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In this edition:
Mack, Hall Win USA Cross Country Crowns in St. Louis
Professional Field Announced for 2012 Boston Marathon
Floridians Neilson, Crate Victorious at Rock 'n' Roll St. Pete Half Marathon
Top School in Healthy Kids Fun Run Receives Award
UPCOMING EVENTS
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House of Hope Run Around the Pines 5K, Winter Park, FL, February 18
The Big Chill Run, Pewaukee, WI, February 18
Snowman Stampede 5 & 10 Milers, Littleton, CO, Feb 18
Ft. Lauderdale A1A Marathon & Half, FL, February 19
LIVESTRONG Austin Marathon & Half-Marathon, TX, February 19
IMS Arizona Marathon, Glendale, AZ, February 19
Inaugural Rock 'n' Roll Pasadena Half-Marathon, CA, Feb 19
Ragnar Relay Del Sol, Prescott-Tempe, AZ, February 24
15th World's Best 10K, San Juan, PUR, February 25
Russell Forest Run, Alexander City, AL, February 25
Cowtown Marathon Weekend, Fort Worth, TX, February 25-26
Disney's Princess Half-Marathon, Lake Buena Vista, FL, Feb 26
Finish Chelsea's Run 5K, San Diego, CA, March 3
Little Rock Marathon Weekend, Little Rock, AR, March 3-4
Orange Blossom Half-Marathon & 5K, Tavares, FL, March 4
USA 50K Road Championships, Caumsett SP, NY, March 4
13.1 Miami Beach, Miami. FL, March 4
That Dam Run Half-Marathon & 5K, Denver, CO, March 4
Kaiser Permanente Napa Valley Marathon, Napa, CA, March 4
Mack, Hall Win USA Cross Country Crowns in St. Louis
Lowry, Osika Junior champions; Christian Cushing-Murray, Zieger Masters titlists
By Jim Estes, USATF
ST. LOUIS - (February 11, 2012) - Sara Hall (Flagstaff, Ariz.) and Bobby Mack (Raleigh, N.C.) each used late charges to outrun the competition as each won their first career USA Cross Country crowns Saturday at Forest Park in St. Louis.
The national turf championships consisted of six races for men's and women's categories, with national titles on the line for Junior (19 and under), Masters (40 and older) and Open divisions. The nation's premier cross country event featured $35,000 in prize money.
The Senior women's 8K saw pre-race favorite Molly Huddle (Providence, R.I.) take command of the lead pack that included Hall, five-time USA Cross Country team member Renee Metivier Baillie (Bend, Ore.), Liz Costello (Knoxville, Tenn.) and Laura Thweatt (Boulder, Colo.).
After 3K, Huddle held a one-step advantage over Hall, with Costello close behind. Over the final 2K loop, Huddle looked to be in charge but could never pull completely clear of Hall. Charging down the home straight, Hall, 28, made one final rally to edge Huddle at the line in a photo finish. Hall and Huddle were both timed in 26 minutes, 51 seconds. Costello held on to finish third in 27:18.
"It was hard to kick in the last 300 meters like I normally would. I was having trouble on the muddier parts of the course. It's an honor to be able to run longer distances this season, and I hope that it's a good sign and that it will bode well for the rest of the year," Hall said.
SENIOR MEN
In the final race of the day, Mack ran patiently behind Aaron Braun (Flagstaff, Ariz.) as they led over the 12K course a pack that included Josh Simpson (Morgantown, W.V.), Chris Rombough (St. Paul, Minn.) and Jeff Schirmer (Carbondale, Ill.).
Over the last kilometer, Mack, 27, made his move on the final hill on the course, pulling away to run 35:42 for a ten second win over Braun. Simpson took third in 36:04.
"I was feeling pretty smooth going over the last hill. I started to get the feel of the race over the last two loops. I wanted to make sure I had enough to finish strong. I was feeling confident in my finish at the end. I enjoy competing on a cross country course like this that is rolling unlike a golf course. I felt real comfortable today. I'd like to think that I'm versatile enough on the track and the roads to compete at this level," Mack stated.
JUNIOR WOMEN
The Junior women's 6K was the first of the day to determine the Team USA spots for NACAC, and University of Michigan freshman Shannon Osika waited patiently among a group of runners to earn her first national title, winning the race in a time of 21:05, while Margaret Drazba (St. Mary's, W.V.) was runner-up in 21:08 and Macy Bricks (Clovis, Calif.) took third in 21:11.
JUNIOR MEN
In the Junior men's 8K, Syracuse University freshman Jace Lowry (Paragon, Ind.) used the same strategy as Osika as he waited until the final hill with a group of five runners to attack and take home the victory, winning in a time of 24:55, three seconds up on the University of Minnesota duo of Adam Zutz (St. Francis, Minn.) and Aaron Bartnik (Eden Prairie, Minn.), who ran 24:58.
In addition to the national titles on the line in St. Louis, Open and Junior men and women also qualified to represent Team USA at the North American, Central American, Caribbean (NACAC) Cross Country Championships March 17 in Port of Spain, Trinidad.
MASTERS CHAMPIONSHIPS
National titles were also decided for Masters men and women at 8K in five-year age groups beginning at age 40 to 44.
The first championship race of the day saw Joanna Zieger, 41, (Boulder, Colo.) take the overall Masters women's title, running 30:05 for a 16-second win over Jody Hawkins, 45, (Blooming Grove, Texas).
The overall Masters men's title went to Christian Cushing-Murray, 44, (Santa Ana, Calif.) as he ran 26:09 for a three-second win over Rusty Snow, 42, (Santa Barbara, Calif.).
The top age-graded Masters runners were Kevin Miller, 50, (Olathe, Kan.) and Kathryn Martin, 60, (Northport, N.Y.) who ran 26:54 (age-grade 90.13%) and 33:44 (age-grade 92.25%) respectively.
Highlights of the USA Cross Country Championships are available in cooperation with RunnerSpace.com at: www.USARunningCircuit.com
The 2013 edition of the USA Cross Country Championships will also be held at Forest Park in St. Louis.
USA Cross Country Championships
St. Louis, MO, Saturday, February 11, 2012
MEN - 12K
1) Bobby Mack (NC), 35:42, $3500
2) Aaron Braun (AZ), 35:52, $2000
3) Josh Simpson (WV), 36:04, $1400
4) Chris Rombough (MN), 36:09, $1000
5) Jeff Schirmer (IL), 36:16, $600
6) Elliot Krause (WI), 36:22, $500
7) Chris Landry (MI), 36:29, $400
8) Kyle Alcorn (AZ), 36:55, $300 BUCHANAN HS, CLOVIS 2003; OREGON 2005; ARIZONA STATE 2008)
9) Matt Williams (CO), 36:58, $200
10) Mark Parrish (FL), 37:00, $100
WOMEN - 8K
1) Sara Hall (AZ), 26:51, $3500 MONTGOMERY HS, SANTA ROSA 2001; STANFORD 2005)
2) Molly Huddle (RI), 26:51, $2000
3) Liz Costello (TN), 27:18, $1400
4) Renee Metivier Baillie (OR), 27:23, $1000
5) Laura Thweatt (CO), 27:28, $600
6) Jamie Cheever (MN), 27:48, $500
7) Stephanie Garcia (TN), 27:59, $400
8) Hilary Orf (MO), 28:02, $300
9) Ariana Fisher (OH), 28:03, $200
10) Kaitlin Gregg (CA), 28:07, $100 DAVIS HS; UC DAVIS; NEW BALANCE SILICON VALLEY
NOTE: A $1000 stipend will be awarded to each of the 5 Open men and 5 Open women who represent Team USA at the March 17 NACAC Cross Country Championships in Port of Spain, Trinidad.
Complete results and more at: www.usatf.org/events/2012/USAXCChampionships/results.asp
Professional Field Announced for 2012 Boston Marathon
Top international field, including defending champions Mutai and Kilel, expected at 116th running of storied 26.2 mile road race; 2012 marks 27th year of John Hancock's landmark sponsorship of event and 150th anniversary of company's founding
BOSTON - (February 9, 2012) - In its 27th year as principal sponsor of the Boston Marathon, John Hancock Financial has announced the professional field for the 116th running of the Boston Marathon on Monday, April 16.
Reigning champions Geoffrey Mutai and Caroline Kilel will defend their titles, but will be challenged by the fastest men's and women's fields ever assembled for the Boston Marathon. With 31 contenders setting their personal best time in the past two years, including eight men under 2:07 and ten women under 2:24, the race will prove highly competitive.
Last year, Mutai ran an unmatched 2 hour, 3 minute, 2 second World Best on Boston's certified course, without the aid of pacesetters, and then followed that accomplishment with a course record win in New York City. Mutai is now the fastest marathoner in history, and the only man to ever set course records at Boston and New York in the same year.
Top contenders challenging Mutai include last year's third place finisher and 2010 ING New York City champion Gebre Gebremariam, 2010 Boston champion Robert Kiprono Cheruiyot, 2011 Amsterdam and Rotterdam winner Wilson Chebet, and 2011 Chicago second and third place finishers Wesley Korir and Bernard Kipyego.
Young talent clipping their heels include 2011 Fukuoka champion Josphat Ndambiri, 2:05 marathoner Levy Matebo, 2011 Amsterdam runner-up Laban Korir, 2012 Xiamen winner Peter Kamais, 2011 Dubai champion David Barmasai, and half-marathon specialist Mathew Kisorio.
Americans Antonio Vega and Jason Hartmann, Kenyans Frankline Chepkwony and Dickson Chumba, and Netherlander Michel Butter are also in the pro field.
On the women's side, the historic race in Boston has been decided over the past four years by three seconds or less. Last year Caroline Kilel turned in another close race as she traded the lead with American Desiree Davila (HILLTOP HS, CHULA VISTA 2001; ARIZONA 2005)several times down the finishing stretch of Boylston Street. Kilel ultimately triumphed by two seconds over Davila for the 2:22:36 win, before collapsing in exhaustion.
Chasing Kilel are fellow Kenyans Sharon Cherop and Caroline Rotich. Cherop and Rotich ran with Kilel through the final miles last year in Boston before finishing third and fourth respectively. They eagerly await the rematch.
A strong Ethiopian contingent will also seek the crown. Last year's New York City winner Firehiwot Dado and runner-up Buzunesh Deba team up again and joining the pair is Aselefech Mergia, the Dubai winner and newly crowned 2:19:31 national record holder. Also in the mix will be the talented Mamitu Daska, who won Frankfurt last year, setting a new course record.
The Boston-New York and Kenyan-Ethiopian rivalries should prove exciting, but working to break up the leaders will be a top Russian team: Galina Bogomolova, Alevtina Biktimirova, Nadezdha Leonteva and 2010 Boston runner-up Tatyana Pushkareva will work together to return the coveted title to Russia.
Additional talent includes 2006 Boston Marathon champion Rita Jeptoo, Ashu Kasim, Agnes Kiprop, Georgina Rono, Diana Sigei and Genet Getaneh.
"For 27 years, John Hancock, as principal sponsor, has honored its commitment to bring the world's top runners to the historic Boston Marathon to ensure that it remains among the world's most premier sporting events," said Rob Friedman, head of Sponsorship and Event Marketing at John Hancock. "In celebration of our 150th anniversary as a company, this year's field is faster and more competitive than ever before. We know these talented runners will provide the millions of fans around the world with another spectacular race, and we are counting down the days to April 16th."
"One of the cornerstones of any top marathon in the world is the elite field. Through the superb collaborative efforts with our long-standing partner, John Hancock, and its recruitment excellence over the past 27 years, the Boston Marathon has continued to thrive on fast times and a true competitive nature," said Tom Grilk, B.A.A. Executive Director. "John Hancock's sponsorship of our elite runners in this year's event will no doubt once again inspire all those associated with the race. It is a model partnership that works extraordinarily well for everyone."
Visit bostonmarathon.org for more race information.
Floridians Neilson, Crate Victorious at Rock 'n' Roll St. Pete Half Marathon
Two-time Olympic Softball gold medalist Michele Smith completes inaugural event; chart topping headliner Flo Rida provides 'Good Feeling' for runners
By Dan Cruz, Competitor Group
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - (February 12, 2012) - A brisk morning turned into a hot nightclub dance floor as more than 8,000 runners were left with nothing but Good Feeling on Sunday as internationally acclaimed hip-hop artist Flo Rida delivered #1 hit after #1 hit for a rocking post-race concert at the inaugural Rock 'n' Roll St. Pete Half Marathon.
A pair of 26-year-old Floridians took home first prize on the flat, scenic course that featured several St. Petersburg landmarks including the Dali Museum, Mahaffey Theater, St. Pete Pier, Renaissance Vinoy Resort and North Shores Park. Paul Nielson of Orlando took the lead at mile 1 and never looked back to break the finish tape in 1 hour, 8 minutes and 58 seconds.
"The first three miles were cold, but I warmed up pretty nice," said Neilson, who took home $1500 in first-place prize money. "It was a great event and very organized. My goal was to run under 1:09. I wasn't expecting to win, but I'll take it. I've only been to St. Pete a couple times and this was a great way to see the city."
Satellite Beach resident Jessica Crate pulled away from two-time Los Angeles Marathon champion Lyubov Denisov, 40, of Russia at mile 5 to win the women's race in 1:19:05, setting a new personal record.
"We ran together for the first four miles, and then I broke away and just tried to maintain that pace throughout the whole way," said Crate, who won the Gasparilla Half Marathon last year. "It was an amazing race, the energy and bands were awesome. Mile eight was when it started to get tough and there was a band out there, I don't know who they are, but they were loud and crazy and awesome."
Softball Olympian Michele Smith, a two-time Olympic gold medalist with Team USA, completed the 13.1-mile course in 1:50:25. The St. Petersburg resident is a 7-time Japanese Pro League Champion & MVP, and member of the ASA Softball Hall of Fame.
As the sunshine began to warm things up at 10:00am, the post-race celebration was well underway as the artist with the hottest single on the radio took the main stage to the cheers of thousands of runners and arm-waving spectators. After opening with several of his chart-topping hits, Flo Rida welcomed dozens of runners' onstage wearing medals, race bibs and mylar blankets to dance to his smash hit Low.
His performance concluded with the #1 pop song in the country, Good Feeling, which he dedicated to the "late, great" Whitney Houston. Ever the showman, Flo Rida gave away his shirt, shoes and his gold chain, departing straight from the performance to attend the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday night.
"Flo Rida was one of the all-time great post-race concerts in the history of the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Series," said Scott Dickey, President of Competitor Group, organizer of the event. "Rock 'n' Roll brought the runners, but St. Pete delivered a fantastic experience at an incredible venue along the waterfront. To have a Grammy-nominated artist play to the crowd with such energy was unforgettable and his performance has certainly heightened anticipation of this event for years to come."
The 2nd Rock 'n' Roll St. Pete Half Marathon is scheduled for Sunday, February 10, 2013.
Inaugural Rock 'n' Roll St. Pete Half-Marathon
St. Petersburg, FL, Sunday, February 12, 2012
MEN
1) Paul Neilson, 26, Orlando, FL, 1:08:58, $1500
2) Davis McCollom, 32, Bridgeport, WV, 1:10:31, $500
3) Joshua Wakeman, 23, Tarpon Springs, FL, 1:12:53, $250
WOMEN
1) Jessica Crate, 26, Satellite Beach, FL, 1:19:05, $1500
2) Lyubov Denisov, 40, Russia, 1:20:35, $500
3) Loni Smith, 30, Lakeland, FL, 1:21:42, $250
Full results, photos and more at: www.runrocknroll.competitor.com
Top School in Healthy Kids Fun Run Receives Award
MCM presents Healthy School Award to Lynbrook Elementary on Feb. 8; school a recipient for 12 consecutive years
QUANTICO, Va. - (Feb. 8, 2012) - Five hundred students of Lynbrook Elementary in Fairfax, Virginia gathered on Wednesday, Feb. 8 to receive the Healthy School Award from the Marine Corps Marathon (MCM) and its partner Sodexo. The award assembly was held at 1:45pm in the school gym located at 5801 Backlick Road in Springfield.
For 12 consecutive years, Lynbrook Elementary has received the Healthy School Award for having the largest number of students in the Healthy Kids Fun Run, making it the leader among participating schools. In 2011, Lynbrook registered 300 for the one-mile fun run that was held on Oct. 29 in Arlington, VA.
"Since the Healthy Kids Fun Ran began, the teachers and parents of Lynbrook Elementary have taken an active role motivating their students to participate and serving as a model for other schools that also benefit from the Healthy School Award program," says Angela Huff, MCM Deputy Director.
As part of the Healthy School Award, Lynbrook Elementary will receive $1000 and each student will receive healthy snacks from MCM sponsor Sodexo. Also in conjunction with the award assembly, the National Children's Museum's "Museum Without Walls" team will feature programming focusing on physical fitness and activity for the students during the school day.
MCM Director Rick Nealis and Miles the bulldog mascot presented the Healthy School Award to Lynbrook administrators and teachers, while U.S. Marines from Marine Corps Base Quantico performed PT exercises with the students. Traditionally, Lynbrook also added their own pageantry to the ceremony by raising a championship banner to the school gym rafters.
Lynbrook Elementary is one of five Northern Virginia schools to receive the Healthy School Award. The final award presentation will be held at George Mason Elementary School in Alexandria, VA on Feb. 16.
The 2012 Healthy Kids Fun Run opens for online registration at noon Eastern on April 4 at www.marinemarathon.com. Parents can register kids for the event that will be held on Saturday, Oct. 27. Schools or organizations interested in registering groups of students can contact Amy Beaulieu, MCM Communications Coordinator at amy.beaulieu@usmc.mil or (703) 784-2357.
Voted the "Best Marathon for Families" and the "Best Marathon in the Mid Atlantic", the Marine Corps Marathon honors the dedication, sportsmanship and patriotism of its participants. Runners from all walks of life participate in the largest marathon not to offer prize money, earning the name "The People's Marathon".
Contact Information
Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Director, ryan@runningusa.org, (805) 696-6232
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