Running USA wire 94, November 14, 2012

Running USA advances the growth and success of the running industry.


Partners: Active Network, Ashworth Awards, Competitor Group, Leslie Jordan, Inc. and MarathonFoto help make this wire possible.




In this edition:
Michele Stone Named New Director of Sales for Running USA
Competitor Group Launches endurance LIVE 2013
Team USA Minnesota Runners Coach Cross Country Teams
XTERRA Trail Run World Championship Returns to Kualoa Ranch on Sunday, Dec. 2

UPCOMING EVENTS

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



Turkey Trot 10K, Quantico, VA, November 17
Gobble Wobble, Denver, CO, November 17
Philadelphia Marathon Race Weekend, Philadelphia, PA, November 18
Big Sur Half Marathon on Monterey Bay, Monterey, CA, November 18
XTERRA Topanga Turkey Trot Trail Run, Los Angeles, CA, November 22
Evanston Flying Turkey 5K, Evanston, IL, November 22
Dana Point Turkey Trot, Dana Point, CA, November 22
Turkey Trot, Denver, CO, November 22
Turkey Trot 5K, Orlando, FL, November 22
Thanksgiving Day 5K, Kansas City, KS, November 22
Bend Turkey Trot, Bend, OR, November 22
Applied Materials Silicon Valley Turkey Trot, San Jose, CA, November 22
Flying Feather Four Miler, Dublin, OH, November 22
Atlanta Half-Marathon & Thanksgiving Day 5K, Atlanta, GA, November 22
Seattle Marathon 5K & Kids Marathon, Seattle, WA, November 24
Seattle Marathon & Half-Marathon, Seattle, WA, November 25
Green Lake Gobble & Mashed Potato Munch Off, Seattle, WA, November 25
Elf Run, Oconomowoc, WI, November 25
GivingThanks 5K, St. Paul, MN, November 29



Michele Stone Named New Director of Sales for Running USA

Past Director of Sponsorship for The Women's Half Marathon Series and Women's Running Magazine


COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - (November 14, 2012) - Running USA, the national industry non-profit organization, has announced that Michele Stone of St. Petersburg, Fla. has been hired as its first Director of Sales. Ms. Stone, an avid runner, has produced annually sponsorships and advertising sales of more than $1 million dollars; most recently for The Women's Half Marathon Series and Women's Running Magazine.

"We welcome Michele to our staff as Director of Sales. She has the experience, contacts, drive and passion to put together partnership plans and programs to grow revenue for Running USA that support our values, mission and general objectives," said Susan Weeks, Running USA CEO.

Stone's duties will include creating sales strategies and researching and contacting perspective sponsors as well as sponsor management for the national organization.

About Running USA
Running USA advances, serves, promotes and celebrates the sport of running as a clearinghouse and resource center and though its popular annual conference, website, Running USA wire, Running USA Industry E-News, National Runner Survey, annual marathon, half-marathon and State of the Sport reports, and by providing athlete support via the Allan Steinfeld Development Award.

Running USA's more than 325 members include events with 2-plus million finishers and prize money exceeding $5.7 million, race services companies, running-related media companies and organizations and the athletic industry.

In March 2009, the non-profit industry organization marked a decade of achievement to build and promote the sport. For more information, visit: RunningUSA.org or contact Ryan Lamppa at (805) 966-7747 or ryan@runningusa.org



Competitor Group Launches endurance LIVE 2013
Biggest awards show in Endurance Sports set for Saturday, Feb. 23, 2013 at Club Nokia; 21st event presented by REFUEL| got chocolate milk?; Top names in endurance sports, including football legend Hines Ward; Tables available for purchase at enduranceLIVE.com



LOS ANGELES (November 12, 2012) - It's a star-studded celebration with the greatest athletes in the world. The 21st edition of endurance LIVE gala presented by REFUEL | "got chocolate milk?®" returns to Club Nokia on Saturday, February 23, 2013 for the biggest night of the year in endurance sports.



The award show, which was held in Los Angeles for the first time in 2012, brings together top athletes from running, cycling and triathlon for one night to recognize the year's most notable performances. In true Hollywood style, celebrities graced the red carpet, including Dr. Andy Baldwin, the star of The Bachelor, Sarah Reinertsen from The Amazing Race and Patrick Warburton, Bianca Kajlich and Megyn Price from the CBS comedy Rules of Engagement, who attended in honor of Kajlich's brother Andre who was named Challenged Athlete of the Year presented by REFUEL | got chocolate milk?.



"We are delighted to return to Los Angeles and partner with 'got chocolate milk?' to host an event that has become a must attend party for the biggest names in endurance sports," said Bob Babbitt, co-founder of Competitor Magazine. "2012 was our biggest and best awards show to date with a tremendous turnout of iconic athletes and Hollywood celebrities. Since 2012 was an Olympic year, we're looking forward to having a number of Olympic and Paralympic medalists join us and help to make it even bigger and better."



Notable athlete attendees at the 2012 show included superstar athletes Apolo Anton Ohno, the most decorated U.S. Winter Olympian in history with 8 Olympic medals; 4-time Ironman World Champion Chrissie Wellington, 12-time Olympic medalist and 5- time Olympian Dara Torres, Olympic Marathoner Abdi Abdirahman, New York Marathon Champion Rod Dixon, as well as ultramarthoner Dean Karnazes. Also in attendance were ESPN analysts Julie Foudy and Marcellus Wiley.



"As presenting sponsors of the 2012 endurance LIVE Awards, we were proud to help honor so many amazing athletes, including a number of 'got chocolate milk?' sponsored champions who went on to win medals in London," said Miranda Abney, Senior Marketing Manager of the Milk Processor Education Program, the group behind the 'got chocolate milk?' campaign. "We're looking forward to recognizing sporting accomplishments of 2012 - and are excited to introduce a new member of the endurance sports community, football legend Hines Ward, who will represent Team REFUEL at the 2013 IRONMAN World Championship in Kona, Hawaii."



The endurance LIVE Awards Gala is annually organized by San Diego-based Competitor Group, an active lifestyle media and event company, which publishes Competitor and Triathlete magazines. Previously known as the Endurance Sports Awards, endurance LIVE annually honors the top endurance athletes on the planet, a list that has included Olympic gold medalists, Ironman World Champions and Tour de France podium finishers. Winners of 2012 endurance LIVE Awards included: Celebrity Athlete of the Year Apolo Anton Ohno, Female Triathlete of the Year Chrissie Wellington, and Competitor of the Year Meb Keflezighi, among others.



For more information or to purchase a table for the 2013 endurance LIVE Gala, please visit enduranceLIVE.com.



About the REFUEL | "got chocolate milk?®" Campaign

The Milk Processor Education Program (MilkPEP), Washington, D.C., is funded by the nation's milk processors, who are committed to increasing fluid milk consumption. The National Fluid Milk Processor Promotion Board, through MilkPEP, runs the REFUEL | "got chocolate milk?®" Campaign, a multi-faceted campaign designed to educate athletes about the recovery benefits of lowfat chocolate milk after strenuous exercise. Lowfat chocolate milk is simple, effective and scientifically shown to help refuel the body so athletes can perform at their best. It's a natural source of high-quality protein to build lean muscle; it has the right mix of protein and carbs to refuel exhausted muscles; plus fluids and a natural source of electrolytes to rehydrate and help replenish what's lost in sweat. For more information, go to www.gotchocolatemilk.com.



About Competitor Group

Headquartered in San Diego, Calif., Competitor Group, Inc. (CGI) is the active lifestyle industry's leading media and event entertainment company. CGI is a portfolio company of the investment firm Falconhead Capital, which specializes in growing companies in the consumer sector of the leisure and lifestyle space. The aggregate CGI customer base now exceeds 7 million endurance enthusiasts and athletes. CGI's portfolio of media assets dominate the expanding endurance industry and include a robust digital community on the web and on mobile across the Competitor Endurance Sports Network of websites. Additionally, Raceit.com, a leading digital registration platform, is the catalyst for the company's race services offering that looks to meet the needs for not only the company's owned and operated events, but also for endurance events of all sizes on behalf of the entire industry.



With a leading market share of endurance enthusiasts, CGI owns and operates more than 83 events around the world, including the flagship Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Series in 34 international destinations, the Land Rover TriRock Triathlon Series, the NFL Run Series and the Columbia Muddy Buddy Series, collectively delivering more than 600,000 professional and amateur participants in 2012. Anchoring the company with rich content and marketing leverage are five publishing properties dedicated to running, cycling, triathlon and the world of multisport including Velo, Inside Triathlon, Triathlete, Women's Running and Competitor with a combined monthly circulation of over 700,000. Further information about CGI and its digital, publishing and event entertainment properties can be found at Competitormediakit.com



Team USA Minnesota Runners Coach Cross Country Teams

Athletes in post-collegiate Olympic development program give back to young aspiring runners by sharing leadership and expertise



MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL, Minn. - Six Team USA Minnesota distance runners coached either high school or college cross country teams this fall, including Antonio Vega, Jon Peterson, Heather Kampf, Meghan Peyton, Jamie Cheever and Chris Rombough.



Vega, Peterson and Kampf coached Twin Cities area high school teams which concluded their seasons at the Minnesota State High School Cross Country meet on Saturday, Nov. 3. Peyton, Cheever and Rombough are working with collegiate teams that will have their final championship meets by mid-November.


Vega was previously an assistant boys cross country coach at a south suburban Twin Cities high school and this year was named head boys and girls cross country coach at the Academy of Holy Angels, a private school in Richfield. "Coaching high school cross country is a fun and rewarding job although stepping in as a new head coach was pretty challenging," said Vega, who was the 2010 USA Half Marathon Champion and USA Track & Field Long Distance Runner of the Year.


"I most enjoy sharing my passion of running with others and seeing improvements that an athlete makes. Having a kid not be able to run a mile without walking at the start of the season to being able to run for an hour straight is the biggest reward as a coach. Plus seeing the enjoyment that kids have when they discover the sport of running is a great experience."


New Team USA Minnesota member Peterson, who graduated last June from the University of California, Davis, started his coaching duties in August when he moved to the Twin Cities. He was the assistant coach for the Edina High School boys cross country team, which placed second in the large school state meet. "Being entirely new to Minnesota along with being a new coach, it took some time to become acquainted with the team and each of the individuals in how to help them train to their potential," said Peterson, who was a Big West Conference cross country champion and has run 13:41 in the 5000m. "I most enjoyed seeing the team progress throughout the season and seeing the pieces come together as they continued their training."


At Apple Valley High School, Kampf marked her third year as assistant girls cross country coach. "The biggest challenge at Apple Valley this year was our numbers since we graduated 13 seniors last year," said Kampf, who is the 2012 USA 1 Mile Road champion and was seventh in the 800 meters at the U.S. Olympic Trials. "We're putting a lot of time into recruiting up-and-coming middle schoolers and tapping into athletes who don't play a fall sport, so hopefully we'll grow in the years to come.


"I was proud to send my first athlete to the state cross country meet this year but most importantly, I enjoy being a 'life coach' in addition to being a running coach. I believe that if I can guide my athletes to be healthy, confident and happy young women, I have done my job regardless of how they perform. It's so fun for me to share my own experiences with them and watch them apply it to their own performances and succeed."


Peyton and Cheever are both assistant coaches for the men's and women's cross country teams at Augsburg College, where Team USA Minnesota coach Dennis Barker is the head cross country coach. Peyton is in her third year with the teams and Cheever is in her first season at Augsburg. "It is so much fun to be involved in the sport at another level," said Peyton, who is a top competitor at distances ranging from the mile up through the 10 mile. "There is little that is more rewarding than to see those you coach succeed and overcome adversity."


According to Cheever, the athletes had some great performances at the conference meet and are looking forward to DIII regionals and nationals. "The part I most enjoy is spending time with the athletes and getting to share my experience and expertise," said Cheever, who was sixth at the 2012 USA Cross Country Championships and was in the steeplechase finals at the U.S. Olympic Trials. "I feel rewarded when an athlete has a particularly strong race or runs a PR."


Also coaching collegiate athletes is Rombough, who is in his third year as the volunteer assistant men's cross country coach at the University of Minnesota, which competes in DI. While at the U as a collegiate athlete, Rombough won the Big Ten Cross Country Championships.


About Team USA Minnesota
Team USA Minnesota is based in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis/St. Paul. Formed in 2001, the purpose of the training center is to improve the competitiveness of post-collegiate American distance running and to develop Olympians. The athletes are coached by Dennis Barker, head cross country and track coach at Augsburg College in Minneapolis. Team USA Minnesota's major sponsor is Life Time Run (www.lifetimerun.com) and its silver sponsor is Twin Cities In Motion (www.tcmevents.org). It is also supported by the New York Road Runners and the USA Distance Project. For more information, visit the team's web site at www.teamusaminnesota.org





XTERRA Trail Run World Championship Returns to Kualoa Ranch on Sunday, Dec. 2
Picturesque private working cattle ranch on Oahu will again serve as host site


KUALOA RANCH, Hawaii - December in Hawaii. It really doesn't get much better than that, but add the XTERRA Trail Run World Championship to that mix and now it's a must-do.



The XTERRA Trail Run World Championship is three weeks away, and it will once again take place at the incomparable Kualoa Ranch on the island of Oahu. The Sunday, December 2 event is open to runners of all ages and skill levels from anywhere in the world.



It will feature three courses - 21 kilometers, 10K and 5K. There is also an "adventure walk" for those who want to take their time and enjoy the natural beauty of the Ranch. More than 2,000 runners from 15 different countries and 33 states have already registered to participate.



The 21K course will serve as the world championship course, and a $10,000 prize purse will be at stake for the elite runners (the top seven men and top seven women can earn money). Age-group runners will compete for medals and the chance to earn a title of 2012 XTERRA Trail Run World Champion.



But the biggest lure of the event is the destination. Kualoa Ranch offers some of the most dynamic natural backdrops on Earth. Major movies such as Jurassic Park, Godzilla, Pearl Harbor, 50 First Dates and Tears of the Sun, and television series such as LOST and Hawaii Five-O have used Kualoa Ranch as a filming location. Kualoa Ranch is a privately-owned working cattle ranch so its trails are normally closed to the public. Thus, even local Hawaii runners will get a rare opportunity to run at the Ranch for this event.



As three-time XTERRA Trail Run age-group world champ Lee Saltonstall said: "It's difficult to stay focused on the trail because you just want to stop and gaze upon the surrounding ethereal mountains and valleys. Of all the trail races I have done, Kualoa Ranch is, by far, my favorite course to run. Challenging, for sure, but the setting embraces you with its bucolic beauty."



XTERRA TRAIL RUN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

When: Sunday, December 2, 9 a.m. start

Where: Kualoa Ranch, Oahu, Hawaii

Who: Open to runners of all ages and skill levels

Courses: 21K (championship course), 10K, 5K or "Adventure Walk"

Entry fees: $60 for 21K, $45 for 10K, $35 for 5K, $30 for Adventure Walk

Registration information: www.xterratrailrun.com







Contact Information


Running USA Media Office, (805) 966-7747. Running USA media director Ryan Lamppa is available for media interviews regarding distance running trends, data, and news.




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