Running USA wire 66, August 8, 2012

Running USA wire 66, August 8, 2012
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In this edition:
Inaugural GNC Live Well Liberty Mile Draws Top Field in Pittsburgh
Race Champions Rotich, Ayalew Yimer Return to New Balance Falmouth Road Race
Heineck Goes for Three-Peat at Oregon Wine Country Half Marathon
Cowtown Marathon, Southwest YMCA Partner with Fort Worth's FitWorth Movement

UPCOMING EVENTS

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

Olympic Games, London, GBR, Aug 3-12
Track & Field Competition
New Balance Falmouth Mile, Falmouth, MA, August 11
August 5K, Atlanta, GA, August 11
Challenge Addiction 5K, St. Paul, MN, August 11
Colorado Springs Panerathon, Denver, CO, August 11
40th New Balance Falmouth Road Race, Falmouth, MA, Aug 12
Fifteen's 5K, Minneapolis, MN, August 12
Inaugural GNC Live Well Liberty Mile, Pittsburgh, PA, Aug 17
Celebration of Running 5K, Orlando, FL, August 18
Madison Mini-Marathon, Madison, WI, August 18
Pikes Peak Ascent, Manitou Springs, CO, August 18
Run for the Fallen Maine 65K, Portland, ME, August 19
Rock 'n' Roll Providence 1/2 Marathon, Providence, RI, Aug 19
Race for Research, Denver, CO, August 19
Pikes Peak Marathon, Manitou Springs, CO, August 19
35th America's Finest City Half-Marathon, San Diego, CA, Aug 19









Inaugural GNC Live Well Liberty Mile Draws Top Field in Pittsburgh

2012 USA 1 Mile road champions Miller, Kampf headline; $25,000 prize purse with $4000 for each Open race champion



PITTSBURGH - (August 8, 2012) - Runners in inaugural races have no race records to break or past champions to beat. At the GNC Live Well Liberty Mile on Friday, August 17, top American milers, known for chasing big dreams one mile at a time, are guaranteed to make history in Pittsburgh in the country's newest Mile race.



The 2012 USA 1 Mile road champions Heather Kampf and Craig Miller headline the deep elite field. Miller, who finished 9th in the 1500 meters at the recent Olympic Trials, will compete against other sub-4:00 Americans milers, including AJ Acosta, Cory Leslie, Christian Hesch and Liam Boylan-Pett. Up-and-coming Mile star Daniel Clark also will run and has won two consecutive road miles this summer at the Ryan Shay Mile and Golden Mile.



For the women, Kampf will face tough competition from Kellyn Johnson, who finished 4th at the USA 1 Mile Road Championship, and Karly Hamric, who set a new personal best in the 1500m semifinals this summer at the Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon.



"For years, GNC has been the leader in providing the fuel for runners to achieve their goals, and we believe it's time that we bring the quickly emerging world of one-mile road races to Pittsburgh, our home town," said Jeff Hennion, EVP - Chief Marketing Officer & eCommerce at GNC. "To make that happen, we are proud to sponsor the inaugural GNC Live Well Liberty Mile and launch it in a way that we expect will immediately make it one of the nation's largest."



The inaugural GNC Live Well Liberty Mile will take place on Friday, August 17 on Pittsburgh's Liberty Avenue. The point-to-point course has a gradual rise for the first half and then rounds a slight curve toward a downhill finish. The race offers a guaranteed prize purse of $25,000 - one of the largest for the distance, including $4000 for the first place finishers in the men's and women's elite heats.



The Liberty Mile is a partner of the Bring Back the Mile campaign, www.bringbackthemile.com, a national movement to return the Mile to prominence in the American sports and cultural landscape by elevating and celebrating the iconic distance.



Visit http://libertymile.org to register or for more information.



About Pittsburgh Three Rivers Marathon, Inc.
Pittsburgh Three Rivers Marathon, Inc. is a non-profit organization that promotes the love of long-distance running and enhances community involvement in fitness activities through high quality events open to a wide variety of ages and ability levels.



GNC LIVE WELL LIBERTY MILE ATHLETE LIST
As of August 6, 2012



WOMEN
NAME / COUNTRY / PERSONAL BEST
Heather Kampf (USA), 4:30.95
Kellyn Johnson (USA), 4:34.41
Karly Hamric (USA), 4:37.35
Chemtai Rionotukei (KEN), 4:39*
Jamie Cheever (USA), 4:39.54
Stephanie Chanigo (USA), 4:41*
Grace Wambui Nganga (KEN), 4:44.79**
Kelley Miller (USA), 4:44.9
Karaleigh Millhouse (USA), 4.46
Hellen Jemutai (KEN), 4:49.16**
Stephanie Bonk (USA), 4:54.0
*Denotes converted 1500m time.
**Denotes converted 5000m time.



MEN
NAME / COUNTRY / PERSONAL BEST
Richard Kandie (KEN), 3:53.7
AJ Acosta (USA), 3:53.7
Cory Leslie (USA), 3:56.85
Liam Boylan-Pett (USA), 3:58.19
Ryan Foster (AUS), 3:58.49
Jorge Jabaz(USA), 3:58
Christian Hesch (USA), 3:58.68
Craig Miller (USA), 3:58.98
Abiyot Endale (ETH), 3:59.4
Daniel Clark (USA), 4:00.14
Anthony Filipek (USA), 4:02.8
Alemu Birhanu (ETH), 4:04.8
Festus Kigen (KEN), 4:06.9
Brian Harvey (USA), 4:07.97
Clay Burnett (USA), 4:09.72




Race Champions Rotich, Ayalew Yimer Return to New Balance Falmouth Road Race

Star-studded international field expected for 40th edition; women's Masters showdown between past champions De Reuck and Ndereba; prize purse exceeds $75,000



FALMOUTH, Mass. - (August 8, 2012) - Falmouth, Massachusetts will be host to a who's who of distance running, past and present, for the celebration of the 40th running of the New Balance Falmouth Road Race. 2011 race champion Lucas Rotich is back to defend his title with the hottest man on the circuit, Alan Kiprono, nipping at his heels.



While 2010 women's champion Wude Ayalew Yimer is back to challenge the field, the best women's battle may be in the Masters division between past champions Catherine Ndereba and Colleen De Reuck. Wheelchair course record holder and defending champion Krige Schabort also returns to Falmouth to race for his fourth title.



The New Balance Falmouth Road Race will take place on Sunday, August 12 when 12,800 participants will line up on the newly dedicated "Tommy Leonard Start Line" in front of The Captain Kidd in Woods Hole, MA. Wheelchair participants will start at 9:40am and the elite field will go off at 10:00am.



Rotich, 22, from Kenya has a 26:43.98 time from the Brussels Diamond League Meet last year as well as a runner-up finish at the TD Bank Beach to Beacon race last year. On his heels will be the 2012 Dick's Sporting Goods BolderBOULDER champion, Alan Kiprono, 22, of Kenya with a personal best of 27:42 for the 10K. Kiprono is on a hot streak with wins at Lilac Bloomsday Run and The Bellin Run as well. This is his Falmouth debut.



In addition, Ed Muge, 29, of Kenya was third at Falmouth in 2011, and is a two-time TD Bank Beach to Beacon champion. Muge will be a factor along with American Chris Solinsky, 27, the former U.S. 10,000 meters record holder with a time of 26:59.60. Tim Nelson, 28, a fellow American, is also expected to be in the lead pack. He has a 27:28.19 10,000 meter time and was a member of the 2009 World Championship team in Berlin.



The women's field is stacked behind 2010 champion, Yimer, 25, who was also the 2011 Crescent City Classic champion. She'll be chased by Lineth Chepkirui, 25, of Kenya, who was second at the 2012 Peachtree 10K in 32:23. Margaret Wangari, 26, of Kenya, is making her Falmouth debut and last Sunday, she won the TD Beach to Beacon 10K in 31:52.



This group will be closely followed by Americans Lindsey Scherf, 25, who was fourth at the Peachtree 10K in 33:22 and Neely Spence, 22, of the United States who is making her Falmouth debut where her father, Steve, finished second in 1988.



One of the most fierce battles on the course this year could come between two former champions in the Masters Division. Colleen De Reuck, 48, was overall champion in both 1993 and 1997. She hasn't shown much slowing down, handily winning the Masters Division for several years at Falmouth, including last year with a time of 39:12 for sixteenth overall. Catherine Ndereba is a four-time overall champion who has just turned 40 this summer. She claimed the top spot in 1996, 1998, 1999 and 2007. Catherine was third at Falmouth in 2011 with a time of 37:27. De Reuck and Ndereba are no strangers to competing together having finished 1-2 twice at Falmouth; both times the edge going to Ndereba. However, if they spend too much time on each other, Sheri Piers, 40, from Falmouth, Maine, could play the spoiler. She was tenth over all at this year's Boston Marathon as a master.



Defending champion, course record holder and 2012 Paralympian Krige Schabort, 48, leads the men's wheelchair field. Challengers include eight-time champion Craig Blanchette, 44, who was second in 2011 and four-time champion Tony Nogueira, 44, who finished third last year. Two-time champion Patrick Doak, 44, is also back and ready to race.



With six-time winner Jessica Galli concentrating on the Paralympic Games, the women's race is wide open. Jill Moore, 19, from the University of Illinois who has a 32:45 10K time will be mixing it up with the 2011 TD Bank Beach to Beacon winner Christina Kouros, 17, from Maine.



Past champions who will return to Falmouth include: Bill Rodgers (1974, 1977, 1978), Frank Shorter (1975, 1976), Craig Virgin (1979), Rod Dixon (1980), Lucas Rotich (2011); Joan Benoit Samuelson (1976, 1978, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1985), Colleen De Reuck (1993, 1997), Catherine Ndereba (1996, 1998, 1999, 2007), Wude Ayalew Yimer (2010); Craig Blanchette (1991, 1992, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2010), Patrick Doak (2006, 2007), Tony Nogueira (2002, 2003, 2004, 2005), Krige Schabort (2008, 2009, 2011) and Candace Cable (1990, 1991, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999). Virgin and Cable will not be competing but will be part of many activities during race weekend.



The 2012 race prize purse exceeds $75,000 with $10,000 for each Open race champion.



COURSE RECORDS
Men's Open: Gilbert Okari, Kenya, 2004 - 31:08
Women's Open: Lornah Kiplagat, Kenya, 2000 - 35:02
Men's Wheelchair: Krige Schabort, USA, 2008 - 23:35
Women's Wheelchair: Candace Cable, USA, 1991 - 28:20



The 40th running of the New Balance Falmouth Road Race is Sunday, August 12, 2012.



For further information, go to: www.falmouthroadrace, www.facebook.com/falmouthroadrace or @RunFalmouth



About Falmouth Road Race
The New Balance Falmouth Road Race was established in 1973 and has become one of the premier running events of the summer season. Each year the race draws an international field of Olympians, elite and recreational runners out to enjoy the iconic 7-mile seaside course. The non-profit Falmouth Road Race organization is committed to promoting health and fitness through community programs and philanthropic giving.






Heineck Goes for Three-Peat at Oregon Wine Country Half Marathon

Third running presented by Subaru returns to Willamette Valley; Running the Edge's Adam Goucher & Tim Catalano guest speakers at the Expo



WILLAMETTE VALLEY, Ore. - (August 8, 2012) - Thousands of runners, wine enthusiasts, sponsors and spectators will converge at the finish line of the Oregon Wine Country Half Marathon presented by Subaru in the "great little town" of Carlton on Sunday, September 2. Now in its third year, the race is one of the most scenic half-marathons in the country, and features four days of events beginning on Thursday at the Sports Authority store in Beaverton.



Two-time defending women's champion Carre Heineck is returning to attempt to win her third-in-a-row. The 30-year-old Portland resident set the women's course record last year at 1 hour, 18 minutes, 44 seconds and looks to better that mark in 2012.



"The Oregon Wine Country Half Marathon is a big, competitive race, but it doesn't seem like it, because people are so friendly and supportive," comments Heineck in a brief moment between being a full-time middle school teacher and the mother of a two-year-old. "It has a great community feel to it. At most big races, you never really talk to the other competitors, but at this race, everyone hangs out. Last year, I met Eva Vail, who finished 3rd and now we're friends and we train together."



The 13.1-mile race starts at Stoller Vineyards and winds through scenic Yamhill County in the heart of the Willamette Valley wine region before finishing on North Pine Street in Carlton. A Wine & Music Festival, awards ceremony and other activities follow the race in Carlton. New for 2012 will be the Winery Team Challenge, in which local wineries field teams of runners and compete for the winery trophy.



According to Matt Dockstader, the Event Director, two course changes and new elements such as the Winery Team Challenge have been added to enhance the event experience. "Oregon has such a strong running community which is even evident within the wineries. Many of them pull together teams to compete in the race, which gave us the idea to incorporate this challenge into all our races. It gives it a fun, local flavor, although we draw from all over the country."



Each race participant receives a specially designed technical running shirt, colorful finishers medal with a wine-stopper and corkscrew, plus a Riedel Oregon Pinot Noir wine glass and entry into the post-race Wine & Music Festival, where 24 wineries and one brewery from the region will be pouring. Additional glasses and tickets for the festival can be purchased for friends and family.



With so many people visiting the Willamette Valley before, during and after the event, local businesses thrive. "On that weekend, we are extremely busy, especially on race day," said Retta Carl, co-owner of Cielo Blu Restaurant in Carlton. "We get not only the race participants, but also the event staff, the volunteers, and the friends and families that come to watch the runners cross the finish line."



The Health and Fitness Expo is held on Saturday September 1 from 10:00am to 6:00pm at the Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum, and is free and open to the public. Under the wings of the Spruce Goose, the expo features exhibitor booths, seminars, wine tasting and packet pickup for registered runners, plus discounts on other Evergreen attractions. Other ancillary events include early packet pickup at Sports Authority in Beaverton on August 30, a welcome reception on August 31 at Grand Cru Estates, a pre-race dinner and a post-race wine tasting tour.



Adam Goucher and Tim Catalano will be guest speakers at the Expo. Adam was a 2000 U.S. Olympian at 5000 meters and co-authored "Running the Edge" with Catalano. He is also the husband of Kara Goucher, who finished 11th at the Olympic Marathon in London on Sunday.



The primary beneficiary of the Oregon Wine Country Half Marathon is Carlton Together Cares, a non-profit organization that operates the Carlton Community Center and develops programs for youth and families in the Carlton-Yamhill area. They are largely focused on providing youth with useful roles in the community, and safe and healthy activities.



Registration for the Oregon Wine Country Half Marathon is still open at www.run4oregonwine.com. A team competition with six or more runners is offered, in addition to a 2-person relay.



The race is part of a series produced by Destination Races, who also produces Wine Country Half Marathons in Napa-Sonoma, Healdsburg, Santa Barbara and Virginia. For more information on the series, visit: www.destinationraces.com






Cowtown Marathon, Southwest YMCA Partner with Fort Worth's FitWorth Movement

Trinity Trot C.A.L.F. 5K / 1 Mile inaugural event of citywide fitness program



FORT WORTH, Texas - (August 8, 2012) - The Cowtown Marathon and the E. R. Van Zandt Southwest YMCA are joining forces for a second year and producing the Trinity Trot C.A.L.F. 5K / 1 Mile Run, the inaugural event for the City of Fort Worth's FitWorth movement, on Saturday, September 15, 2012.



Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price will be at the start line to send runners on their way and launch FitWorth, a citywide campaign to encourage families, friends and neighbors to commit to better nutrition and physical activity. A movement centered on making healthier choices, FitWorth will rally employers, schools, hospitals, government officials, places of worship, non-profits and retailers around activities to halt the upward trend of obesity in our community.



"We think FitWorth is a perfect partnership with Trinity Trot C.A.L.F. as we work to promote the importance of a healthy diet and exercise to our community's youth", said Heidi Swartz, Executive Director of The Cowtown.



The Trinity Trot C.A.L.F. Run will start and finish at LaGrave Field and run along the Trinity River. Runners will finish at home plate of the Fort Worth Cat's baseball field and then enjoy a healthy breakfast before wandering through expo booths featuring nutrition, exercise, bike and fire safety. Families can enjoy bounce houses and carnival games.



Online registration is now open. Runners and walkers can register by going to www.trinitytrotcalfrun.org.



In 2012, The Cowtown distributed more than 1,300 pairs of running shoes to area youth along with financial grants used to reduce, or eliminate, race registration fees to more than 1,500 children. Last year, the Southwest YMCA was able to provide greatly reduced race registrations for 400 JROTC / JCC students with any remaining income going toward scholarships for children and families within the Southwest community.



The Cowtown exists to empower healthy living by bringing the community together to create and participate in races designed for all fitness levels. Operating as a non-profit, The Cowtown funds educational initiatives and provides resources that support our healthy living mission. Go to www.cowtownmarathon.org for more details.



The YMCA strives to build stronger communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. The intention of the YMCA is to be an organization that provides programs and services "for all." Giving each child and family the opportunity to be healthy, and a contributor to their community. Visit www.southwestymcafw.org for more details.







Contact Information


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




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