Running USA wire 64, August 10, 2011

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In this edition:
Fleshman, Curtis to Debut at ING New York City Marathon 2011
Edwards Sifuentes to Defend Women's New Balance Falmouth Mile Title
Woodrow Wilson Bridge Half Marathon to Host Potomac Valley Association Championship
Hartford Marathon Foundation Adds New Race Event in Rhode Island

UPCOMING EVENTS

Join Running USA today and have your event listed here, as well as on www.RunningUSA.org
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
XSport Fitness Rock 'n' Roll Chicago 1/2 Marathon, IL, Aug 14
The Hottest Half & 10K, Dallas, TX, August 14
Ragnar Relay Great River, La Crosse, WI, August 19
Runstock 5K, Quantico, VA, August 20
Madison Mini-Marathon & 5K, Madison, WI, August 20
Pikes Peak Ascent, Manitou Springs, CO, August 20
13.1 Marathon: Minneapolis, MN, August 21
Divas Half Marathon, Vail, CO, August 21
Pikes Peak Marathon, Manitou Springs, CO, August 21
Race for Research 5K, Denver, CO, August 21
America's Finest City Half-Marathon, San Diego, CA, Aug 21
Big Wild Life Runs, Anchorage, AK, August 21








Fleshman, Curtis to Debut at ING New York City Marathon 2011

Moran, Pritz round out "Freshman Class of 2011" of U.S. runners making marathon debuts in New York on Sunday, November 6



NEW YORK - (August 10, 2011) - The "Freshman Class of 2011" - Bobby Curtis, Ed Moran, Lauren Fleshman [High School: Canyon HS (Canyon Country, Calif.) ‘99; College: Stanford ‘03] and Molly Pritz - will make their marathon debuts at the ING New York City Marathon on Sunday, November 6, it was announced by New York Road Runners president and CEO Mary Wittenberg.



This quartet of American standouts continues a tradition set by compatriots Deena Kastor (2001)[Current Residence: Mammoth Lakes, Calif.
High School: Agoura (Calif.) '91], Meb Keflezighi (2002)[Current Residence: Mammoth Lakes, Calif.; High School: San Diego (Calif.) ‘94;
College: UCLA ‘98], Marla Runyan (2002)(Camarillo HS 1987; San Diego State, Dathan Ritzenhein (2006), Kara Goucher (2008), Jorge Torres (2009) and Shalane Flanagan (2010) of making their marathon debuts on New York City streets.



"This year's 'Freshman Class' are some of the best in their respective distances, and we are very excited to see what they can do in the marathon," said Wittenberg. "New York has become an inviting and exciting place for our Americans to debut from Alberto, Deena and Meb to Kara and Shalane, and we are ready to see what Bobby, Ed, Molly and Lauren have in store for 2011."



Curtis and Moran will join a pair of previously announced ING New York City Marathon champions on the men's side: Gebre Gebremariam of Ethiopia (2010) and Meb Keflezighi (2009) of the United States. In the women's division, Fleshman and Pritz will battle against defending champion Edna Kiplagat of Kenya, three-time Olympian Jen Rhines of the United States and Kim Smith of New Zealand.



Curtis, 26, of Ardmore, PA, became the seventh-fastest American of all time at 10,000 meters when he ran 27:24.67 to finish second at the Payton Jordan Invitational in April. Currently the third-fastest 5K runner in the world for 2011, the two-time Team USA member of the IAAF World Cross Country Championships team won the 2008 NCAA Championship at 5000 meters in 13:33.93.



"I'm thrilled to be debuting at the ING New York City Marathon," said Curtis. "I'm looking forward to competing as an American in what I believe to be the USA's most prestigious road race. Not only that, I'm excited to be competing in a city full of passionate running fans, many of whom will be running the marathon on November 6 just like me. I can think of no better event than the ING New York City Marathon for an American distance runner to have the race of his or her life."

Moran, 30, of Williamsburg, VA, won gold in the 5000 meters at the 2007 Pan American Games, becoming the first American male to do so since 1987. He also took home the title of USA 10K champion in 2010 at the AJC Peachtree Road Race in Atlanta. Moran finished fourth in the 10,000 meters at the 2008 Olympic Trials, missing the Olympic team by six seconds.



"I'm excited about making my marathon debut in New York City this fall," said Moran, who was born in Staten Island. "While I am mostly focused on the challenge of the marathon distance and the world class competition that comes to the Big Apple, I'm equally excited about fulfilling my childhood dream of running across the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge. For me, the ING New York City Marathon will be more than just a race. It is an event that I have always dreamed of competing in."



Fleshman, 29, of Eugene, OR, is making her marathon debut after winning the 5000 meters at the Aviva London Grand Prix over the weekend. The two-time USA 5000m champion has twice competed in the World Track & Field Championships, and sees the marathon as a stepping-stone on the way to her 2012 Olympic goals.



"My dream for the past 11 years has been to do something special with the 5000 meters in the 2012 Olympics," said Fleshman, a three-time NCAA titlist for Stanford University. "I know I need to get a lot stronger, so it became obvious that I need to throw some new wood on the fire. I've seen the marathon work its magic on many women I admire, and I'm convinced: Nothing will change my physiology, stretch my mind and freshen my perspective more than running the ING New York City Marathon."

Pritz, 23, of Williamsport, PA, won the 2011 USA 25K Championship in May in 1:25:38. She has shown success in the half-marathon distance with a win at the 2010 Rock 'n' Roll San Antonio Half-Marathon in 1:12:14 and finished as the runner-up to Smith at the 2011 Mardi Grad Half-Marathon in 1:11:05. Pritz has competed in the last two NYRR New York Mini 10K races in Central Park, finishing 16th in 2010 and 15th in 2011.



"Watching the ING New York City Marathon in 2008 is the reason I became a long-distance runner," said Pritz. "Ever since then I couldn't imagine a better place to make my marathon debut. I am not only excited to race in New York City, but am also thankful to be able to have an experience of a lifetime."



Kastor and Goucher set women's U.S. marathon debut records in New York. Goucher set the current record at 2:25:53 when she finished third three years ago.



The premier event of New York Road Runners, the ING New York City Marathon is one of the world's great road races, drawing some 140,000 applicants. The race attracts many world class professional athletes, not only for the $800,000 in prize money, but also for the chance to excel in the media capital of the world before two million cheering spectators and a worldwide broadcast reach of 330 million. As any one of the more than 875,000 past participants will attest, crossing the finish line in Central Park is one of the great thrills of a lifetime. For more information, visit: www.INGnycmarathon.org





Edwards Sifuentes to Defend Women's New Balance Falmouth Mile Title

The best of Massachusetts high school runners to complete in Scholastic Mile



FALMOUTH, Mass. - (August 9, 2011) - Defending mile champion Nicole Edwards Sifuentes, who ran for Michigan, will face a tough challenge from the best field of female milers ever gathered at Falmouth. The 16th New Balance Falmouth Mile will be held on Saturday evening, August 13 at the Falmouth High School James Kalperis Track. The event, held in conjunction with the New Balance Falmouth Road Race the next day, is actually two events - one for invited world class milers and the other for Massachusetts high school athletes. The Kalperis Track is a Mondo surface and recognized as one of the fastest in the world.



Edwards Sifuentes, who won last year in 4:32.45 will have to outrun the 2008 U.S. Olympian and 2009 Falmouth Mile champion Erin Donohue from Haddonfield, N.J. who beat Edwards in 4:27.91. Donohue's time was the fastest women's mile in the world for 2009. Edward's time of 4:29.33 was the fifth best in the world.



Other likely challenges should be from Stephanie Garcia, who ran for the University of Virginia and was fourth at recent USA Championships in the steeplechase, and has run a 4:34 relay anchor on a Virginia distance medley relay; Maggie Infield, Georgetown, has run a 4:34 relay anchor and is now completing her first year of medical studies; and Nichole Schappert, Villanova, is a two-time NCAA championships winner and owns a personal best 4:35.97 mile. Additional competitors and their 1500 meter times include - Sara Vaughn, University of Colorado, 4:08.74; University of California Riverside graduate, Brenda Martinez, 4:39.58; Meghan Peyton, University of Iowa, 4:40.5, and Erin Koch, American University, 4:46.19. The women's event record of 4:25.27 was set by Suzy Favor Hamilton in 2002.



The men's event has its largest field to date with 12 competititors. Those to watch are the 2009 Falmouth winner Will Leer, Oregon Track Club, who ran 3:57.28. Will was fifth in the USA Championships 1500 meters in Eugene. Adrian Blincoe, who ran for Villanova, was a 2008 New Zealand Olympian, and has run a 3:54.40, will be going to Daegu to represent the Kiwi's in the 5000 meters. Two other challengers are Irishman and Florida State graduate, Ciaran O'Lionaird, who has been tearing up the 1500 meters in Europe, recently dropping his personal best by four seconds to 3:34.00, and A.J. Acosta (El Camino HS), Oregon, who has run 3:53.76 and was eleventh at the recent USA Championships 1500. This is the first time Acosta has run on the East Coast.



The remaining athletes all have run sub-four minute miles at various times in their careers. They include - Liam Boylan-Pett, Columbia University, 3:59.40; Jake Bolas, Wisconsin, 3:58.4; Ben Bruce [High School: Mt. Carmel (San Diego, Calif.) HS ‘00; College: Cal Poly San Luis Obispo ’05; San Diego Mesa CC ’02], Oregon Track Club, who last week ran the second-fastest American time in the steeplechase this year in 8:19.10; John Jefferson, Indiana, who ran 3:56.82 in the 2008 Falmouth mile; Jordan McNamara, Oregon, whose best is 3:56.82, and was tenth in the USA Championships 1500, and Craig Miller, Wisconsin, whose best is 3:58.41. Rob Novak, Seton Hall, who ran 3:59.70 and Jeff See, Ohio State, who ran 3:58.15 round out the field. The men's event record is 3:56.45 set by Jon Rankin (Monte Vista HS, Spring Valley, CA; UCLA) in 2008.



The winner of the New Balance Falmouth Mile takes home $2000, while the runner-up receives $1000, with $500 for third and $250 for fourth. If the men's winner runs sub-4:00 and women's winner runs below 4:33 they pocket another $1000. Any other men or women under the standard will be awarded $500.



This year marks the second edition of New Balance Falmouth Scholastic Mile. Last year, the girls' and boys' competitions featured top runners on Cape Cod and this year it has been expanded to feature top Bay State high school talent. Each high school athlete will outfitted in New Balance apparel.



Girls' Scholastic Mile - 6:00pm
RECORD - 5:27.58, Anna Gannett, Sandwich (MA), 2010
Name, Town
Hannah Alpert, Needham
Gianna Cacciatore, Whitman
Lauren Columbare, Mansfield
Jill Corcoran, Weymouth
Alex Giese, Franklin
Madison Granger, Belchertown
Katie Jessee, Concord
Abigail Pohl, Weston
Kelsey Whitaker, Kingston
Laura Williamson, Princeton



Boys' Scholastic Mile - 6:15pm
RECORD - 4:28.43, Max Darrah, Mashpee (MA), 2010
Brendan Adams, Pembroke
Wesley Gallagher, Pembroke
Mike Giardina, Lowell
Alex Jagelsky, Rutland
Andrew Hood, Franklin
Joel Hubbard, Marshfield
Brendan Robertson, Westborough
Stephen Sollowin, Weymouth
James Sullivan, Acton
Kevin Thomas, Marshfield



Elite Women's Mile - 6:30pm
RECORD - 4:25.27, Suzy Favor Hamilton (WI), 2002
Name Age City, State or Country Mile Time (or other timed noted)
Meghan Armstrong Peyton 25 Richfield, MN, 4:40.5
Erin Donohue 25 Hadden, NJ, 4:26.48
Stephanie Garcia 23 South Riding, VA, 4:45.73
Maggie Infeld 25 Washington, DC, 4:35.37
Erin Koch 23 Perkasle, PA, 4:46.19
Brenda Martinez (Rancho Cucamonga HS; UC Riverside) 23 Alamosa, CO, 4:39.58
Nicole Schappert 28 Piscataway, NJ, 4:35.97
Nicole (Edwards) Sifuentes 25 Canada, 4:29.33
Sara Vaughn 25 Beverton, OR, 4:08.74 (1500m)



Elite Men's Mile - 6:45pm
RECORD - 3:56.45, Jon Rankin (CA), 2008
Name Age City, State or Country Mile Time (or other timed noted)
AJ Acosta 23 Oceanside, CA, 3:53.76
Adrian Blincoe 31 New Zealand, 3:54.40
Jack Bolas 23 Chapel Hill, NC, 3:58.4
Liam Boylan-Pett 25 New York, NY, 3:59.40
Ben Bruce 28 Eugene, OR, 8:19.10 (3000m steeplechase)
John Jefferson 28 Delray Beach, FL, 3:56.82
Will Leer 26 Ann Arbor, MI, 3:55.66
Jordan McNamara 24 Auburn, WA, 3:56.82
Craig Miller 24 Madison, WI, 3:58.41
Rob Novak 25 West Orange, NJ, 3:59.70
Ciaran O'Lionaird 23 Ireland, 3:57.99
Jeff See 25 Middletown, OH, 3:58.15



Awards Ceremony - 7:00pm

In addition to top-level mile performances, spectators will be treated to entertainment and will be eligible raffle prizes which will be drawn between races and the grand prize raffle that will be drawn at 7:00pm. Winners must be present at the mile to claim their prize.



Visit www.falmouthroadrace.com/mile for more information.



Woodrow Wilson Bridge Half Marathon to Host Potomac Valley Association Championship

PVA Championship returns for second edition; 5,000 field expected; prize purse exceeds $10,000





ALEXANDRIA, Va. - (August 8, 2011) - Potomac Valley Association/USATF will return as a supporter of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge Half Marathon presented by Endurance Enterprises LLC, slated for Sunday, October 2, 2011, 7:30am. For the second edition, NBC4 news anchor Doreen Gentzler is returning as the Honorary Chair.



Potomac Valley Association (PVA) of USA Track & Field Half Marathon Championship: for all card-carrying PVA/USATF members who will be competing for prize money and prestige at the second PVA Half Marathon Championships. Prize purse - Open athletes male/female first place $300, second place $200 and third place $100. Prize purse for Master athletes (40+) male/female first place $250, second place $150 and third place $100. Double dipping is allowed. Prizes will be in the form of gift cards.

PVA membership is available at: www.usatf.org/assoc/pva



"It is a great honor to be awarded the PVA Half Marathon Championship, especially for the second consecutive year. Our partnership with PVA and USA Track & Field continues to enhance the Woodrow Wilson Bridge Half Marathon as a signature event in the Washington metropolitan region and it helps to promote the participation and advancement of PVA members," stated Event Director Steve Nearman.



There is additional prize money for the overall male and female top five finishers: $1000, $500, $250, $200 and $100 as well as U.S.-only prize money for the top male and female finishers: $800, $500, $300, $200 and $100 and Masters (age 40 and older) male and female top finishers: $200, $150 and $100.



There will be additional bonus prize money for Open elites and Americans which is listed on the race website (www.wilsonbridgehalf.com).



Laura O'Hara was the top female PVA member in 2010, "It was great! The African women were so far out in front of us that they were a non-factor, but it was good race among the American women. Running over the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, I live in Old Town, so I run to National Harbor over the bridge quite frequently for training runs. That's a nice hill that plays to strength runners. I am a strength runner and I used that and my familiarity with the bridge to escape my competition."



The race will benefit six charity partners: Autism Speaks, Alice Ferguson Foundation, Child & Family Network Centers of Alexandria, Washington Area Women's Foundation and Back on My Feet - DC and RunningBrooke Fund.



The destination half-marathon will begin at Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens in Alexandria, Virginia, travel up the George Washington Memorial Parkway and over the majestic Woodrow Wilson Bridge path. Once in Maryland, the USATF-certified 13.1-mile course will travel clockwise around National Harbor resort with sweeping vistas of the famed Potomac River and the bridge before ending at the river in front of the eclectic Awakening Statue. This event is a must for a marathon training program.



The field is set to sell out at 5,000 entrants. Registration can be found at: www.wilsonbridgehalf.com





Hartford Marathon Foundation Adds New Race Event in Rhode Island

Surftown Half Marathon to make inaugural run along scenic oceanfront



GLASTONBURY, Conn. - (August 10, 2011) - The Hartford Marathon Foundation is expanding its award-winning lineup of race events beyond Connecticut for the first time with the addition of the new Surftown Half Marathon on Sunday, September 18, 2011. The 13.1 mile course loop will start and finish at Misquamicut Beach, Rhode Island, following along scenic oceanfront, past the rocky beaches of Weekapaug and through the beautiful village of Watch Hill.



Lively music along the course, great post race food and beach-side festivities are just a taste of what participants and spectators will experience on race day. Establishing the Surftown Half Marathon marks the first time the Hartford Marathon Foundation has hosted a race outside Connecticut. Race organizers expect 700 runners for this inaugural run with a goal to make the event annual and host up to 2,000 by its third year.



"The Surftown Half Marathon is a great addition to our 2011 season; the beautiful Rhode Island oceanfront and mostly flat course will delight athletes of all levels," said Beth Shluger, Executive Director of the Hartford Marathon Foundation. "I have run and biked in this area for years and have always wanted to bring an oceanfront experience to our participants. We're excited to be putting our stamp in Rhode Island and hope to continue this new race for many years to come."



The Foundation is looking forward to partnering with local Rhode Island organizations. A portion of each race entry will benefit the Chariho-Westerly Animal Rescue League, a non-profit charitable organization dedicating to aiding animals in distress, and volunteers from the League will be on site to provide animal rescue information. Additionally, all registered Surftown runners will receive a free ticket to the Misquamicut Business Association's Fall Festival. The festival is on the grounds of Misquamicut State Beach and includes a petting zoo, food festival, amusements and more.



To register or for more race information, go to: www.hartfordmarathon.com

The Hartford Marathon Foundation has been coordinating multi-sport events for the past 18 years in the state of Connecticut. The Foundation's signature event, the ING Hartford Marathon, offer a full marathon, half-marathon and 5K for adults and multiple running events for kids of all ages. The 18th ING Hartford Marathon is being held Saturday, October 15, 2011 and more than 14,000 athletes are expected.





Contact Information


Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Director, ryan@runningusa.org, (805) 696-6232
This email was sent to keithconning@aol.com by ryan@runningusa.org |
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