Running USA wire 3, January 8, 2012

Running USA wire 3, January 8, 2012
Running USA advances the growth and success of the running industry in America.


Partners: The Active Network, Ashworth Awards, Competitor Group, Leslie Jordan, Inc. and MarathonFoto help make this wire possible.




In this edition:
MarathonFoto Re-Signs as Running USA Conference Presenting Sponsor
12 Fun Facts About the 2012 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials
Mutai, Kilel to Defend Boston Marathon Titles
Costa, High Win 19th Walt Disney World Marathon

UPCOMING EVENTS

Join Running USA today and have your event listed here, as well as on www.RunningUSA.org


U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials, Houston, TX, January 14
2012 London Olympic Games qualifier
Avalon Benefit 50 Mile Run, Avalon, CA, January 14
Running USA 2012: The Industry Conference, Houston, TX, Jan 15-17
"Passing the Torch: Running Toward the Future"
St. Pete Beach Classic Half-Marathon, St. Petersburg, FL, Jan 15
Louisiana Marathon & Half, Baton Rouge, LA, January 15
40th Chevron Houston Marathon, TX, January 15
Aramco Houston Half-Marathon & El Paso Corporation 5K
P.F. Chang's Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon & 1/2, Phoenix, AZ, Jan 15
13.1 Los Angeles, CA, January 15
Maui Paradise Marathon, Kihei, Maui, HI, January 15
NYRR 5-Borough Series: Manhattan, NY, January 21
Seasons 52 Park Avenue 5.2K, Winter Park, FL, January 21
ATC Peachtree City 5K & 10K, Peachtree City, GA, January 21
Frosty's Frozen 5 & 10 Milers, Littleton, CO, January 21
Kids Marathon Mile at LEGOLAND, Carlsbad, CA, January 21
Polar Bear 5K, Denver, CO, January 22
Tri-City Medical Center Carlsbad Marathon & Half, CA, Jan 22
Rose Bowl Half-Marathon, Pasadena, CA, January 22
Maui Oceanfront Marathon, Wailea-Lahaina, HI, January 22


MarathonFoto Re-Signs as Running USA Conference Presenting Sponsor

Original Running USA: The Industry Conference sponsor since 2004 expands its support of the sport's must-attend conference; also "Official Event Photography Partner of Running USA" for the next three years


COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - (January 8, 2012) - Running USA, the national industry non-profit organization, has announced that MarathonFoto has re-signed as presenting sponsor of the annual Running USA conference. Running USA 2012: The Industry Conference will be held at the Hyatt Regency Houston on January 15-17. This year's theme for the 9th edition is "Passing the Torch: Running Toward the Future", and more than 400 attendees are expected in the Bayou City.



"Running USA and MarathonFoto have been together since the inaugural Running USA conference in 2004, and as partners, we have seen this conference grow every year to become the signature get together for the sport, and we welcome the increased support from MarathonFoto as a presenting sponsor of Running USA 2012 and the morning runs and their generous support will help make this year's conference the best yet. In addition, MarathonFoto is the Official Event Photography Partner of Running USA for the next three years," said Susan Weeks, Running USA CEO.



"We are pleased to be able to expand our support of Running USA and become a Presenting Sponsor for 2012," said Bruce Franke, President of MarathonFoto. "Since attending the inaugural Running USA Industry Conference and becoming a sponsor that same year we have been extremely gratified at the growth of the organization and the impact it is having on the running industry in our nation. We look forward to helping Running USA continue its growth and development well into the future."



SPECIAL RUNNING USA 2012 EVENTS

Opening reception presented by Leslie Jordan
Running USA Hall of Champions Dinner and Live Auction presented by Competitor Group
Allan Steinfeld Development Award
Trailblazer Luncheon and Award presented by The Active Network
Cocktail reception presented by MapMyRun.com
Ashworth Youth Awards Luncheon
Sponsor Expo
2012 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials and Chevron Houston Marathon weekend
Morning runs presented by MarathonFoto


Register today for Running USA 2012. The conference rate is $649 for Running USA members and $849 for non-members (price increase January 13). On-line registration, hotel, travel, schedule, news, attendees list, Olympic Trials VIP package and other information for Running USA 2012 is available at: http://runningusa.org/programs/conference



About MarathonFoto
MarathonFoto located in Fairfield, Iowa is a division of Event Photography Group, Inc. (EPG) the world's largest event photography company. MarathonFoto capture images of over 2 million event participants annually around the world and concludes over 98% of all its photo transactions online. Client events include: The Virgin London Marathon, The Bank of America Chicago Marathon, The Boston Marathon, The BMW Berlin Marathon, The Marine Corps Marathon, The Honda LA Marathon, The Peachtree Road Race, as well as US Road Sports events plus numerous other prestigious events throughout North America and Europe. MarathonFoto pursues a strategy of providing each event participant with the most unique images possible as well as a complete portfolio of digital and print products. MarathonFoto supports its client events through multiple social media channels, distinctive Public Relations photos and Financial Sponsorship.



More MarathonFoto information is available at: www.marathonfoto.com



About Running USA
Running USA advances, serves, promotes and celebrates the sport of running as a clearinghouse and resource center and though its popular annual conference, Running USA wire, Running USA Industry E-News, website, annual marathon, half-marathon and State of the Sport reports, National Runner Survey and youth fitness portal RunningRocks.com and by supporting athlete development.



Running USA's more than 325 members include events with 2-plus million finishers and prize money exceeding $5.7 million, race services companies, running-related media companies and organizations and the athletic industry.



In March 2009, the non-profit industry organization marked a decade of achievement to build and promote the sport. For more information, visit: RunningUSA.org or contact Ryan Lamppa at (805) 696-6232 or ryan@runningusa.org



Twitter: @RunningUSA, Conference #RunningUSA2012





12 Fun Facts About the 2012 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials

London 2012 Olympic Games qualifier on Saturday, January 14, 2012 in Houston


Did you know?



1) This event will produce the first members of the U.S. Olympic Track & Field Team for the 2012 Olympic Games in London - 6 qualifiers (3 men and 3 women).



2) Houston is the first city to host both the men's and women's qualifying races at the same Olympic Trials.



3) Ryan Hall's (Big Bear HS 2001; Stanford 2006) 2:04:58 from Boston 2011 is the fastest Olympic Trials qualifying time ever.



4) To-date, after seven U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials editions, no U.S. woman has repeated as Olympic Trials champion. Frank Shorter is the only repeat men's Trials champion (1972 and 1976).



5) This is the deepest U.S. women's marathon field at the Trials with the most qualifiers ever: sub-2:25 (2), sub-2:30 (7), sub-2:35 (18) and sub-2:40 (50).



6) Linda Somers Smith (UC Davis 1983) is the only person (male or female) to-date to qualify by time standard for seven U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials.



7) Qualifier Kelly Calway, US Army Captain, earned a Bronze Star Medal while deployed in Iraq.



8) Houston is the first city to host three Olympic Marathon Trials (also women's 1992 Olympic Trials).



9) Qualifier Caroline White, Air Force Captain, is an F-15 fighter jet pilot.



10) Qualifier Brooke Wells (Carmel HS 2002; California) is a regular columnist on the Huffington Post's "Heal".



11) Sixth fastest women's qualifier Stephanie Rothstein's 28th birthday is January 14, the same day as the 2012 Olympic Marathon Trials.



12) This event will be the 12th U.S. Men's Olympic Marathon Trials.



For Trials entrants and top athlete bios and profiles and more, go to: www.hmcpresscenter.com or www.houston2012.com




Mutai, Kilel to Defend Boston Marathon Titles

2012 marks the 27th year of John Hancock's landmark sponsorship of the storied Boston Marathon; another top international expected at 116th edition


BOSTON - (January, 5, 2012) - John Hancock Financial has announced the return of 2011 Boston Marathon champions Geoffrey Mutai and Caroline Kilel of Kenya for the 116th running of the race on Monday, April 16.



Geoffrey Mutai ran the fastest marathon in history at last year's race, prevailing against a highly competitive field without the aid of pacesetters. In a thrilling duel to the finish, Mutai outkicked his countryman Moses Mosop in the final meters to break the tape in a World's Best time of 2 hours, 3 minutes, 2 seconds to Mosop's 2:03:06. Never before in the sport had two men run the 26.2-mile distance with such speed.



Mutai led eight John Hancock sponsored professional men under the 2:08 barrier over one of the world's most difficult courses. He credited American Ryan Hall for pushing the pace and the lead pack throughout the historic run. Hall set a new U.S. Best and course record with his 2:04:58 fourth place finish.



"I want to return to Boston to defend my title," said Mutai. "I very much liked the race in 2011, because I made the best time ever run in the marathon." After his Boston win, Mutai continued to break barriers as he notched a 2:05:06 course record this past fall in New York City. With that double crown, he became the first man in history to break course records in Boston and New York City in the same year.



Boston's 2011 women's race was equally enthralling as fans from around the world saw Caroline Kilel trade the lead with American Desiree Davila (Hilltop HS, Chula Vista 2001; Arizona State 2005) several times down the finishing stretch of Boylston Street. Kilel ultimately triumphed by two seconds over Davila for the 2:22:36 win, before collapsing in exhaustion. The close finish marked the fourth consecutive year the women's race in Boston had been decided by three seconds or less.



"I have chosen the Boston Marathon because, of course, I had a good experience by winning in 2011," said Kilel. "I hope I can do the same this year." With another podium finish, Kilel hopes to be named to the 2012 Kenyan Olympic Marathon Team.



Kilel and Davila now respectively hold the fourth and fifth fastest times ever run on the Boston course. Davila also claimed the U.S. course record of 2:22:38, which eclipsed Joan Benoit Samuelson's 1983 record of 2:22:43.



"Throughout our more than quarter century sponsorship of the Boston Marathon, John Hancock has each year honored its commitment to bring the world's top runners to the race, and knowing the defending champions will return in 2012 is an excellent start to the new year," said Rob Friedman, head of Sponsorship and Event Marketing at John Hancock. "We are counting down the days to April 16th and expect to provide millions of spectators and viewers with yet another thrilling contest."



"We are delighted to have Geoffrey Mutai and Caroline Kilel returning to defend their titles at this year's event," said Tom Grilk, Executive Director of the Boston Athletic Association. "After their magnificent performances in 2011 they have become synonymous with excellence in running and racing in Boston. Now, thanks to John Hancock Financial Services, both Mutai and Kilel have the opportunity to come back in April and attempt to add to their list of outstanding performances."



The 2012 Boston Marathon marks the 27th year of John Hancock's landmark sponsorship of the legendary race and also the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Company. For additional information about the sponsorship and professional athlete program, go to: www.johnhancock.com/bostonmarathon/sportspartnerships.html or follow us @jhboston26 on Twitter



Visit baa.org for more Boston Marathon information.






Costa, High Win 19th Walt Disney World Marathon

Brazilian runner wins second straight Disney Marathon after fierce battle with perennial winner Adriano Bastos; Virginia Beach's Renee High easily takes women's title; field of more than 16,500 pushes weekend total to event record 56,000 runners

From Bob Hitchcock, runDisney



LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - (January 8, 2012) - Brazilian runner Fredison Costa did it again, holding off his heavily-favored countryman Adriano Bastos on Sunday to win his second straight Walt Disney World Marathon.



At the 19th edition, Costa, 34, waged a fierce battle with the 7-time champion Bastos, 33, throughout the 26.2 mile race through Disney's four theme parks - Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios - before pulling away at the end. Costa crossed the finish line in 2 hours, 19 minutes, 1 second - just 14 seconds ahead of Bastos (2:19:15), who had won six Disney Marathons in a row before Costa's back-to-back feat.



Renee High of Virginia Beach, Va. was the first woman to cross the marathon finish line. High, 30, who is scheduled to run at the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials next week in Houston, completed the race Sunday in 2:48:33 just ahead of Emily Kroshus (2:53:11) of Canada and Christa Stephens (2:55:10) of St. Petersburg, Fla.



Costa and Bastos ran virtually shoulder-to-shoulder through much of the race. But with about two miles to go, Costa inched ahead slightly and maintained that slim lead until the end to become the first person other than Bastos to win back-to-back Disney Marathon titles since Brazil's Santiago de Araujo did it in 1998 and 1999. Costa's time was even quicker than a year ago when he won in 2:21:15. Matt Hensley of Port St. Lucie, Fla. was third (2:23:11).



"I think a victory is a victory and they are always very special,'' Costa said through an interpreter. "But I think this was such a difficult time overcoming some things for me. I've been through so many things that this race was very, very special to me.''



Douglas Morton of Sebring, Fla. won the men's Masters Division (runners age 40 and over) in 2:35:52, while Terri Rejimbal of Tampa won the women's Masters Division (3:09:33). In the wheelchair division, Krige Schabort of Cedartown, Ga. (1:46:16) won for the fourth straight year.

On Saturday, Jose De Morais of Brazil won the 13.1-mile Disney Half Marathon in 1:10:12 and Rosa Chacha of Ecuador was the top woman finisher, posting a time of 1:16:43 at the 15th edition.



In all, runners from all 50 states and 60 other countries took part in a variety of Disney Marathon Weekend events, such as the Family Fiesta 5K, Kids Races and the Disney Half-Marathon in addition to the Disney Marathon. And once again more than 6,500 runners put themselves to the ultimate test - Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge - by running the half-marathon on Saturday and the marathon on Sunday.



Registration for the 2013 Disney Marathon Weekend opens this spring. To register or for more information on all runDisney events, visit rundisney.com.



19th Walt Disney World Marathon
Lake Buena Vista, FL, Sunday, January 8, 2012



MEN
1) Fredison Costa (BRA), 2:19:01
2) Adriano Bastos (BRA), 2:19:15
3) Matt Hensley (FL), 2:23:11



WOMEN
1) Renee High (VA), 2:48:33
2) Emily Kroshus (CAN), 2:53:11
3) Christa Stephens (FL), 2:55:10



Full results and more at: www.disneyworldmarathon.com







Contact Information


Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Director, ryan@runningusa.org, (805) 696-6232




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