Running USA wire 44, May 23, 2012

Running USA wire 44, May 23, 2012
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:
Fourth National Running Day to Take Place on June 6, 2012
International Field Announced for 34th Freihofer's Run for Women
Williams Route 66 Marathon Finisher Medal Ranks #1 in North America
Santa Monica Classic Draws Rave Reviews from Locals

UPCOMING EVENTS

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


MVP Health Care YAM Scram, Burlington, VT, May 26
5th Kents Run 5K, Valparaiso, IN, May 26
Toronto Women's Half Marathon & 5K, CAN, May 27
KeyBank Vermont City Marathon, Burlington, VT, May 27
Freedom 8K, Green Cove Springs, FL, May 28
Challenge Hearts & Minds 5K, St. Paul, MN, May 28
Dick's Sporting Goods BolderBOULDER 10K, Boulder, CO, May 28
Reno-Tahoe Odyssey Relay Run Adventure, NV-CA, June 1
Freihofer's Run for Women, Albany, NY, June 2
5th ZOOMA Annapolis Half-Marathon & 10K, MD, June 2
Hospital Hill Run - Half-Marathon, Kansas City, MO, June 2
Jodi's Race for Awareness, Denver, CO, June 2
Deadwood Mickelson Trail Marathon, Deadwood, SD, June 3
Leaves of Hope 5K & 10K, Denver, CO, June 3
15th Rock 'n' Roll San Diego Marathon & 1/2, CA, June 3
National Running Day, nationwide, June 6
Fremont 5K & Briefcase Relay, Seattle, WA, June 8







Fourth National Running Day to Take Place on June 6, 2012

Thousands of Americans declare their running passion and plan celebrations all over the world


NEW YORK - (May 22, 2012) - Some people run to shake off a stressful workday or as absolution for a sinful dessert, but on Wednesday, June 6, National Running Day, everyday athletes around the world will run for the pleasure of celebrating together. Now in its fourth year, National Running Day continues to connect runners of all ages and abilities in a sport that is often practiced alone.



Last year's "I RUN..." campaign continues in 2012: Runners motivate and inspire each other by sharing their commitment, stories and humor. "I RUN" statements have ranged from the sincere ("I RUN to break new ground") to the sublime ("I RUN to clear my head and fill my heart") to the apocalyptic ("I RUN to prepare for a zombie invasion").

New features to National Running Day this year include:



An updated National Running Day website and design
National Running Day gear
Daily giveaways
A fundraising race
More events
"What started as a grassroots initiative just a few years ago has now blossomed into a worldwide day of fun and movement," said Mary Wittenberg, New York Road Runners' president and CEO. "We had a blast last year. The website calendar boasted more than 150 events in the United States, and Facebook and Twitter exploded with everyone talking about reasons to run."



From now through June, runners can celebrate in a myriad of ways. It all starts at runningday.org, where they can:



Make a bold "I RUN..." statement and post it for all to see
Support great charities through running
Find or set up a group run to take place on Wednesday, June 6
Discover fun ways to celebrate
Get tips to support friends who want to become runners


As National Running Day continues to grow, groups from around the world are joining in and planning festivities. This year, A.S.O. of France will set up runs throughout that country. In the past, events have been organized in places as close as Mexico and as far away as the Philippines.



Visit runningday.org and join our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/runningday for all the latest news and activities.



ABOUT NATIONAL RUNNING DAY
National Running Day, held annually on the first Wednesday in June, is a day when runners everywhere declare their passion for running. It is a coast-to-coast celebration of a sport and activity that's simple, inexpensive, and fun. It's the perfect way for longtime runners to reaffirm their love of running and for beginners to kick off a lifetime and life-changing commitment.



National Running Day is a collaborative effort of the foremost running organizations in the United States, including the Atlanta Track Club, Boston Athletic Association, Chevron Houston Marathon, Chicago Area Runners Association, Competitor Group, Inc., Little Rock Marathon, Marine Corps Marathon, New York Road Runners, Oregon Track Club, Running USA, Twin Cities In Motion and USA Track & Field.





International Field Announced for 34th Freihofer's Run for Women
Anyone's race with Daska, Chebet, Willis and Chepkirui in the mix for June 2 event; $23,000 prize purse with $10,000 for race champion



ALBANY, N.Y. - (May 22, 2012) - Race officials have announced the international field for the 34th Freihofer's Run for Women scheduled for Saturday, June 2 in Albany. Among those scheduled to race at the prestigious all-female 5K race include the course record holder, the defending champion, a three-time winner, a young Kenyan phenomenon making her Freihofer's debut, and a slew of other elite international runners eager to take on the U.S. field for the $10,000 first-place prize.



With such big names involved, it could very well be anyone's race this year.



Ethiopian Mamitu Daska, 28, has made the Freihofer's podium every year she's raced, winning it for the first time last year (15:19). She is fresh off victories at the Zazzle Bay to Breakers 12K (39:03) and 2012 Bloomsday Run 12K (38:26).



Emily Chebet, 26, from Kenya, set the Freihofer's Run course record in 2010 with a time of 15:12 beating the previous record by seven seconds. She recently placed 4th at the World's Best 10K and 3rd at the African Cross County Championships.



Chebet and Daska face a serious challenge in the form of Joyce Chepkirui, a 23-year-old Kenyan who boasts a 15:08 5K personal best and has won almost every race she's entered this year. This includes the Prague Half Marathon (1:07:02), the African Cross Country Championships and the Kenyan Cross Country Championships. Chepkirui also placed 2nd at the World's Best 10K (31:09).



Benita Willis, 33, who earned three Freihofer's titles between 2006-08 - only the third woman to accomplish that feat - is looking to reassert herself on this famed course after three years finishing off the podium. The three-time Australian Olympian (2008 Marathon, 2004 10,000m and 2000 5000m), who will represent her nation in the marathon at the London 2012 Olympics, has a proven track record (14:47 at 5000m) and is showing strong form in 2012. Last Saturday she finished 8th in the BUPA Great Manchester Run 10K (33:35).



Toeing the line next to Willis for the first time on June 2nd will be compatriot Lara Tamsett, 24, who recently ran to 8th place at the Carlsbad 5000 in 15:52. Tamsett, whose 5K personal best is 15:28, has climbed to the top of the Australian rankings over the last three years.



"It is tremendous to have a three-time winner, last year's winner, and the course record holder all competing in 2012," said Professional Athlete Recruiter John Tope. "With the talent of the international field and the strength of the U.S. field, it could be a special day of running on June 2nd."



Four strong African runners who, like Chepkirui, are eager to make an impact in their Freihofer's debut, round out the international field. Alemitu Abera, 26, from Ethiopia, has proven to be a considerable threat at long distances, having won both the 2012 Daegu Marathon and 2012 Chevron Houston Marathon. It remains to be seen how her endurance training will fare on a 3.1 mile course, though she holds a 32:46 10K personal record. Abera's countrywoman, Ashu Kasim, 27, is riding high off a 1st place finish at the 2012 Xiamen Marathon in China with a time of 2:23:09, which beat her own personal record by three minutes.



As for the Kenyan contingent, it includes Genoveva Kigen and Risper Gesabwa. Kigen, 30, won the 2012 Crescent City Classic 10K (32:12) and placed 4th at the recent Bloomsday Run 12K (39:55). Gesabwa, 23, is fresh off of winning the 2012 LA Half Marathon (1:14:37) and placed second at both the 2012 Pittsburgh Half Marathon and 2012 ING Georgia Half Marathon.



Additional information about the 2012 Freihofer's Run for Women, Freihofer's Community Walk, Freihofer's Kids' Run, Freihofer's Junior 3K Run and the CapitalCare / CDPHP Health & Fitness Expo can be found at: www.freihofersrun.com



From the home page, also link to the event's Facebook, Twitter and YouTube pages.






Williams Route 66 Marathon Finisher Medal Ranks #1 in North America

Route 66 is the only event in the country to finish in the top three in as many years


TULSA, Okla. - (May 23, 2012) - Marathon runners take their hardware seriously, and rightly so after journeying 26.2 miles to cross the finish line. After finishing second and third the last two years, the Williams Route 66 Marathon finisher medal has been ranked #1 among North American marathon medals, according to the May / June issue of Marathon & Beyond magazine.



The 2011 medal is designed to look like a hood ornament on a classic 1941 Cadillac. In Paul Gentry's article, "Chasing the Flying Goddess," the Williams Route 66 medal has been recognized for capturing the spirit of the marathon. Judges especially liked its elegant, sleek and shiny design that makes it look "fast."



Marathon & Beyond formed a 23-member panel made up of marathoners from across the country and Canada to judge the 2011 marathon medals. There are an estimated 720 marathons in the U.S. according to Running USA. This is the third year in a row that the Williams Route 66 Marathon medal has placed in the top three, something no other event in the country has ever done.



"The attention paid to marathon medals has really escalated over the years," said Rich Benyo, editor of Marathon & Beyond. "The perfect medal is one that perfectly symbolizes the area through which it runs, and the Route 66 medal does this perfectly!"

Gentry said of the marathon's medal, "Without a doubt, Tulsa is the center of the 'medal' universe! To be in the top three for three straight years is truly amazing, especially considering that Marathon & Beyond has a completely different panel of judges each year. I am a proud finisher of this event, and I smile with pride every time I see my Flying Goddess hanging in my den."



"This is a tremendous honor," said Chris Lieberman, director of the Williams Route 66 Marathon. "Of course, we wanted a medal that reflected the essence of the event and the history of Tulsa, but more importantly, we wanted the medal to be worthy of the effort of finishing the marathon."



About the Williams Route 66 Marathon
The Williams Route 66 Marathon, celebrating its seventh year, will wind through the beautiful city of Tulsa, Okla., on Saturday, Nov. 17 and Sunday, Nov. 18, 2012. The presenting sponsor is Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oklahoma. Each year the race events are held the Saturday and Sunday before Thanksgiving, and include a two-day health and fitness expo, marathon, half marathon, marathon relay, 5K run/walk, and a one-mile fun run / walk. To learn more about the events, sponsoring, training or volunteering, e-mail info@route66marathon.com, call (918) 409-2828 or visit route66marathon.com






Santa Monica Classic Draws Rave Reviews from Locals

Thousands cross the finish line on Ocean Avenue; winners receive first-ever prize purse; event benefits Heal the Bay

By Jason Greenwald



LOS ANGELES - (May 20, 2012) - More than 3,000 runners came out on Sunday for the 7th Santa Monica Classic and enjoyed perfect running weather, a flat and fast course and a finisher's medal in the form of wayfarer-style sunglasses.



This iconic race course showcases the historic City Hall and Santa Monica Civic Center and quickly moves uptown to Ocean Avenue, San Vicente Boulevard's picturesque panorama views and back to the finish at the Santa Monica Pier. In addition, it helps to raise awareness for the environmental non-profit Heal the Bay, with many participants running to show their support. Thousands of spectators crowded Ocean Avenue to cheer on the runners, creating an electric atmosphere for both the 5 and 10k events.



A number of celebrity participants added to the atmosphere of the race, including actors Jamie Lee Curtis, Sean Astin and Andrea Barber, as well as KTLA Morning News Anchor Chris Schauble. Both Astin and Schauble have completed the Honda LA Marathon, with Astin taking part in this year's race.



"We were thrilled to see so many local competitors and spectators come out this morning to take part in this exciting event," said LA MARATHON LLC Chief Operating Officer Nick Curl. "The fact that the Santa Monica Classic keeps growing each year is a real testament to the fantastic course, great giveaways and our valuable partnership with Heal the Bay."



For the first time since the event was created, a $1050 prize purse was split among the first three male and female finishers of the 10K race. The 10K and 5K winners also took home eco-friendly recycled glass trophies handed out at the awards ceremony. All participants - donning their finisher t-shirts and wayfarer sunglasses - visited an exciting finish line expo at the pier that featured nutrition, fitness and health-related vendors.



The winners of the 10K were Christian Tregillis, in 34 minutes, 34 seconds, and Laura Conley, who clocked 39:01. Each took home $300. In the 5K, Kevin Purcell won the men's division with a time of 16:56, and Rocio Pelayo was the top woman, finishing in 18:08. They each won a Nike+ SportWatch GPS. Prizes were also awarded for the second and third place finishers in each division.



For complete results, go to: www.santamonicaclassic.com and for photos of Sunday's race, which is an LA MARATHON LLC event, visit: www.yogile.com/12santamonicaclassic#51m







Contact Information


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




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