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In this edition:
Honda LA Marathon Partners with Veterans Groups for 2012 Event
Bradosky, Petrick Set Course Records at First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon
B.A.A. to Publish 125th Anniversary Commemorative History Book
Joplin Memorial Run Supports Local Charities
UPCOMING EVENTS
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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
NYC Half-Marathon, New York, NY, March 18
Yuengling Shamrock Marathon & Half, Virginia Beach, VA, March 18
Publix Georgia Marathon & Half, Atlanta, GA, March 18
Allstate Life Insurance 13.1 New York, NY, March 24
35th ZKS Winter Park 10K & 2 Mile, Winter Park, FL, March 24
Atlanta Women's 5K, Atlanta, GA, March 24
Great Race of Agoura Hills 10K, Agoura Hills, CA, March 24
Big Sur's Mud Run, Seaside, CA, March 24
Oakland Running Festival Weekend, Oakland, CA, March 24-25
Honda LA Marathon Partners with Veterans Groups for 2012 Event
Ride 2 Recovery, Achilles International, Wounded Warriors, U.S. Vets and the USO to participate; Vietnam veteran and LA Marathon legacy runner Johnnie Jameson going for 27th race finish
LOS ANGELES - (March 12, 2012) - When thousands of runners triumphantly cross the finish line at this year's Honda LA Marathon on Sunday, March 18, there will be many U.S. veterans among them.
One such athlete is Chuck Sketch, who is competing as part of Ride 2 Recovery, a non-profit that helps injured veterans improve their health and wellness through individual and group cycling. Sketch, a blind, double amputee who lost his legs and sight due to a brain tumor, served as a Lance Corporal in the U.S. Marines. He'll be racing in his one-of-a-kind tandem cycle - a recumbent bike in the front and a hand-cranked cycle in the back - called the "Chuck Wagon" that debuted in the 2010 Honda LA Marathon. Chuck's riding partner is John Wordin, founder and president of Ride 2 Recovery.
When asked how he likes riding the Chuck Wagon, Chuck responds, "It was wonderful to feel the wind on my face again. I had forgotten how that feels."
More than 50 other hand cycle athletes will participate including those from Ride 2 Recovery and Achilles International, an organization that works to enable people with all types of disabilities to participate in mainstream athletics to lower the barriers to living a fulfilling life.
Wounded Warriors, a non-profit organization that raises awareness and enlists the public's aid for the needs of injured service members, will also be represented in this year's race with participants from the Camp Pendleton Marine base.
"We're honored to have so many inspiring veteran participants in this year's Honda LA Marathon," said LA MARATHON LLC Chief Operating Officer Nick Curl. "Many disabled veterans say that being in the race helps them get their lives back on track, but we feel that runners, spectators and fans benefit greatly from their triumphant performances and their stories of healing and hope."
While veterans are conquering the famed Stadium to the Sea course in LA, more than 40 active service members will be running a shadow marathon in Afghanistan created by Captain Jeff Johnson from the 18th Engineer Brigade headquarters.
U.S. Vets and the USO, two official Honda LA Marathon charities, also have teams running and fundraising on their behalf. In fact, radio personality Sean Valentine from 104.3 MYfm is raising funds while he prepares to run the Honda LA Marathon for the USO, whose mission is to lift the spirits of American troops and their families.
The USO will be hosting a USO Entertainment Center featuring local band and entertainment on the VA Property in Los Angeles, on the course at Mile 21 on Eisenhower Avenue at Dewey Avenue.
One veteran who truly encompasses the spirit of the marathon is 64-year-old Vietnam veteran Johnnie Jameson, one of 194 Los Angeles Marathon legacy runners who have run and completed every Honda LA Marathon since the first one, from 1986 to 2011. The 2012 race will be number 27 and counting for him.
Johnnie, who works as a mail carrier, notes: "We all have to look for and find our own positive. I have found my positive, and it is the Los Angeles Marathon, without a doubt! It has helped to keep my mind and body strong, and has been an enormous help in healing my mental wounds. So, I will always be grateful to the city of Los Angeles for continuing these marathons. They inspire me so much."
ABOUT THE RACE: The Honda LA Marathon gives runners and fans a unique way to experience the beauty and diversity of Los Angeles. Now in its third year, the iconic Stadium to the Sea course starts at Dodger Stadium, goes through Chinatown, Little Tokyo, Echo Park and Silver Lake, and passes world-famous landmarks such as the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Grauman's Chinese Theatre, Sunset Strip and Rodeo Drive. The race ends on Ocean Avenue near the Santa Monica Pier. The energy, enthusiasm and entertainment along the course are unparalleled.
Visit LAmarathon.com for more information.
Bradosky, Petrick Set Course Records at First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon
Event including Relay draws 3,000-plus participants at 7th edition
By Holly Johnson
SARASOTA, Fla. - (March 11, 2012) - More than 3,000 runners and walkers took part in Sunday's 7th First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon & Relay, making the race one of the largest single day event participation events for Sarasota County outside Spring Training. Jacob Bradosky, age 24, of Great Falls, Montana and Sara Petrick, age 25, of Apollo Beach, Fla. won Open titles in course record times of 1 hour, 9 minutes, 42 seconds and 1:20:00 respectively.
Despite running this year's race faster than in 2011, last year's winners, Elias Gonzalez, age 35, from Tampa, and Heather Butcher, age 39, from North Port, took second place in the men's and women's division in 1:12:19 and 1:23:15 respectively.
Butcher's runner-up finish made her the overall local division winner for women, while Jeff Vereckt, age 40, taking the men's local division top place (4th overall among men) and the Masters title in 1:20:52.
Race Director Javier Sanchez noted on the event: "It was another perfect day for a race in Sarasota and some really fast record-setting times among a competitive field that drew participants from 47 states and 7 countries. We greatly appreciate all the community and sponsor support and look forward to continuing to grow this event into one of the nation's top half-marathons and relays."
Masters Winners (40 and older)
Lauro Barragan, age 44, 1:27:31
Jeff Vereckt, age 40, 1:20:52
Grand Masters Winners (50 and older)
Denise Skinner, age 56, 1:38:46
Robert Hammon, age 51, 1:25:52
Relay Team Winners
In its second year, the two-person relay teams attracted 366 runners and walkers. Top finishers included:
Men's Relay: Masters of Disaster, 1:33:22
Women's Relay: Runnergirl, 1:34:24
Co-Ed: On a Shoestring, 1:17:16
Youngest / Oldest
Spanning 67 years, 10-year-old Shelby McKinney of Genoa City, Wis. finished in 3:22:01 and 77-year-old Leroy Halle of North Port, Fla. in 3:41:31.
For complete results, visit: www.sarasotahalfmarathon.com
B.A.A. to Publish 125th Anniversary Commemorative History Book
Features 100 rare and historic photos, mainly from B.A.A. archive; preface by Boston native and sports enthusiast Matt Damon; available December 2012
BOSTON - (March 8, 2012) - The Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.), best known as organizer of the Boston Marathon®, has announced that a special commemorative book to celebrate its 125th anniversary will be published in 2012.
Titled B.A.A: 125, this illustrated history will be published by Skyhorse Publishing and will feature a preface by Boston native and sports enthusiast Matt Damon. The book will be written by John Hanc, a long-time writer for Newsday, a contributing editor to Runner's World magazine and author of ten books, including his award-winning memoir on running the 2005 Antarctica Marathon, The Coolest Race on Earth. (Chicago Review Press). Also, the book will feature 100 rare and historic photos, most of them from the B.A.A.'s archives.
According to B.A.A. Executive Director Tom Grilk, "In this book, we will show that the story and significance of the Boston Athletic Association is broader than simply the Boston Marathon."
"The B.A.A. has a fascinating history that goes way beyond the Boston Marathon," Hanc agrees. "I'm amazed at some of the stories we've uncovered about the club's founders and the scope of its activities, particularly in its early years."
Founded in 1887, and best known for its signature event, the 115-year-old Boston Marathon, the B.A.A. fielded teams in many sports in its early years, including football, baseball, hockey and water polo, as well as track & field, where athletes wearing the club's distinctive unicorn logo made history: eight of the 14 athletes on the U.S. Olympic team that participated in Athens in 1896 were B.A.A. members.
"We are especially proud to be publishing this landmark book," said Jay Cassell, Editorial Director of Skyhorse Publishing. "You don't have to be a runner, or a Bostonian, to appreciate the many fine things the B.A.A. has done for sports, health, and fitness in this country. This is truly a book for everyone."
The B.A.A. also announced that it will distribute a limited number of copies of the book to libraries in Massachusetts, particularly those in communities along the Boston Marathon course. B.A.A. 125 will be sold at the April 2013 John Hancock Sports & Fitness Expo during Boston Marathon weekend.
B.A.A 125, published by Skyhorse Publishing will be available in December 2012. For more information on the B.A.A., go to: www.baa.org
Joplin Memorial Run Supports Local Charities
Partnership will assist with relief efforts from 2011 tornado
JOPLIN, Mo. - (March 14, 2012) - The Joplin Memorial Run has announced their partnership with three local charities that are assisting with relief efforts. For the Saturday, May 19 event, runners in the half-marathon or 5K can purchase a charity bib for $50 to benefit the United Way of Southwest Missouri and Southeast Kansas, RebuildJoplin.org or Bright Futures of Joplin.
Funds donated to the United Way of Southwest Missouri and Southeast Kansas will assist with tornado relief efforts, monies donated to RebuildJoplin.org will be used to rebuild homes and neighborhoods throughout the city, and donations to Bright Futures of Joplin can be designated for either the Scholarship Fund to benefit students directly impacted by the tornado or Operation Rising Eagle Phase II, which is will be used to help rebuild Joplin Schools.
"Runners have the option of choosing a charity to support. So many of our participants have supported Joplin either financially or by volunteering in the past nine months and they continue to seek out opportunities to assist with relief efforts. Even individuals not participating in the run are able to donate to one of these organizations by going to joplinmemorialrun.com and clicking on the charities tab," said Chairperson Audie Dennis.
The Joplin Memorial Run welcomes back Freeman Health System as the event's premier sponsor.
"Freeman has been a great partner to the run for many years and they have taken an even larger role in this year's event," stated Dennis.
The event also has announced that American Family Insurance will be the presenting sponsor for 2012.
Joplin Memorial Run, a project of Active Lifestyle Events, Inc., will occur on Saturday, May 19, 2012. Jeff Galloway, 1972 Olympian and creator of the Run / Walk / Run marathon training program, will be a speaker at the 2012 Pre-Race Banquet, with a special program honoring heroes of the May 22, 2011 tornado. There will also be a Marketplace during packet pick up, a Post-Race Party and free one-mile Kids Run.
For more information or to register for the event, visit: www.JoplinMemorialRun.com
Contact Information
Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Director, ryan@runningusa.org, (805) 696-6232
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