Running USA advances the growth and success of the running industry in America.
Partners: Active Network, Ashworth Awards, Competitor Group, Leslie Jordan, Inc. and MarathonFoto help make this wire possible.
In this edition:
Running USA 2012: The Industry Conference Recap
Competitor Group Signs MarathonFoto as Exclusive Event Photographer
Ethiopians Break All Four Course Records at Houston Marathon Weekend
Rose Bowl Half Marathon Event Participants to Finish on 50-Yard Line
UPCOMING EVENTS
Join Running USA today and have your event listed here, as well as on www.RunningUSA.org
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
Dick Batchelor 5K, Orlando, FL, January 28
10th The Texas Half, Dallas, TX, January 28
Inaugural Tinkerbell Half-Marathon, Anaheim, CA, January 29
10th ING Miami Marathon & Half Marathon, Miami, FL, Jan 29
Great Lakes Expo Run, Franklin, WI, January 29
Miracle Match Marathon, Waco, TX, January 29
Frost Giant 5K & 10K, Estes Park, CO, January 29
Running USA 2012: The Industry Conference Recap
Record conference attendance; annual awards and more in Houston; Running USA 2013 headed to Savannah, Georgia
HOUSTON - (January 17, 2012) - Running USA 2012: The Industry Conference, held at the Hyatt Regency Houston from January 15-17, set a record with 468 attendees in the Bayou City. The largest and signature running industry conference featured something for everybody from Idea Labs and round table sessions, keynote speakers such as Kevin Carroll and Shellie Pfohl, the Running Rocks Youth Assembly, fun social events and morning runs as well as networking opportunities.
"With new records in attendance and expo exhibitors, our 9th edition had an entertaining Hall of Champions dinner and auction, the induction of running icon Joan Benoit Samuelson and the Mammoth Track Club receiving the third Allan Steinfeld Development Award. This was simply our best conference ever!" said Susan Weeks, Running USA CEO. "We especially thank our Running USA 2012 sponsors, attendees and exhibitors for helping make this conference so special."
CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS
The Sunday evening Running USA Hall of Champions Dinner and Live Auction presented by Competitor Group inducted the ninth class of Running USA Hall of Champions who was recognized and celebrated for her contribution and dedication to the sport:
* Joan Benoit Samuelson (Freeport, ME), Olympic champion / record setter / race founder / legend / ambassador
The Mammoth Track Club was also announced as the third Allan Steinfeld Development Award winner during the Hall of Champions dinner, and the conference's silent and live auctions raised more than $56,000 for the Mammoth Lakes, California-based training group and other Running USA programs.
At Monday's Ashworth Youth Awards Luncheon, the speaker was Shellie Pfohl, Executive Director of the President's Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition (PCFSN), who addressed the overwhelming importance of getting and keeping America and her youth active.
During the luncheon, Running USA Youth Awards sponsored by YouthRunner.com were presented to:
Youth Event of the Year
The Cowtown Kid's 5K, Fort Worth, TX
Youth Program of the Year
Students Run LA, Los Angeles, CA
Youth Program Contributor of the Year
Kerry Vargo, Kids Run America, Denver, CO
In addition, after lunch, there was the Running Rocks Youth Assembly led by Kevin Carroll, our dynamic keynote speaker. Carroll was joined in this engaging, interactive session by Carl Lewis, 9-time Olympic champion and former Houston resident, and 150 future runners of Houston. Carroll's talent for inspiration and collaboration and Lewis' story of becoming an Olympic legend helped the audience think about how to inspire young runners in our communities and "What Moves You?"
On Tuesday at the Trailblazer Luncheon presented by Active Network, Nancy Hobbs, long-time USA Mountain and Trail Running Leader (American Trail Running Association founder and executive director, USATF MUT chair and World Mountain Running Association council) and Running USA Membership Director, was presented the 8th Women's Trailblazer Award for her contributions to the sport.
Earlier, on Sunday, Running USA's Board of Directors elected the following officers to two-year terms: president, Virginia Brophy Achman (Twin Cities In Motion); vice president, Beth Salinger (Hospital Hill Run); treasurer, Lonnie Somers (Fetal Hope Foundation) and secretary, Jeff Matlow (imATHLETE). Allan Steinfeld (New York Road Runners) is president emeritus.
Running USA 2012 was presented by the Active Network, Ashworth Awards, Competitor Group, Leslie Jordan, Inc. and MarathonFoto.
Running USA 2013 - set for February 24-26 - will be held in Savannah, Georgia, and 2013 registration will open soon.
For more information on Running USA, its objectives, members and annual conference, visit RunningUSA.org or contact Ryan Lamppa at (805) 696-6232 or ryan@runningusa.org
Competitor Group Signs MarathonFoto as Exclusive Event Photographer
The leader in active lifestyle media, marketing and event management to partner with the world's largest event photography company
SAN DIEGO, Calif. and FAIRFIELD, Iowa - (January 16, 2012) - Competitor Group, Inc. (CGI) of San Diego, California and MarathonFoto of Fairfield, Iowa have announced an exclusive partnership to provide participants in all world-wide events organized by CGI with images taken by MarathonFoto.
CGI and MarathonFoto share common goals: to grow and promote endurance sports, and to provide all event participants with the best possible experience before, during and after all events, including opportunities for participants to share and retain image memories from their participation in their event.
"We are proud to partner with MarathonFoto and their successful track record of advancing the sport and promoting the running industry through their excellent photography," said Scott Dickey, President of CGI. "As a runner, sharing your experiences and memories is an important part of the event experience. We look forward to working with MarathonFoto to present our participants with the best images, products and services available."
The new agreement brings together two of the most trust names in the industry. CGI organizes more than 55 events worldwide including the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Series, Land Rover TriRock Triathlong Series and the Columbia Muddy Buddy Series. MarathonFoto takes photos at more than 200 events annually and provides 25,000,000-plus images to over 2 million participants annually.
"We are pleased to be able to expand our impact on the endurance photography market by working directly with Competitor Group," said Bruce Franke, President of MarathonFoto. "We share the same values to go the extra mile to provide each and every participant with the best possible event experience. We are committed to supporting the growth of CGI and the impact they are having on the running industry in our nation by bringing our proven methods to capture the maximum number of high quality, unique images for each participant at all of their events. We look forward to helping CGI continue its growth and development well into the future."
About Competitor Group
Headquartered in San Diego, Calif., Competitor Group, Inc. (CGI) is the leading active lifestyle resource dedicated to promoting the sports of running, cycling and triathlon. CGI is a portfolio company of the investment firm Falconhead Capital, which specializes in growing companies in the consumer sector of the leisure and lifestyle space. CGI owns and operates more than 55 events around the world, including the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Series, Land Rover TriRock Triathlon Series and Columbia Muddy Buddy Series; which will deliver more than 600,000 professional and amateur participants in 2012. CGI publishes four magazine titles including Velo, Inside Triathlon, Triathlete and Competitor with a combined monthly circulation of 600,000. In addition, the company hosts a captive lifestyle community online at competitor.com, delivering over 3 million monthly unique visitors and 25 million page views. CGI recently acquired and soft launched Race It Race Services, an online registration platform that provides marketing, product and other essential race services for endurance industry events of all sizes. Further information about CGI and its media properties can be found at Competitormediakit.com.
About MarathonFoto
MarathonFoto located in Fairfield, IA 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 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.
MarathonFoto information is available at: www.marathonfoto.com
Ethiopians Break All Four Course Records at Houston Marathon Weekend
An event record 20,000 finishers in all three races at 40th edition By Jennifer Carmouche
HOUSTON - (January 15, 2012) - It was an Ethiopian sweep of the medal stands - and the record books - at the Chevron Houston Marathon and the Aramco Houston Half Marathon on Sunday, as all four winners erased the course and State records.
"Today was the perfect way to culminate the most significant road racing weekend ever in Houston," stated Wade Morehead, executive director of the Houston Marathon Committee. "Houston was on a national stage on both race days, and our supporters city-wide delivered at every level. We are truly grateful to the community."
Sunny skies and ideal conditions, with a temperature of 52 degrees F at the start, set the stage for the historic day, as the Chevron Houston Marathon celebrated its 40th anniversary not only with an onslaught on the record books, but a record 20,000 finishers in the event's three races.
"The 40th anniversary is a significant milestone," said Brant Kotch, president and race director of the Houston Marathon Committee. "When you think of how far we've come, from 113 runners in Memorial Park to more than 20,000 participants in three races spanning the city, anything is possible."
In the marathon, it was 27-year-old Tariku Jufar winning the men's race in 2 hours, 6 minutes, 51 seconds, bettering the mark of 2:07:04 set just last year by countryman Bekana Daba, and 26-year-old Alemitu Abera triumphing in 2:23:14 to take down the 2010 record set by Teyba Erkesso. Both will take home $35,000 for their victories, plus a $10,000 bonus for breaking the course records.
It was the sixth consecutive year that an Ethiopian woman took the marathon crown here, and the fourth year in a row for the men.
In the men's race, a pack of four, including Tariku and fellow Ethiopians Demessew Tsega and Debebe Tolossa and Kenya's Festus Langat, went through 10K together in 29:54, and when they all hit the halfway point together in 1:03:08 it was obvious that the course record was in jeopardy.
Langat soon fell back, leaving the three Ethiopians to battle for the podium spots. By 35K, Tsega was being left behind, and moments later Jufar made a huge move. Tolossa fought back gamely, but Jufar broke away and ran alone to the finish. Tolossa followed in 2:07:41, a personal record by more than two minutes.
"I was very much encouraged by the people on the side of the street," said Jufar, who demolished his previous PR of 2:08:10, set in 2008. A year later, he was badly injured when he was struck by a car while training in Addis Ababa, missing about nine months of competition but, if Sunday is any indication, he has fully recovered.
The women's race was a runaway, with Abera taking it out from the gun, building up a 16-second lead by 5K that steadily grew to more than three minutes at the half over Ethiopia's Yihunlish Delelecha, who by then had been joined by Australia's Benita Willis. In the end, Willis would pull away for second in 2:28:24, a time that almost guarantees that she will be selected to Australia's 2012 Olympic squad. The 32-year-old Willis, a three-time Olympian who trains in Boulder, CO, had not run a marathon since the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.
In the Aramco Houston Half Marathon, Feyisa Lelisa and Belaynesh Oljira broke course records held by a couple of familiar names: Lelisa's 59:22 broke the mark set by American Ryan Hall (59:43) in 2007, while Oljira's winning time of 1:08:26 shattered the mark set by American Shalane Flanagan (1:09:41). Hall and Flanagan on Saturday both earned spots on the U.S. Olympic Marathon team for 2012, with Flanagan winning the women's Olympic Marathon Trials and Hall was runner-up in the men's.
Lelisa and Oljira each earned $10,000, plus a bonus of $7500 for the record.
The 21-year-old Lelisa, who won the bronze medal last summer in the 2011 IAAF World Championships marathon, was a late entrant, but had little trouble handling the field. Countryman Tilahun Regassa was runner-up, in 1:01:28, with American Scott Bauhs on his heels in a personal record 1:01:30. In fourth was Luke Puskedra in 1:01:36, a senior at the University of Oregon who was making his half-marathon debut.
The women's race was another matter. Oljira and Kenya's Caroline Kilel, winner of the 2011 Boston Marathon, ran shoulder-to-shoulder right to the end, with the 21-year-old Oljira, running her first race in the United States, using her 10,000-meter speed to win in a sprint.
"Right from the beginning I was following her and I knew, and I prepared in my mind, that I have to sprint very fast at the last 100 meters or so," Oljira said.
Joan Benoit Samuelson, 1984 Olympic gold medalist in the marathon, finished in 1:38:03.
40th Chevron Houston Marathon
Sunday, January 15, 2012
MEN
1) Tariku Jufar (ETH), 2:06:51*, $45,000
2) Debebe Tolossa (ETH), 2:07:41, $17,000
3) Demssew Tsega (ETH), 2:11:13, $7000
4) Shawn Forrest (AUS), 2:14:37, $4000
5) Leonardo Camargo (MEX), 2:18:10, $2000
6) Simon Bairu (CAN), 2:19:52
*Course and State record (previous record, 2:07:04, Bekana Daba (ETH), 2011)
WOMEN
1) Alemitu Abera (ETH), 2:23:14*, $45,000
2) Benita Willis (AUS), 2:28:24, $17,000
3) Yihunlish Delelecha (ETH), 2:31:19, $7000
4) Ava Hutchinson (GBR), 2:35:33, $4000
5) Zsofia Erdelyi (HUN), 2:36:56, $2000
6) Nuta Olaru, 41, USA / CO, 2:37:37
*Course and State record (previous record, 2:23:53, Teyiba Erkesso (ETH), 2010)
11th Aramco Half-Marathon
MEN
1) Feyisa Lilesa (ETH), 59:22*, $17,500
2) Tilahun Regassa (ETH), 1:01:28, $6000
3) Scott Bauhs (USA / CA), 1:01:30, $4000
4) Luke Puskedra (USA / OR), 1:01:36, $2000
5) Jonathan Grey (USA / MN), 1:02:25, $1000
6) Scott Smith (USA / AZ), 1:03:18
7) Matthew Llano (USA / MN), 1:03:26
*Course and State record (previous record, 59:43, Ryan Hall (USA), 2007)
WOMEN
1) Belaynesh Oljira (ETH), 1:08:26*, $17,500
2) Caroline Kilel (KEN), 1:08:28, $6000
3) Belainesh Gebre (ETH), 1:08:51, $4000
4) Hellen Jemutai (KEN), 1:12:06, $2000
5) Kebebush Haile (ETH), 1:13:02, $1000
6) Kellyn Johnson (USA / AZ), 1:13:11
7) Trina Painter, 45, USA / AZ, 1:16:38, $1000
*Course and State record (previous record, 1:09:41, Shalane Flanagan (USA), 2010)
For complete results and more, go to: houstonmarathon.com
Rose Bowl Half Marathon Event Participants to Finish on 50-Yard Line
More than 1,500 expected at annual Pasadena event
PASADENA, Calif. - On Sunday, January 22, 2012, more than 1,500 Rose Bowl Half Marathon, 10K, 5K and 1K Kids Run participants from across the country will make their way to Pasadena for an opportunity few ever get to experience, finishing on the field at the 50-yard line of the iconic Rose Bowl Stadium. Runners of all ages and abilities as well as walkers will take part in this annual event.
Jack Caress, President of Pacific Sports LLC, says of the event, "You will not find many runners who would pass on the opportunity to finish on the field of the most famous stadium in sports. The Rose Bowl Half Marathon provides that opportunity along with several distances for everyone."
Athletes will embark from the famous stadium for a tour of the hills surrounding the Rose Bowl. The half-marathon race begins at 8:00am and ventures out over 13.1 beautifully, scenic miles of local roads and trails including, the trails of Arroyo Seco and upper Hahamonga surrounding Devils Gate Reservoir.
In keeping with tradition, the event will offer a competitive 5K and 10K course that travels its way around neighboring Brookside Golf Course, and finishes on the field inside the stadium. The untimed 1K Kids Run lets the little ones experience the thrill of running on one of the most beautiful, natural grass fields in the country and is a great way to involve the whole family.
Post-race, all runners are encouraged to check out our Finish Area on the Court of Champions, which includes event sponsors and exhibitors. Participants 21 years and older will be able to celebrate in the Miller-Coors Beer Garden adjacent to the Finish Area and all attendees regardless of age can enjoy great music from 97.1 AMP Radio.
For more information or for entry information visit: www.PacificSportsLLC.com or call (714) 978-1528.
Contact Information
Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Director, ryan@runningusa.org, (805) 696-6232
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