@racerframes.com or visit www.racerframes.com
Contact Information
Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Director, ryan@runningusa.org, (805) 696-6232
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