Running USA wire 15-02-13

Issue 15-02-13 February 20, 2013


Upcoming Events
Ragnar Relay Del Sol, Prescott-Tempe, AZ, Feb. 22-23
The Cowtown Race Weekend, Fort Worth, TX, Feb. 22-24
Disney's Princess Half-Marathon Weekend, Lake Buena Vista, FL, Feb. 23-24
Russell Forest Run, Alexander City, AL, Feb. 23
XTERRA Thrill in the Hills Trail Run, Winder, GA, Feb. 23
Arizona Distance Classic, Oro Valley, AZ, Feb. 24
Lady Speed Stick Women's Half-Marathon San Diego, San Diego, CA, Feb. 24
World's Best 10K, San Juan, PR, Feb. 24
Rock 'n' Roll New Orleans Marathon, New Orleans, LA, Feb. 24
Running USA 2013: The Industry Conference: A Bold Past, A Bright Future, Savannah, GA, February 24-26
For more upcoming events for 2013, visit the Running USA Website event calendar.




Running USA 2013's Big Night:
Hall of Champions Dinner & Auction



COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - (February 20, 2013) - One of the Running USA 2013 conference highlights for attendees will be the Monday, February 25 evening Hall of Champions Dinner & Auction presented by Competitor Group at the Hyatt Regency Savannah, Georgia.

The banquet will present the induction of the tenth class of Running USA's Hall of Champions that recognizes individuals who have made important and noteworthy contributions to the sport of running. Last year's honoree was running legend and 1984 Olympic Marathon champion Joan Benoit Samuelson.


In addition, at the 10th Industry Conference dinner, Running USA will announce the 4th Allan Steinfeld Development Award winner. The annual $25,000 grant from the live and silent auction proceeds goes to a top U.S. training group. Established U.S. distance training centers were invited to apply for the 2013 grant, and from four finalists (American Distance Project, New Jersey-New York Track Club, Team USA Minnesota or ZAP Fitness), Running USA will announce and fete the winning team.



"Our Hall of Champions Dinner & Auction is certainly one of the highlights of our annual conference. The energy in the room with the induction ceremony, the Allan Steinfeld Development Award presentation and live auction is electric and inspiring," said Susan Weeks, Running USA CEO.



At Running USA 2010, the inaugural development award was announced and named after Allan Steinfeld, a long-time leader in the sport, who jump-started the U.S. distance running resurgence when as head of the New York Road Runners he allocated $20,000 seed money ($1 per U.S. entry at the 2000 New York City Marathon) for the development program Team USA Distance Running launched in November 2000 that produced top training groups such as Team Running USA (two Olympic medals in 2004 and major marathon wins) and inspired others to be established.


Read the full story at RunningUSA.org
Lagat to Make Half-Marathon Debut
at NYC Half


NEW YORK CITY - Bernard Lagat (right, PhotoRun.net) will take on the longest race of his career in his half-marathon debut at the NYC Half on Sunday, March 17, it was announced by New York Road Runners president and CEO Mary Wittenberg.


"We are simply thrilled to host Bernard Lagat, one of the greatest runners our sport has ever seen, in his debut at the half-marathon distance," said Wittenberg. "Bernard already has a storied history in New York City; he's inspired us with his dominance at the Wanamaker Mile and his perseverance at the Fifth Avenue Mile, racing year after year until he finally captured the crown. If he can win the NYC Half, he'll be the first winner of the Fifth Avenue Mile, the Wanamaker Mile and the NYC Half, a trifecta that would be just another indication of Bernard's talents and range."



One of America's most decorated runners, Lagat was victorious yet again at the Millrose Games on Saturday night, reclaiming the American indoor record in the two-mile with a time of 8:09.49. He also ran 7:34.71 for 3000 meters earlier this month in Karlsruhe, Germany.




Read the rest of the story at RunningUSA.org
2012 Champions Return to Defend
Napa Valley Marathon Titles



NAPA, Calif. - 2012 Kaiser Permanente Napa Valley Marathon champions
Chris Mocko and Devon Yanko (née Crosby-Helms) will return to the 35th edition event to defend their titles on Sunday, March 3, 2013. A strong field of invited runners will head the sold-out crowd of 2,600 marathon participants who will cover the fast and scenic 26.2-mile course through the Napa Valley wine country. Only one man and one woman, however, will take home the coveted first place prize: their weight in distinguished Napa Valley wine.


In fact, both Mocko (San Francisco, Calif.) and Yanko (San Anselmo, Calif.) will attempt to ascend the winner's podium for the third time at the Napa Valley Marathon (NVM). Mocko won the men's race the past two years (2011 and 2012). To date, no athlete, man or woman, has won the 34-year-old race three consecutive times. The record for the most wins at NVM is held by
Mary Coordt (Elk Grove, Calif.). Coordt captured the women's crown four non-consecutive times (1997, 2005, 2009, 2010).

In addition, 1984 Olympic marathon gold medalist Joan Benoit Samuelson will compete, but not in the marathon. She is entered in the companion Greater Kiwanis Club of Napa 5K on marathon morning. Benoit Samuelson turned 55 last year, and now competes in the women's 55-59 age group. She will aim her sights on the current U.S. 5K record for age 55-59 women which is 18:32 set by Shirley Matson at the Carlsbad 5000 in 1997.


Read the rest of the story at RunningUSA.org
Dick's Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon Offers SAFE STRIDES
Self-Defense Program

PITTSBURGH - A Woman of Steel does what it takes to run through snow, rain and heat to reach amazing personal goals. But even a short training run can turn into an unexpected training exercise in self-defense if you are attacked or simply caught off guard in a threatening way.


On Thursday, Feb. 21, the 5th Dick's Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon will offer the inaugural SAFE STRIDES, a FREE personal self-defense program presented by Wells Fargo Advisors. At 6PM in Bakery Square (6425 Penn Avenue), renowned personal self-defense expert Craig Douglas will share tips on how to stay safe not only when running, but also in everyday situations.



"I cannot stress enough the importance of safety as a runner regardless of gender," said Patrice Matamoros, Dick's Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon Race Director. "The tactics and tips that you will learn in a few hours could end up preventing an attack or saving your life."



Read the rest of the story at RunningUSA.org


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In case you missed it on RunningUSA.org






Kastor Masters the Field

at Kaiser Permanente

Rock 'n' Roll Pasadena

PASADENA, Calif. - Just three days after her 40th birthday, American half-marathon and marathon record holder Deena Kastor won her first race as a Masters runner on Sunday morning at the Kaiser Permanente Rock 'n' Roll Pasadena Half Marathon
benefiting CureMito! Kastor (below, PhotoRun.net image), who is training for next month's ASICS Los Angeles Marathon, easily won the 13.1-mile race with a time of 1 hour, 12 minutes, 57 seconds.





In the men's race Adam Kovacs of Hungary broke away from Glenn Randall at the 20K mark to win in 1:06:42. Randall, noteworthy for leading the first 10K of last year's Boston Marathon, finished second in 1:07:08. Defending champion Sergio Reyes placed third in 1:08:49.


Read the rest of the story on RunningUSA.org





Powerful International Field to Challenge Mo Farah in Crescent City


NEW ORLEANS, La. - This Sunday's Rock 'n' Roll New Orleans Marathon & ½ Marathon will showcase some of the biggest names in running. Double Olympic 5,000 and 10,000 meter gold medalist Mo Farah headlines men's race, but he will face some very strong competition on the fast and flat course.



Farah is coming into Sunday's race having run 7:42 to win over 3,000 meters Saturday at the British Grand Prix in Birmingham. His half-marathon personal best is 1:00:23, the fastest time ever run by a Briton.




In order to get the victory in New Orleans, Farah will have to stave off a formidable field of contenders. Foremost among them is Kenyan Martin Lel, a three-time champion of the London Marathon and winner of the first Rock 'n' Roll New Orleans Half Marathon in 2010. One of the world's most dominant athletes over the marathon distance, Lel is a former World Half Marathon Champion who most recently won the Vodafone Rock 'n' Roll Lisbon Half Marathon RTP last September in 1:01:28. (Image: Martin Lel with Sammy Wanjuri at the first Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon in New Orleans, credit PhotoRun.net)




In addition to Lel, the star-studded men's field includes Ethiopia's Gebre Gebremariam, the 2010 ING New York City Marathon champion who finished second to Farah at the NYC Half in 2011; Ethiopia's Markos Geneti, who won the 2011 Los Angeles Marathon and owns a marathon best of 2:04:54 finishing third in Dubai last year; Kenya's Cybrian Kotut, a 21-year-old who finished fourth at Rock 'n' Roll Lisbon last year with a time of 1:02:25; and
Scott Overall of Great Britain, who owns a half-marathon best of 1:01:25 and is prepping for the Virgin London Marathon in April.



Read the rest of the story on RunningUSA.org











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