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In this edition:
Friedman, Franks First at Rock 'n' Roll New Orleans Marathon
Mocko, Crosby-Helms Win Kaiser Permanente Napa Valley Marathon Again
Caroline Rotich to Defend NYC Half Title
Brooks Inspiring Coaches Program to Honor the Best
UPCOMING EVENTS
Join Running USA today and have your event listed here, as well as on www.RunningUSA.org
35th Gate River Run, Jacksonville, FL, March 10
USA 15K Championships
Smile Mile, Blue Jacket Park, FL, March 10
Irish for a Day 5K & TC 10 Mile, Minneapolis, MN, March 10
35th Bayou City Classic 10K, Houston, TX, March 10
Westport St. Patrick's Day Run, Kansas City, MO, March 10
35th Catalina Island Conservancy Marathon, Avalon, CA, March 10
First Watch Sarasota Half-Marathon, Sarasota, FL, March 11
Runnin' of the Green, Denver, CO, March 11
Inaugural San Jose 408K, San Jose, CA, March 11
SunTrust Rock 'n' Roll USA Marathon, Washington, DC, March 17
CareFirst Rock 'n' Roll USA 1/2 Marathon, Washington, DC, March 17
Irish Sprint 10K, Quantico, VA, March 17
Yuengling Shamrock Towne Bank 8K, Virginia Beach, VA, March 17
St. Patrick's Irish Traditions 5K, St. Paul, MN, March 17
Luck of the Irish Run, Hartland, WI, March 17
Canyonlands Half-Marathon, Moab, UT, March 17
Honda LA Marathon & LA Big 5K, Los Angeles, CA, March 17-18
Friedman, Franks First at Rock 'n' Roll New Orleans Marathon
Biwott, Trana win ½ marathon; sold-out 3rd edition welcomes 22,000-plus under perfect running conditions
By Amana Miyamae, Competitor Group
NEW ORLEANS, La. - (March 4, 2012) - Among the more than 22,000 runners in the 3rd Rock 'n' Roll New Orleans Marathon & ½ Marathon benefiting the American Cancer Society, it was former University of Oregon standout Shadrack Biwott who stood out amongst the crowd on Sunday morning.
Running solo along historic St. Charles Avenue, the 27-year-old Biwott was losing steam in the men's half marathon. He had maintained a dominant lead since the start, but had no one to push him for much of the race.
As he reversed direction on St. Charles Avenue, the other side of the street was lined with thousands of runners who spotted Biwott and began to cheer loudly for him--cheering that would continue for well over a mile.
"That was amazing," Biwott said of the support he received from other runners on the course. "I want to thank those guys so much and Rock 'n' Roll for bringing me. It was just a great event. Those guys made a big difference. Hearing people cheering gave me some fire."
Biwott would win the half-marathon handily in 1 hour, 4 minutes and 23 seconds, way ahead of Costa Rican Jose Chaves, who crossed the finish line in 1:08:03. The Kenyan-born Biwott, who placed third here in 2010 behind countrymen Martin Lel and the late Sammy Wanjiru, will next run the NYC Half Marathon on March 18. Today's win was exactly what he was hoping for in preparation for that race.
"I just tried to have fun and run a decent time," he said. "Nothing crazy, just tried to control it which was my goal and I think that's what I did today."
Costa Rican native Gabriela Trana won the women's half-marathon in 1:16:32, beating out local Sarah Skotty, who finished in 1:17:25. Trana's time was a PR and beat her own national record.
"I am so happy because this is my best time," she said. "The race was so, so amazing. People give a lot of support during the race and it gives you energy. It's so flat and the weather today was so wonderful really."
In the marathon, Louisiana native Meyer Friedman won in 2:27:02 after placing in the top-three each of the past two years. Friedman had also won the race four times in previous years when it was known as the Mardi Gras Marathon. Now living in San Diego, he is recovering from a herniated disc and said the win came with a slower time than he'd hoped. Nonetheless, he was excited to win in his hometown.
"It definitely adds to the excitement of coming back here. I'm familiar with the roads and recognized a number of people on the course, so it great to be back," Friedman said. "The Uptown area, obviously, is quite familiar to me and I've run thousands of miles on St. Charles and the adjoining roads."
Mississippi's Meggan Franks struggled in the latter half of the women's marathon when stomach issues slowed her down. Despite the discomfort, however, her third marathon ever turned into her second win, as she crossed the finish line in 2:49:06.
"There are lulls in marathons, like peaks and valleys, and if you can overcome a lull, you start to feel better," she said. "I think I overtrained, so I slowed the second half. The bands really helped and the crowds really help when your mind is starting to play games on you. At miles 21 to 26 I was looking for support anywhere I could find it."
The 3rd Rock 'n' Roll New Orleans Marathon & ½ Marathon featured a sold-out field and debuted a new start line in downtown New Orleans at Poydras Street. Local bands lined the new course, which toured through the French Quarter and along scenic Lake Ponchartrain before finishing in City Park.
The event benefits the American Cancer Society, with 114 members of Team DetermiNation raising more than $200,000 in the fight against cancer.
3rd Rock 'n' Roll New Orleans Marathon
New Orleans, LA, Sunday, March 4, 2012
MEN
1) Meyer Friedman, 32, San Diego, CA, 2:27:02, $1000
2) Robbie Wade, 29, San Antonio, TX, 2:33:03, $500
3) Jonathan Thomas, 24, Baton Rouge, LA, 2:35:13, $250
WOMEN
1) Meggan Franks, 28, Starkville, MS, 2:49:06, $1000
2) Liz Turner, 27, Albuquerque, NM, 2:52:56, $500
3) Charlotte Everhardt, 27, Metairie, LA, 2:53:37, $250
3rd Rock 'n' Roll New Orleans ½ Marathon
MEN
1) Shadrack Biwott (KEN), 27, Eugene, OR, 1:04:23, $1000
2) Jose Chavez, 31, Costa Rica, 1:08:03, $500
3) John Brigham, 26, Mobile, AL, 1:09:02, $250
WOMEN
1) Gabriela Trana, 32, Costa Rica, 1:16:32, $1000
2) Sarah Skotty, 28, New Orleans, LA, 1:17:25, $500
3) Kimberly Mantle, 31, New Orleans, LA, 1:20:03, $250
Complete results, photos and more at: http://runrocknroll.competitor.com/new-orleans
Mocko, Crosby-Helms Win Kaiser Permanente Napa Valley Marathon Again
Women's champion sets course record; sell-out of 2,500 in the marathon enjoy near ideal conditions at 34th edition
By Mark Winitz
NAPA, Calif. - (March 4, 2012) - On a calm bright morning, almost ideal for marathon running, Chris Mocko, 25, of San Francisco, and Devon Crosby-Helms, 29, also of San Francisco, emerged as victors at Sunday's 34th Kaiser Permanente Napa Valley Marathon. Mocko successfully defended his men's title from last year. Crosby-Helms scored her second win at the Napa Valley Marathon (NVM); she also won the 2007 race. A sell-out crowd of 2,500 marathon entrants raced through the scenic Napa Valley wine-growing region as colorful air balloons hovered overhead and mid-day temperature reached the middle-70s.
Mocko broke the finish line tape at Napa's Vintage High School in 2 hours, 24 minutes, and 38 seconds, an improvement of 2 minutes and 24 seconds over his 2011 winning time. Crosby-Helms ascended the winner's podium after recording a new women's course record of 2:39:37 just seven weeks after competing in the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials in Houston where she placed 36th among women. The previous women's course record of 2:39:43 at NVM was set by Diana Fitzpatrick in 1992.
The temperature at the 7:00am start was 39 degrees as Crosby-Helms took an immediate lead in the women's contest and never looked back. It was a satisfying effort for a woman who has built a running reputation on strong ultramarathons at distances from 50 kilometers to 100 miles. Crosby-Helms is now using marathons to set herself up for breakthrough performances at two challenging ultras in South Africa: the Two Oceans Marathon (56K / 34.8 miles) on April 7 and the Comrades Marathon (56 miles) on June 3.
"It's pretty cool because I've never set a course record in a major marathon before. In ultras it's less of a big deal," said Crosby-Helms who ran the fastest 100K time by a U.S. female in 2011 (7:46:34), and the 11th fastest ever, while recording a course record at the USA 100K Championship in Wisconsin. "But the women's course record at the Napa Valley Marathon has stood for [20 years]. I had that in mind from the start. When I was on 6-minute (per mile) pace, I felt like I had to go for it.
"I'm trying to learn how to race on the roads. Ultras are very different. It's, like, how comfortable can you be? In marathons, however, you try to get in that place where it hurts a little bit. So, I've been focusing on high-quality training sessions."
Tammy Lifka (Glenn Ellyn, Ill.), age 41, finished in second place behind Crosby-Helms in 2:56:33 and won the women's Masters (age 40 and over) title. Kristin Walstad (Alta, Calif.) was third in 2:58:14.
Among the men, Mocko and John Van Metre (San Jose, Calif.) broke away early and proceeded together over the rolling 26.2-mile, point-to-point marathon course that is certified (for distance) by USA Track & Field. The pair occasionally chatted as they went through the 13.1-mile halfway point in 1:11:36.
"We were out there trying to run similar times, so it made sense for us to run together," Mocko said. "There were moments when [Van Metre] was really pushing me. I hadn't intended to run that hard so early, but I knew I had to stick with him because we were out there running as a team."
At 14 miles, Mocko gained a slight lead as Van Metre slowed in an unsuccessful attempt to collect his fluid bottle at an aid station. Mocko let Van Metre catch up and shared his water with him before surging and pulling away for good at 14.5 miles.
"[Mocko] was a real gentleman," said Van Metre who placed second in 2:25:57. "I like running on hills, and I train on them a lot, so the rolling hills on this course were great for me. I even had a little kick at the end."
Robert Wiley (Gurnee, Ill.) finished third in 2:28:00, as he ran the entire distance unaccompanied behind the two leaders.
Ultimately, Mocko's familiarity of the course, and his hard training on the hills of San Francisco, gave him the edge for victory.
"I think I'm more race savvy and conditioned for the longer distances now," said Mocko who has five marathons under his belt. "I haven't been doing a lot of speed work, but I've been doing a lot of 25- to 27-mile long runs, and it certainly paid off today."
Victor Ballesteros (San Rafael, Calif.), age 41, placed fifth overall and took home the men's Masters (age 40 and over) crown in 2:37:51. Steve Radigan (60, Fremont, Calif.) preserved his streak of 34 consecutive NVM's by finishing in 3:59:10.
The marathon race once again served as the Road Runners Club of America's Western Regional Marathon Championship. Known as "the Biggest Little Marathon in the West," the race rewards male and female Open and Masters winners with oversized bottles of wine etched with their championship accomplishments. The male and female winners of the race also receive their "weight-in-wine" from the sponsoring Silverado Trail Wineries Association.
"It was a beautiful day in Napa Valley and we're very pleased to be affiliated with Kaiser Permanente," said David Hill, who co-directs NVM with Rich Benyo. "We couldn't ask for a better day with a record number of starters (1,834), and finishers (1,770)."
In the accompanying Kiwanis 5K Fun Run, Dale Taylor (23, San Francisco) was the men's winner in 15:31 and Stephanie Pancoast (23, Stanford, Calif.) was first among women in 16:41.
34th Kaiser Permanente Napa Valley Marathon
Napa, CA, Sunday, March 4, 2012
MEN
1) Chris Mocko (CA), 2:24:38
2) John Van Metre (CA), 2:25:57
3) Robert Wiley (IL), 2:28:00
WOMEN
1) Devon Crosby-Helms (CA), 2:39:37*
2) Tammy Lifka, 41, IL, 2:56:33
3) Kristin Walstad (CA), 2:58:14
*course record (previous record, 2:39:43, Diana Fitzpatrick (CA), 1992)
Complete results and more at: www.napavalleymarathon.org
Caroline Rotich to Defend NYC Half Title
ING New York City Marathon champions Firehiwot Dado and Marilson Gomes dos Santos and New Zealand Olympian Kim Smith also part of commanding international field racing on March 18
NEW YORK - (March 1, 2012) - Defending NYC Half champion Caroline Rotich of Kenya and ING New York City Marathon 2011 winner Firehiwot Dado of Ethiopia will headline a global group of stars at the NYC Half on Sunday, March 18, it was announced by New York Road Runners president and CEO Mary Wittenberg.
Joining them on the starting line for this renowned race through Manhattan will be two-time ING New York City Marathon champion Marilson Gomes dos Santos of Brazil and New Zealand Olympian Kim Smith, whose half-marathon time of 1 hour, 7 minutes, 11 seconds is the fastest ever run in the United States by a woman.
The international men's field also includes Moroccan Olympian Abderrahime Bouramdane; Kenyan Peter Kirui, who competed in the 10,000 meters at the 2011 IAAF World Championships in Daegu, South Korea; 2011 IAAF World Championships Marathon bronze medalist Feyisa Lilesa of Ethiopia; Canadian Olympian Eric Gillis; Wesley Korir of Kenya, runner-up at the 2011 Bank of America Chicago Marathon; Ethiopian Olympian Deriba Merga, the 2009 Boston Marathon champion, and Kenyan Samuel Chelanga, the NCAA 10,000m record-holder. This group will get a strong challenge from the home country: previously announced were three world class Americans: 2012 Olympic Marathon Trials champion Meb Keflezighi, two-time Olympian Dathan Ritzenhein, and 2011 World Championships 10,000m runner Scott Bauhs.
Additional international women's pros include Mexican Olympian Madaí Pérez, British Olympian Jo Pavey, Dutch Olympian Hilda Kibet, and Claire Hallissey of Great Britain, a contender for the British Olympic team. Previously announced were top American runners Kara Goucher and Desiree Davila (both members of this year's U.S. Olympic Marathon team), Janet Cherobon-Bawcom, Julie Culley, Jeannette Faber and Stephanie Pezzullo.
NYRR's flagship half-marathon, in its seventh running, will feature a race-record field of 15,000 runners and a thrilling new course. Also new this year, WABC-TV will be airing the NYC Half live, beginning at 7:00am, as part of NYRR's recently announced comprehensive television agreement with ESPN / WABC-TV. The race will also be broadcast live on the New York Road Runners website. Viewers can tune in at 7:00-9:00am EDT on Sunday, March 18 to tv.nyrr.org to watch the race coverage. The NYC Half will again offer a prize purse of $100,000 - the largest half-marathon purse in the United States. The men's and women's champions will each earn $20,000. The race continues to attract prominent professional athletes and recreational runners from around the world.
"A dynamic field of stars continues to shine brighter with the additions of Caroline, Firehiwot and Kim on the women's side, Marilson on the men's side, and a number of other international notables in both races," said Wittenberg. "In an Olympic year, the NYC Half will provide a thrilling preview of many of our sport's finest as they continue on their 'Road to London.'"
After winning the NYC Half in 2011 with a course-record time of 1:08:51, defending champion Caroline Rotich, 27, of Kenya, will be on familiar ground. Rotich also finished eighth in the ING New York City Marathon 2010, and she ran 2:24:26 -a personal best by five minutes - to take fourth place at the 2011 Boston Marathon.
"Winning the NYC Half last year made me believe that anything is possible if I train hard," said Rotich. "It made me believe that I can win more and more. The first time I went to New York, it was so busy and it was too much for me! But the more I go back, it gets easier and easier. I love all the crowds that come out to watch in New York. Now, I'm really excited to go back and try to defend my title."
Rotich will face fierce competition from reigning ING New York City Marathon champion Firehiwot Dado, 28, of Ethiopia, who finished in a personal-best time of 2:23:15 in her New York City debut. Dado is also a three-time winner of the Rome City Marathon.
"Since my victory at the ING New York City Marathon 2011, I have been looking forward to returning to the streets of NYC to compete again," said Dado. "I took a short break from training after my win and I have been training very well. I am excited to return to NYC and be a part of the NYC Half, and I look forward to experiencing the great hospitality of NYRR again."
Gomes dos Santos, 34, of Brazil, is comfortable on NYC streets, having twice won the ING New York City Marathon (2006, 2008); he is the only South American to win the race. Gomes has finished in the top 10 in the ING New York City Marathon a total of four times, and last spring he finished fourth at the Virgin London Marathon in a personal record of 2:06:34.
"I am excited to be returning to New York for the NYC Half," said Gomes. "My two wins in the ING New York City Marathon have been the most important victories of my running career, and last year the NYC Half prepared me well for the personal best that I set in the Virgin London Marathon. I'm hoping to run even faster in both races in this important Olympic year."
Kim Smith, 30, a native of Auckland who now lives in Providence, RI, broke her own record for the fastest-ever half-marathon by a woman on U.S. soil when she won the 2011 Rock 'n' Roll Philadelphia Half-Marathon in 1:07:11. Smith has finished the ING New York City Marathon twice (2010-11), placing fifth both times. She holds 12 New Zealand records at distances from the mile to the marathon.
The NYC Half will offer runners a spectacular tour of Manhattan as they race through Central Park, Times Square, the Hudson River waterfront, and lower Manhattan en route to the scenic South Street Seaport finish line. At the Post-Race Festival Presented by Poland Spring, there will be refreshments, entertainment by Irish rockers Black 47 and the Shinbone Alley Stilt Band, treatments supplied by the Swedish Institute of Massage, and much more. The Festival is free and open to the public.
For more NYC Half information, visit: www.nyrr.org
Brooks Inspiring Coaches Program to Honor the Best
Leading running company encourages athletes and parents to share exceptional stories about inspiring track and cross country coaches in their lives; 25 dedicated coaches to be recognized
BOTHELL, Wash. - (March 1, 2012) - Great high school coaches don't just coach, they inspire, motivate and instill a lifelong love of running in their athletes. Now Brooks Sports, Inc. is giving athletes, parents and others in the community the opportunity to give back to these standout individuals by nominating them for the second annual Brooks Inspiring Coaches program. The Brooks Inspiring Coaches program aims to bring support, awareness and a dose of Run Happy spirit to high school cross country and track and field coaches who go above and beyond to motivate their runners and keep their programs strong.
"Last year we read hundreds of heartfelt stories about amazing high school coaches from all over the nation. We ultimately honored 10 who not only motivated their runners on the track and trail, but become their lifelong mentors," said Jim Weber, president and CEO of Brooks Sports, Inc. "These coaches exemplify our mission to inspire everyone to run and be active."
In an effort to bolster its support for coaches and their high school running teams nationwide, Brooks decided to more than double its investment in the Inspiring Coaches program for 2012. The leading running company will to honor 25 coaches and award product and monetary support to their teams.
Anyone inspired by a coach should visit www.brooksrunning.com/inspiringcoaches to nominate a current high school track and field or cross country coach. Applications will be accepted through June 29, 2012. Brooks will announce the top 25 finalists and profile them on www.brooksrunning.com during August; the 2012 Inspiring Coach of the Year will be announced in September.
Brooks will award each finalist:
$5000 in Brooks performance running footwear, apparel and/or accessories for his or her team
$500 cash for additional team expenses
Membership into the Brooks Inspire Daily (I.D.) program
The 2012 Inspiring Coach of the Year will also receive:
$5000 in Brooks gear
An additional $2,000 in cash
A trip for two to the 2013 Brooks PR Invitational
The Brooks Inspiring Coaches program was created in 2011 after hearing countless stories of high school track and cross country coaches who volunteer their time, pay for team expenses out of their own pockets, and use the run to help keep kids positively motivated and active. Wanting to pay tribute to these coaches who go the extra mile, Brooks asked high school athletes, parents and others to share personal thoughts and stories about their coaches.
Ranked among a highly competitive field, Coach Amy Pitzel from Katy Taylor High School in Katy, Texas, was named the Brooks 2011 Inspiring Coach of the Year.
Phrases like "Leads by example", "totally dedicated" and "the glue that bonds her team like no other" made the nominations for Coach Pitzel stand out and ultimately earned her the top honor.
Visit www.brooksrunning.com for more information, and follow frequent brand updates on Twitter (@brooksrunning) and Facebook (www.Facebook.com/brooksrunning).
Contact Information
Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Director, ryan@runningusa.org, (805) 696-6232
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