Smail Advances To Finals In World Championships 3k Steeplechase

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 14, 2013




Smail Advances To Finals In World Championships 3k Steeplechase


(Colorado Springs, CO) - Nouredine Smail (France) finished third in the second qualifying heat of the men's 3,000-meter steeplechase at the IAAF World Championships of Athletics on Moscow, Russia, on Tuesday.


Catching his foot on the last hurdle, Smail nearly fell but regained his balance and was able to close on heat winner Evan Jager of the USA and two-time Olympic Gold Medalist and world-leader Ezekiel Kemboi of Kenya to nab the final automatic qualifying slot for Thursday's final.


Smail, who spent four months training with the ADP in Colorado Springs, brings the total number of French finalists in the event to three.


Heat 2 - Men's 3,000-meter Steeplechase
1 Evan JAGER USA 8:23.76 Q
2 Ezekiel KEMBOI KEN 8:23.84 Q
3 Noureddine SMAÏL FRA 8:24.05 Q
4 Jacob ARAPTANY UGA 8:24.53 q
5 Alex GENEST CAN 8:24.56 q
6 José PEÑA VEN 8:24.88
7 Steffen ULICZKA GER 8:28.32
8 Roberto ALAIZ ESP 8:33.32
9 James WILKINSON GBR 8:35.07
10 Roba GARI ETH 8:45.06
Jamel CHATBI ITA DQ R163.3
Abdelhamid ZERRIFI ALG DQ R163.3
Mohammed BOULAMA MAR DNF
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Tapia To Compete In World Championships Marathon


(Colorado Springs, CO) - Despite a last-minute selection and challenges in obtaining a Russian visa, Daniel Tapia (Mizuno) will compete in Saturday's IAAF World Championships of Athletics marathon in Moscow, Russia. Tapia was selected based upon his 9th-place 2:14:30 finish at the 2013 Boston Marathon after Mo Trafeh withdrew from the USA squad four weeks out.

Daniel Tapia (North Monterey County HS, Castroville 2004; Hartnell College, Salinas)
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Kanuho & Korir Take Third In Pikes Peak High Altitude Mile


(Colorado Springs, CO) - In her professional post-collegiate debut, Rochelle Kanuho (adidas/BRC) finished 3rd at the inaugural Pikes Peak High-Altitude Mile held Tuesday morning on the summit of Pikes Peak at 14,115-feet. Kanuho kicked past teammate Adrian Neal over the last 100-meters of the race to earn bronze and $250 in prize money. Neal picked up $100 for her efforts. Challenged by the extremely high altitude, Kanuho posted a time of 6:09.98 and Neal ran 6:13.37. Nicole Mericle won, setting the High-Altitude standard at 5:53.37.


In the men's race, Leonard Korir (Nike) held on for third with a time of 4:51.93, while Dey Dey (adidas/BRC) managed fourth a tick behind. The duo also picked up $250 and $100 in prize money, respectively. Scott Dahlberg won the inaugural event in 4:48.
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Thomas To Compete In America's Finest City Half Marathon


(Colorado Springs, CO) - Wendy Thomas (adidas/BRC) is set to compete in Sunday's America's Finest City Half Marathon in San Diego, CA. Thomas, who is preparing for the USA Marathon Championships to be hosted by the Twin Cities Marathon in October, has a half marathon best of 1:12:56 and will be competing for over $4,000 in prize money with $1500 for the event winner
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ABOUT AMERICAN DISTANCE PROJECT
The American Distance Project is a non-profit organization whose primary goal is the development of American distance runners to be internationally competitive. The ADP is located on the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, taking advantage of incredible training resources in and around Colorado Springs and Woodland Park. The ADP is coached by Renato Canova and Scott Simmons. For more information, visit www.AmericanDistanceProject.com

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Contact:
Scott Simmons
www.AmericanDistanceProject.com
scott@distancesummit.com