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In this edition:
Honda LA Marathon Adds Inaugural Relay for 2012 Event
Kaiser Permanente Napa Valley Marathon Entrant Profile Stories
New Era for CARA: New Leadership, New Brand, New Vision
Inaugural Eat. Run. Hope. 5K Set for April 1
UPCOMING EVENTS
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House of Hope Run Around the Pines 5K, Winter Park, FL, February 18
The Big Chill Run, Pewaukee, WI, February 18
Snowman Stampede 5 & 10 Milers, Littleton, CO, Feb 18
Ft. Lauderdale A1A Marathon & Half, FL, February 19
LIVESTRONG Austin Marathon & Half-Marathon, TX, February 19
IMS Arizona Marathon, Glendale, AZ, February 19
Inaugural Rock 'n' Roll Pasadena Half-Marathon, CA, Feb 19
Ragnar Relay Del Sol, Prescott-Tempe, AZ, February 24
15th World's Best 10K, San Juan, PUR, February 25
Russell Forest Run, Alexander City, AL, February 25
Cowtown Marathon Weekend, Fort Worth, TX, February 25-26
Disney's Princess Half-Marathon, Lake Buena Vista, FL, Feb 26
Finish Chelsea's Run 5K, San Diego, CA, March 3
Little Rock Marathon Weekend, Little Rock, AR, March 3-4
Orange Blossom Half-Marathon & 5K, Tavares, FL, March 4
USA 50K Road Championships, Caumsett SP, NY, March 4
13.1 Miami Beach, Miami, FL, March 4
That Dam Run Half-Marathon & 5K, Denver, CO, March 4
Kaiser Permanente Napa Valley Marathon, Napa, CA, March 4
Honda LA Marathon Adds Inaugural Relay for 2012 Event
Two-member teams run 13.1 miles for charity; start at Dodger Stadium or finish on Ocean Avenue
LOS ANGELES - (February 14, 2012) - With the Honda LA Marathon fast approaching, interest is running high for a brand-new event: the marathon relay. For the first time ever, two runners can join together in support of their favorite charity, with one person running the first half of the marathon course and the other completing it. Already, hundreds of teams are signing up for what promises to be one of the more memorable ways to experience the iconic Stadium to the Sea race course on Sunday, March 18th.
Many of those running have compelling stories - like Ledys Lopez. Two years ago, Lopez triumphed over adult obesity by training for her first marathon. This year, she will undertake the relay with Hollywood High School student Alex Yarza, who once suffered from childhood obesity and now speaks to elementary school students to encourage them to get in shape and stay healthy.
"Training for the 2010 Honda LA Marathon allowed me to focus on my health, improved my self-esteem, and has given me an incredible sense of empowerment," Lopez said. "I am passionate about educating and encouraging young people like Alex to establish healthy habits that will last them a lifetime. And I'm proud to be running for an organization like SOS Mentor that does this work every day."
SOS Mentor and many other charities are participating in the relay, giving interested runners plenty of good causes from which to choose. A list of participating charities is available at www.lamarathon.com.
"With nearly five weeks left until the marathon, there is still time for recreational runners to increase their training and participate in the relay," said LA MARATHON LLC Chief Operating Officer Nick Curl. "The marathon relay will open the Honda LA Marathon to a wider group of people who want to challenge themselves and raise money for some very worthwhile causes."
Each relay runner will register and raise money for one of the Honda LA Marathon's official charities, found online at www.lamarathon.com/charities/2-person-marathon. The combined entry fee of $250 covers both members of the team, and fundraising minimums will depend on individual charity requirements. Each partner will receive a specially designed relay medal when they finish.
Taking their place at the starting line with other participants in the 2012 Honda LA Marathon, the first team member will begin at Dodger Stadium and continue through Chinatown, Little Tokyo, Echo Park and Silver Lake, passing landmarks including the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the Pantages Theatre, and Grauman's Chinese Theatre. The relay hand-off is located on Sunset Boulevard, just before the Sunset Strip, giving the second runner a scenic route toward Rodeo Drive, through the federal VA property, onto San Vicente Boulevard toward the finish on Ocean Avenue, just steps from the Santa Monica Pier.
"For those who always dreamed of running right down the middle of the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Sunset Strip and Rodeo Drive, but couldn't commit to training for and running the full 26.2 miles, this is a perfect opportunity to experience our world class Stadium to the Sea course," Curl said. "We encourage runners to find a teammate, contact one of our great charities and make history with us in 2012."
Visit LAmarathon.com for more information on the 27th edition.
Kaiser Permanente Napa Valley Marathon Entrant Profile Stories
Sold-out 34th edition appeals to wide range of runners for springtime 26.2 mile road race
NAPA, Calif. - (February 10, 2012) - The 34th Kaiser Permanente Napa Valley Marathon, scheduled for Sunday, March 4, filled its entrant field of 2,500 participants last December 31, a full 64 days before race day. The milestone matched the record-breaking closing date achieved by last year's race.
Why has the Napa Valley Marathon (NVM) attracted a capacity field every year for more than a decade? This year's entrants, who hail from 10 countries, 48 states and Washington, DC, were asked to state their personal stories about running and their desire to participate in NVM. These stories mirror the annual participant data gathered by Running USA, a non-profit organization created in 1999 to serve the running industry.
According to the organization's most recent annual report on marathons, in 2010 there were an estimated 507,000 finishers in U.S. marathons, a record, and an 8.6 percent increase from 2009. Across the country, the majority of large marathons reported sold-out or record fields. Running USA's polls show that this historic growth is a result of training programs (charity and non-charity), the challenge of 26.2 miles, bucket list appeal, increased women's participation and fun, well-organized community events.
Last month, Forbes Travel Guide rated NVM among the top ten marathons in the world "worth traveling for." Runner's World magazine selected NVM as one of the top ten U.S. marathons for first-time marathon participants in its January, 2011 issue. Historically, a remarkable 30 percent of NVM's 2,500 entrants are first-time marathoners. NVM's fast, point-to-point, USA Track & Field certified (for accurate distance) marathon course through the scenic Napa Valley has attracted numerous devotees.
NVM ENTRANT PROFILE STORIES
The Kaiser Permanente Napa Valley Marathon asks each marathon registrant to submit a short "interesting story" about their reasons for running the 26.2-mile race. Below are a few selections. A complete list is available at: www.napavalleymarathon.org/helpful-info/press-room.asp
Olga Stavro, 51, of Bellflower, Calif. will run the 2012 NVM, the tenth marathon of her running career, in honor of her twin brother, Marco Favilli. Stavro says that she has always enjoyed running for various reasons-to lose weight and just to say I ran a marathon. Ten years ago, however, her motivations for participating in the sport changed dramatically. That's when Marco was diagnosed with a rare disease for which there is no cure: familial (hereditary) amyloidosis. The affliction often affects nerves and body organs and can cause excruciating nerve pain, loss of motor control, eventual quadriplegia, and/or sudden cardiac death. Olga's and Marco's mother died at the age of 68 after eight years battling the disease.
"I know my brother wishes he could run if he could, and that always gets me out the door and running," Stavro said. "When I emailed him to ask if I could [run NVM] for him he wrote back I want you to carry me in your thoughts while you run...and know that, if I could, I would be there alongside and running with you.
"I've been praying for a miracle, a cure, something that will take his daily pain away, and I'm hopeful that my prayer will be answered."
Tony Rossmann, a 70-year-old, San Francisco-based attorney who lives in Oakland, Calif., will hang up his marathon shoes after participating in 30 NVMs since 1981. Rossmann estimates that he has 275 to 300 marathons and ultramarathons on his extensive running resume.
"Napa remains my favorite marathon," said Rossmann, who has qualified for the Boston Marathon numerous times at NVM, and has served as President of the famed Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run. "Above all, the Napa Valley Marathon means the great community that the race organization has created for the event over the years. In a bid to finish my marathoning career on my own terms, Napa couldn't be a better place to do it."
Twelve years ago, NVM entrant Todd Moore (45, Campbell, Calif.) was diagnosed with a rare type of stage four (IV) non-Hodgkin's lymphoma that has a very high recurrence rate. He hooked up with Team in Training about five years ago to improve his health, have a better chance of defeating his cancer, and being healthy enough to handle further treatment if it recurs. Since then, Moore has completed 14 marathons, including three NVMs.
"My favorite marathon is still Napa. Running through the vineyards, the relatively small field of runners, and the very personal way the event is run makes it a cozy experience," Moore said. "I'm looking forward to my fourth Napa Valley Marathon."
U.S. Army pilots Cassandra Perkins (26, Colorado Springs, Colo.) and Ty Huffman (30, Orlando, Fla.), and Army Physician Assistant Chris Mercer (39, Carolina Beach, N.C.) have trained together for the NVM in Tarin Kowt, Afghanistan during a one-year deployment. Now, they will return to the States and head to Napa for their first marathon.
"We chose the Napa Valley Marathon because the area looks gorgeous and none of us have ever been there before," Perkins said. "The wine tasting won't be bad either."
For more information about the Kaiser Permanente Napa Valley Marathon, go to: www.napavalleymarathon.org
New Era for CARA: New Leadership, New Brand, New Vision
The Chicago Area Runners Association announces leadership transition with new Board President and President-Elect; new CARA logo also unveiled
CHICAGO - (February 13, 2012) - The Chicago Area Runners Association (CARA) sprints into the new year with a change in the leadership of the organization. CARA welcomed the recent appointments of Chris Wehrman as its new Board of Directors President and Gordon Kane as President-Elect and with Wendy Jaehn just entering into her second year as CARA's Executive Director.
"CARA promotes a supportive and safe running environment that encourages runners to perform at the best of their ability, while they enjoy the camaraderie of this healthy activity," says Chris Wehrman. "I'm honored to have the opportunity to serve as CARA's Board President for the next two years. We have some exciting things in store for our runners and I look forward to working with the board, staff and volunteers to achieve the organization's mission."
Wehrman's involvement in the running community dates back when he was an All-Big Ten Conference runner in cross country and track at Michigan State University, where he received his undergraduate, graduate and law degrees. Now retired from competition, he qualified for the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials in 2004 and 2008. Wehrman also has a marathon personal record of 2:17:50 and has been named CARA "Runner of the Year" three times.
"I have seen firsthand how CARA can help all runners - from beginners to Boston qualifiers. I am enthusiastic to work with Wendy and Chris to help all our members go farther, faster, better for life," exclaims Gordon Kane.
Gordon Kane did not complete his first marathon until after he turned 40. Now, he has completed 12 marathons, including qualifying and running in three Boston marathons. Gordon owns a sports marketing agency (Victory Sports Marketing) that helps corporations maximize their investments in sports. He lives in Kenilworth with his wife and son, and has a daughter currently attending SMU in Dallas.
"Chris, Gordon and I share a common vision for the future of CARA," states Wendy Jaehn. "Together and with the help of our dedicated membership and partners, there is no limit to what CARA can be."
Wendy came to CARA from the Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance where she was the President and Executive Director. During her nine year tenure, she successfully deployed winning strategies, operations and deployment programs, and policy initiatives. A proven relationship builder, Jaehn grew her staff from nine to over 20 in the last five years, while overseeing a program budget growth from $500,000 to over $7.8 million.
In addition to holding a master's degree in Non-Profit Management from the Kellogg School of Management, Jaehn began running at the age of ten, ran competitively at Cornell University and is a longtime member of CARA. Since her tenure began at CARA, Jaehn ran her first marathon where she qualified for the Boston Marathon with a time of 3:16 which she will be running this April. She has improved her half-marathon time by over 6 minutes and has a personal record of 1:26.
Also new on the horizon, CARA recently announced the transformation of its identity with the launch of its new logo. The new brand was created to reflect the "new era of CARA." As Chicagoland's premier nonprofit running association, CARA makes running better by providing training programs for runners of all levels and helping runners attain their performance goals. CARA sets the standard of excellence in road racing. The organization advocates for all runners, to maintain and improve a beautiful, safe, healthy running environment.
"I am excited to unveil the new logo. I am proud of the work we did to create a strong and recognizable visual interpretation of CARA and cannot wait to show off the logo on some new running paraphernalia," states Wehrman.
CARA's new logo consists of a shield which contains four lines whose curvatures signify a road on the horizon (rural) as well as a more familiar street or running path (urban). The four lines also represent CARA's four distinctive pillars: Membership, Training, Advocacy and Racing.
"While CARA is known for our training programs and race certification, my goal is to increase the awareness of all of the advocacy efforts we have done and will continue to do," states Jaehn. "The shield on the new logo also symbolizes that CARA is here to protect and serve the running community."
CARA's new brand identity will be reflected on the website, CARA running apparel and marketing materials.
CARA is the largest non-profit running organization in the Midwest and the third largest in the nation with more than 8,500 members. The Association is a complete source for recreational running and racing in the Chicagoland area. CARA delivers high-quality races and race circuits. CARA will be moving towards a "green initiative" standard with their races and for certified races in the near future.
With a strong presence in the running community, CARA's new brand makes a bold statement as being a leading authority in running.
About CARA
CARA is a non-profit organization devoted to expanding, motivating, supporting and celebrating the running community of Chicagoland. CARA connects runners to resources that enable them to run-farther, faster, better for life. For more information, visit www.cararuns.org or call (312)-666-9836.
Inaugural Eat. Run. Hope. 5K Set for April 1
Seattle event to benefit Fetal Hope Foundation
SEATTLE - (February 8, 2012) - Eat. Run. Hope., a new event featuring a 5K and culinary tasting event, will take place at Seward Park on Sunday, April 1, 2012. Presenting sponsors, Ethan Stowell Restaurants and Eastside Maternal Fetal Medicine, will host a 5K run / walk and Kids Fun Run followed by a Family Festival and unique Chef's Tent food event.
The 5K portion of the day begins with registration and packet pick up at 9:45am. The 5K will start at 11:00am. The Chef's Tent will be open from 11:45am to 3:00pm, and offer a variety of eating options as well as a beer and wine garden. Eat and Run cost is $95. Eat only is $70. Run only is $35. To register online, find out where to pick up packets, and all the details, visit www.eatrunhope.com.
Ethan Stowell, a celebrated Seattle chef and restaurateur, has rounded up a number of his talented chef friends to take part in the festivities. Some of them will even be running in a bacon relay! Participating chefs include: Renee Erickson of The Walrus and the Carpenter, Miles James of Dot's Delicatessen, Tyler Moritz of Le Bête, Jason Franey of Canlis, Ericka Burke of Volunteer Park Cafe, Craig Hetherington of Taste at SAM, Daisley Gordon of Marché, Maria Hines of Golden Beetle, Jason Stoneburner of Bastille Café & Bar, Tamara Murphy of Terra Plata, Rachel Yang of Revel, Stowell of Ethan Stowell Restaurants and pizza provided by Via Tribunali.
This past summer, chef Ethan and his wife Angela, lost their twin sons, Nathanael & Gabriel, to Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome, a deadly intrauterine disease that affects 1 in 7 multiple births where a placenta is shared.
"We wanted to do something in memory of the boys that could have a positive effect on other families and also raise awareness of how very common fetal diseases and stillbirth really are," says chef Stowell.
"We are very thankful for the love and support we've received from our families and the community and just wanted a way to give back," adds Mrs. Stowell. "We are immensely thankful for our friends and colleagues who are sponsoring the event and donating their time to such an important cause."
All proceeds from Eat. Run. Hope. benefit the Fetal Hope Foundation, a national non-profit that serves as a liaison between families affected by fetal syndromes and the medical teams providing care. The Foundation provides support and information, funds research, increases awareness, and serves as an outlet for leading medical information pertaining to fetal syndromes. Since inception, Fetal Hope has provided information for and counseled thousands through its online repository and forums, and has directly supported more than 300 families with Travel Grants when immediate and life-saving treatment was necessary. To learn more, go to: www.fetalhope.org
Contact Information
Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Director, ryan@runningusa.org, (805) 696-6232
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