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In this edition:
Houseworth, Willis Win Zappos.com Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas ½ Marathon
King, Arritola Take XTERRA Trail Run World Titles
New Explore Minnesota Challenge Takes Runners on Adventure Across Minnesota
Marine Corps Marathon Receives Davey Award for Online Marketing
UPCOMING EVENTS
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Jingle Bell Run for Arthritis 5K, Birmingham, AL, December 10
USATF National Club Cross Country Championships, Seattle, WA, Dec 10
Inaugural Dodge Latin Music Miami Beach 1/2 Marathon, FL, December 11
Tucson Marathon, Tucson, AZ, December 11
Athleta Iron Girl Scottsdale Women's 5K & 10K, AZ, December 11
Santa to the Sea Half-Marathon, Oxnard, CA, December 11
Run Holiday Half, Pomona, CA, December 11
HUFF 50K Trail Run & Relay, Fort Wayne, IN, December 17
12K's of Christmas, Kirkland, WA, December 18
Christmas Day - Joyful 5K, St. Paul, MN, December 25
Emerald Nuts Midnight Run, New York, NY, December 31
First Run Burlington, Burlington, VT, January 1, 2012
PT Solutions Resolution Run, Kennesaw, GA, January 1
New Year's Day Hopeful 5K, St. Paul, MN, January 1
Resolution Run 5K & Polar Bear Dive, Seattle, WA, January 1
U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials, Houston, TX, January 14
2012 London Olympic Games qualifier
Running USA 2012: The Industry Conference, Houston, TX, Jan 15-17
"Passing the Torch: Running Toward the Future"
Houseworth, Willis Win Zappos.com Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas ½ Marathon
Omae, Erdelyi marathon champions; "World's Largest Nighttime Running Event" draws record field of 44,000; Cheap Trick rocks pre-race concert
By Mario Fraioli, Competitor Group
LAS VEGAS - (December 4, 2011) - In a place where performers from all walks of life come to make it big, it seemed fitting that Sean Houseworth took over two minutes off his personal best to run away with the win at the Zappos.com Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas 1/2 Marathon on Sunday night.
The 24-year-old from Highlands Ranch, Colorado broke free from James Carney and Jason Lehmkuhle with just under four miles to go and held his lead all the way to the tape to win in 1 hour, 3 minutes and 12 seconds. Jason Hartmann of Boulder, Colorado rallied over the final two miles to take second in 1:03:34, while Lehmkuhle held on for third in 1:03:37.
"This was a huge breakthrough for me and to do it in this kind of atmosphere and this big of a race it's a great feeling," said Houseworth, who finished third here in 2009 in 1:05:35. "I had a plan going in just to compete, not worry about the time. I was able to execute exactly how I wanted to. I paid the price for the quick early pace, but overall I executed exactly."
Houseworth, a 5K-10K specialist who was making the rare move up in distance, easily qualified for Olympic Marathon Trials with his low-1:03 clocking (the qualifying standard is 1:05), but is unsure if he will run the event in Houston in January 2012.
"I haven't decided whether or not I'll do the Olympic Trials," Houseworth said, "but if that's something my coach Juli Benson and I decide to do then I'm sure she'll have me ready for it."
In the women's race, Australian Benita Willis ran what she called the "best race I've had since 2006" to win easily in 1:10:40 - a new event and State record. Runner-up Amy Hastings of Mammoth Lakes, California clocked 1:11:22 followed by Katie McGregor third in a personal record 1:11:45.
"I was feeling really good from the start," said Willis, who is hoping to qualify for the Australian Olympic Team at the Chevron Houston Marathon on January 15. "My goal was to have a really hard effort. I just needed to have a really hard run. My training has been going really well but I just needed to get it together for a race and see where I am racing wise. I really wanted to run here. I love the Rock 'n' Roll races and it fit in really well to come here."
Willis, who was joined by eventual second and third place finishers Hastings and McGregor through a fast first 5 miles in just over 26 minutes, pulled away from the American duo before the turnaround onto Las Vegas Boulevard, gradually stretching out her advantage all the way to the finish line.
"It gives me a lot of confidence," Willis said of her victory. "It shows that I'm in good shape and I can definitely do the time to make the Olympics."
The half-marathon wasn't the only event taking place this evening in Vegas. Ninety minutes before the start of the half-marathon some 8,000 marathoners began their 26.2 mile quest. In the end, it was 33-year-old Kenyan Peter Omae and 23-year old Zsofia Erdelyi (USC) of Hungary who came away with the victories in 2:29:13 and 2:48:59, respectively.
"This is my hardest marathon I ever ran," said Omae, who won the Newport Beach Marathon earlier this year in 2:22:42. "The course is good but the wind - I never ran a marathon with wind, or at night. It was fun to run in Vegas; I will run this race again next year."
Clay Wing, 37, of Washington finished second in 2:35:24, with 47-year-old Rafael Cueto third (2:35:56).
Erdelyi, making her marathon debut, reached the line completely spent, 38 seconds ahead of runner-up Melanie Peters of White Lake, Michigan. Marnie Staehky was third in 2:55:31. No athletes qualified for the Olympic Marathon Trials in the 26.2 mile race.
More than 44,000 registered runners took part in this annual event, including a handful of celebrities: reality TV star Kate Gosselin, who ran her first ever marathon in 4:59:21; Bachelor stars Jason and Molly Mesnick finished the half-marathon in 1:57:07 and 2:17:40, respectively, and Amazing Race contestant Louie Stravato finished the half-marathon in 3:00:43, while Mike McCready, lead guitarist for Pearl Jam, crossed the finish line in 2:11:52.
The 4th Zappos.com Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon & ½ Marathon to benefit the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America is set for Sunday night, December 2, 2012.
3rd Zappos.com Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon
Las Vegas, NV, Sunday, December 4, 2011
MEN
1) Peter Omae (KEN), 2:29:13, $1000
2) Clay Wing (WA), 2:35:24, $500
3) Rafael Cueto, 47, DOM, 2:35:56, $250
WOMEN
1) Zsofia Erdelyi (HUN), 2:48:59, $1000
2) Melanie Peters (MI), 2:49:37, $500
3) Marnie Staehly (TX), 2:55:31, $250
3rd Zappos.com Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas ½ Marathon
MEN
1) Sean Houseworth (CO), 1:03:12, $1000
2) Jason Hartmann (CO), 1:03:34, $500
3) Jason Lehmkuhle (MN), 1:03:37, $250
4) Sean Quigley (CO), 1:04:14
5) Matt Gabrielson (MN), 1:04:19
WOMEN
1) Benita Willis (AUS), 1:10:40*, $1000
2) Amy Hastings (CA), 1:11:22, $500
3) Katie McGregor (MN), 1:11:45, $250
4) Addie Bracy (NC), 1:14:10
5) Kathy Newberry (MI), 1:14:53
*event and State record (previous, 1:10:55, Werknesh Kidane (ETH), 2009)
For photos, official results and more, go to: www.StripatNight.com
King, Arritola Take XTERRA Trail Run World Titles
Four-peat for King; event record field of more than 2,000 participate in Hawaii
By Dayton Morinaga, XTERRA
KUALOA RANCH - KA'A'AWA, Hawaii - (December 4, 2011) - The anticipated rain never hit Kualoa Ranch, but the reign of Max King continued at the XTERRA Trail Run World Championship.
King, 31, won the XTERRA Trail Run World title for the fourth consecutive year, this time topping a record field at Kualoa Ranch, Oahu, Hawaii on Sunday, December 4.
More than 2,000 runners from around world participated in the event, and in keeping with the tradition, none of them came close to King.
King, an Olympic Marathon hopeful from Bend, Oregon, completed the 21.9-kilometer course (13.6 miles) in 1 hour, 21 minutes, 27 seconds. He received $2000 and a roundtrip airfare from Hawaiian Airlines for the victory.
"I'm surprised," King said. "I knew there was good competition, and to be honest, I wasn't feeling 100 percent. So at the start, there were three of us and we kind of broke away, and I was surprised that more guys weren't there with us. Then about halfway, I kind of broke away again and was really surprised to finish here that far ahead."
King said he was suffering from a cold and a sore Achilles. "I don't know what it is about this race," he said. "Maybe it's because of the time of year and the travel, but I never seem to come here fully healthy, so I'm just happy to win it again."
The XTERRA Trail Run World Championship at Kualoa Ranch was created in 2008, and King has won it every year. It rained on the island of Oahu earlier in the week, but the challenging trails at Kualoa Ranch remained dry for the race.
"It was real humid out there," King said. "It was tough as always. You think you're through the worst part and then that big hill comes up at you, so this race is always challenging."
Peter Pechek of the Czech Republic was this year's runner-up, finishing in 1:22:56. It was his first time racing in Hawaii.
"It's a very difficult race," Pechek said. "The downhills were really hard for me. I ran with (King) for the first 10K, then he got ahead. We have zero degrees in the Czech Republic right now, so to run in this hot weather was difficult, too."
Ben Bruce of Eugene, Oregon was third in 1:23:01 - just five seconds behind Pechek. Bruce was in second for most of the course, but got caught in a logjam of the slower runners who were getting lapped.
"For me, this is totally out of my realm," Bruce said. "I'm usually a track runner, and I do better on the roads. But it was chaos toward the end there, and I wasn't expecting that. I kind of had to dodge the (slower) runners and got bumped and almost fell and that's kind of when (Pechek) passed me."
Bruce has participated in the XTERRA Trail Run World Championship three times and has finished second (2008) and third twice (2009 and 2011).
For the women, Morgan Arritola was an impressive 10th place overall and first in the women's division in 1:33:00. It was her first XTERRA Trail Run World Championship in her first race in Hawaii, and she said she now understands why the course is often described as breathtaking in more ways than one.
"It was beautiful," she said. "I wish I wasn't dying so much out there so I could have enjoyed it a little more. The humidity really got to me."
That's excusable, considering that just last week, Arritola was training on snow skis in minus-15 degrees in her home state of Idaho. She is a member of the USA cross country ski team.
"The start was mayhem, there were so many runners," she said. "So I kind of just kept running and never really saw any of the other women."
That's because no other women were close. Arritola finished more than four minutes ahead of the other females.
Lucy Smith, 44, a former Canadian cross country champion, placed second in 1:37:46. It was also her first appearance at the XTERRA Trail Run World Championship.
"It was an amazing experience, probably one of the hardest trail runs I've ever done," Smith said. "I loved the way the trail took you to so many different parts of the park. I feel so much gratitude to be able to do this race and be on vacation in Hawaii at the same time."
Former Ironman world champion Heather Fuhr, 43, of Encinitas, California, was third in 1:40:52, while Cindy Anderson, the 2008 women's XTERRA Trail Run World Champion, was fourth in 1:42:08.
The XTERRA Trail Run World Championship was the last race in a 70-stop World Tour - a national and international series of trail races ranging from 5K to 42K held in eight countries and 15 U.S. states.
The race also was filmed for a segment in the nationally syndicated XTERRA Adventures TV show that will start airing in May 2012.
4th XTERRA Trail Run World Championship
Oahu, HI, Sunday, December 4, 2011
MEN
1) Max King (OR), 1:21:27, $2000 plus roundtrip airline ticket
2) Petr Pechek (CZE), 1:22:56, $1000
3) Ben Bruce (OR), 1:23:01, $750
4) Rivers Puzey (HI), 1:25:45, $500
5) Jacob Puzey (OR), 1:26:59, $300
6) Jeffrey Moreland (NV), 1:27:10, $250
7) Brandon Laan (CAN), 1:31:04, $200
WOMEN
1) Morgan Arritola (ID), 1:33:00, $2000 plus roundtrip airline ticket
2) Lucy Smith, 44, CAN, 1:37:46, $1000
3) Heather Fuhr, 43, CA, 1:40:52, $750
4) Cynthia Anderson (HI), 1:42:08, $500
5) Melanie McQuaid (CAN), 1:47:08, $300
6) Susie Stephen (AZ), 1:49:35, $250
7) Eva Skalnikova (CZE), 1:51:43, $200
Full results including 2011 XTERRA age-group world champions and more at: www.XTERRAtrailrun.com
New Explore Minnesota Challenge Takes Runners on Adventure Across Minnesota
Anderson Race Management, Explore Minnesota offer joint race series across the state
MINNEAPOLIS - (December 1, 2011) - Anderson Race Management and Explore Minnesota Tourism, the travel promotion office of the State of Minnesota, have announced the launch of the new statewide running series "Explore Minnesota Challenge". This series of more than 25 races in locations around the state of Minnesota encourages runners and walkers to participate in eight of the events, including at least one in each of four different areas of the state.
"This new race series includes a variety of great events around our state," said Anderson Race Management owner Mary Anderson. "We are thrilled to partner with Explore Minnesota on the Explore Minnesota Challenge as we work to bring walkers and runners out to enjoy the unique offerings of each of the wonderful regions of this state."
Participants will be awarded a special Explore Minnesota Challenge lapel pin representing the region where they completed a race. A special Explore Minnesota Challenge medal will be awarded to those who complete a total of 8 events including one in each of the four designated areas. Participants who register for the series will also receive membership in the Minnesota Distance Running Association.
"Minnesotans are known for their active lifestyles," said John Edman, director of Explore Minnesota Tourism. "Partnering with Anderson Race Management on this race series is a great way to promote Minnesota as a destination for runners and walkers. The series is an innovative way to let people know about the fun events Minnesota communities offer year-round."
Registration for the series is open to the first 500 participants. The first event that will be available to Challengers is the Securian Winter Run, January 28, 2012.
For a complete list of participating Challenge events and to register for the Explore Minnesota Challenge, visit: andersonraces.com
Marine Corps Marathon Receives Davey Award for Online Marketing
MCM wins Silver Award for Video Promotion of RunStock 5K in 2011
QUANTICO, Va. - (Nov. 30, 2011) - The Marine Corps Marathon (MCM) has won the prestigious International Davey Award and is being honored for outstanding creativity in promotion and advertising for the RunStock 5K that was held in August on Marine Corps Base Quantico. The MCM has received the Silver Award for Online Advertising and Marketing under the category "Branded Content" for the video "The Right Prescription for a Race" produced by MCM TV, a part of the MCM Marketing Team.
The Davey Award presented annually by the International Committee for Visual Arts recognizes businesses and organizations who are the "Creative Davids", deriving their strength from big ideas, rather than large budgets.
"The Right Prescription for a Race" appears on the MCM YouTube channel, which is accessible through www.marinemarathon.com. The video features several members of the MCM staff with Miles, the bulldog mascot, who is looking for just the right music to motivate him to run the RunStock 5K. The RunStock 5K was part of the 2011 MCM Event Series of road races held March through November. The evening RunStock event included live performers along the course and a finish-line concert by the "School of Rock". The video was produced to promote registration for the event.
The "Creative Davids" are derived from the story of David and Goliath, when the much smaller David defeated Goliath with a little rock - and a very big idea.
Voted the best marathon for families, the Marine Corps Marathon honors the dedication, sportsmanship and patriotism of its participants. Runners from all walks of life participate in the largest marathon not to offer prize money, earning the name, "The People's Marathon". The 2011 MCM, sponsored by Brooks, Nissan, Aetna, Arlington, VA and GE, is the fifth largest marathon in the United States and the ninth largest in the world. The 37th MCM will be held on Sunday, Oct. 28, 2012.
Contact Information
Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Director, ryan@runningusa.org, (805) 696-6232
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