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Shay, Johnson Lane Win USA 20K Titles at New Haven
By Jim Gerweck, Running USA wire

NEW HAVEN, Conn. - (Sept. 6, 2004) - Ryan Shay cemented his credentials as the king of the American "middle distance" road racers and Turena Johnson Lane established hers at the NewAlliance New Haven 20K Road Race, which served as the men and women's national championships.

Shay, 25, who defended his U.S. title at the half-marathon distance this June, added the "metric half" to his resume with a solid win in the first major road event since the conclusion of the Athens Olympics. Shay used the knowledge he's gained from training in Mammoth Lakes, Calif. with Team Running USA teammate Meb Keflezighi, who won the Olympic Marathon silver medal in Athens and set a U.S. record at New Haven last year, to pull away from a strong pack in the final two miles of the race.

"Training with Meb has taught me so much," said Shay. "When I told him one of my goals was to win New Haven, he said 'train with me and I'll show you how'. One of the most important things I've gotten from him is how to recover from your hard training efforts, and I think I came here ready to race."

With almost everyone in the field pointing toward some fall marathon, it wasn't a question of who was fittest, but rather, the most rested. Teddy Mitchell, one of the few non-marathoners, did much of the early pacesetting in the best conditions (cool and dry) the race has ever experienced. A pack of about a dozen stayed with him, and was gradually whittled to nine by the halfway point, which was reached in 29:43. 2000 Olympian Nick Rogers began to push things there, and only Mitchell, Shay, Teren Jameson, Matt Downin and Chris Graff could hang on.

Just before 10 miles, on the one major climb on the course, Rogers fell back with a muscle cramp and as the pack crested the hill, Jameson made the first move, which Shay covered and then met with one of his own.

"My plan was to respond to what the others were doing, but at that point I decided I needed to become proactive," said Shay, a Notre Dame grad.

He motored the last two miles at 4:42 pace to finish in 59:53, holding off the chase by Graff, who had bested him at the Olympic Trials 10,000.

"I could feel my form starting to go with each stride, so I just tried to hang on for second," said Graff, the 2003 USA 10 Mile champion.

Downin, Jameson and Mitchell rounded out the top five.

While Shay came into the men's race as a nominal favorite, the women's field, without defending champ Marla Runyan and former winner Colleen De Reuck, both recuperating from their Olympic efforts, was completely wide open. So it was only mildly surprising when Team USA Minnesota's Dana Coons took the lead at two miles and held it for three miles.

"I was just feeling good, and decided to go for it and see what happened," Coons relayed.

She was joined at five miles by Johnson Lane, whose travels to get to the New Haven were probably more taxing than covering the 20K on foot. First, her flight from Georgia was delayed by Hurricane Frances, and when she finally got out, she missed her connection and had to spend Saturday night in Cincinnati, without her luggage. "I had my carry on toothbrush and that was it," she said.

Johnson Lane and Coons ran together for a few miles before the former began pulling away between eight and nine. "There was no big move or anything," she said. "I just kept holding my pace and Dana gradually dropped off."

Johnson Lane's 68:49 victory in her second run at New Haven was her first in a major road race and first national title. "I've been on the circuit for a few years, but this is obviously my biggest accomplishment."

It also gives her confidence heading into next month's Twin Cities Marathon, as does Shay's run in preparation for November's ING New York City Marathon. "I was looking for this race to tell me how my training is going, what needs tweaking, and basically it shows me that everything's right on track. I just need to keep doing what I'm doing, it's working."

Two significant pending U.S. female age group records were set as well. Debbi Kilpatrick-Morris, who won the USA 25K Championship this year, ran 1:11:39 to take 60 seconds off the 40-44 mark set by Linda Somers Smith here two years ago, and Kathryn Martin lowered her own 50-54 record set here last year by five seconds to 1:17:46.

As a USA Championship, the New Haven 20K is also part of the 2004 USA Running Circuit (USARC), a USA Track & Field road series. With his victory, Shay, the defending men's USARC Grand Prix champion, earned 15 points to move into second place in the standings behind training partner Keflezighi, 54 points to 52. With one women's Circuit race remaining (Tufts 10K on Oct. 11), Colleen De Reuck has secured the GP title for the third straight year. The next men's USARC race is the CVS/pharmacy Downtown 5K on Sept. 12 in Providence, R.I.

27th NewAlliance New Haven 20K: USA Championships
New Haven, CT, Monday, September 6, 2004

MEN
1) Ryan Shay (MI), 59:53, $6000
2) Chris Graff (CA), 1:00:07, $3500
3) Matt Downin (CA), 1:00:10, $2500
4) Teren Jameson (UT), 1:00:16, $1500
5) Teddy Mitchell (NM), 1:00:34, $1000
6) Dave Davis (OR), 1:01:46, $800
7) Justin Young (CO), 1:01:59, $600
8) Nick Rogers (OR), 1:02:08, $500
9) Ryan Meissen (WI), 1:02:12, $400
10) Kevin Collins (NM), 1:02:19, $200

WOMEN
1) Turena Johnson Lane (GA), 1:08:49, $6000
2) Dana Coons (MN), 1:09:13, $3500
3) Jenny Crain (OR), 1:10:58, $2500
4) Liz Wilson (OR), 1:11:10, $1500
5) Rachel Kinsman (OH), 1:11:29, $1000
6) Debbi Kilpatrick-Morris (OH), 1:11:39, $800
7) Heather Tanner (CA), 1:11:46, $600
8) Diana Bowser (MA), 1:12:28, $500
9) Emily Jameson (UT), 1:12:37, $400
10) Melissa White (MI) 1:12:52, $200

For deeper results, visit the race website at: www.newhavenroadrace.org.

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TOROITICH EARNS RECORD PRIZE FOR ROCK 'N' ROLL HALF VICTORY

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - (Sept. 5, 2004) - It was only one small step, but for champion Haron Toroitich the final step of the fourth Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon in Virginia Beach was the only one of thousands he took that counted. By nipping fellow Kenyan Joshua Chelanga with his last stride - both were timed in 1:01:55 - the 26-year-old Toroitich earned the $12,000 first place check plus a $25,000 musical marathon bonus awarded to the athlete who wins both the 2004 P.F. Chang's Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon and any of the other three musical races staged by Elite Racing in 2004.

"I will put up a building in Kenya and call it Virginia," said the champion about what he'd do with his winnings.

In the women's competition, which began 15 minutes before the elite men and masses, Romania's Nuta Olaru used a disappointing 13th place finish at last month's Olympic Marathon in Athens to motivate her to a runaway win in Virginia Beach. She crossed the line in a time of 1:10:50.

"This was revenge for Athens and a great way to prepare for the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon in October," admitted Olaru, who placed third here in 2002.

"I broke the pace after the first mile, because it was too slow," said Olaru of her tactics. "From there, I was following the watch."

Her lead swelled throughout the race, cresting to a 2:08 advantage at the finish, the largest margin of victory in event history. Japan's Ai Yamamoto, 1:12:58, took second with countrywoman Kiyoko Shimahara in third in 1:13:05.

The men began the competition even more hesitantly than the women. It wasn't until the fifth mile on General Booth Boulevard that they unfurled their sails in the following wind. From miles 9 to 11 the pack had been reduced to Toroitich, Chelanga and Laban Kipkemboi. Down the boardwalk for the final two miles, Toroitich and Chelanga broke free, setting up their final sprint.

"From the start I knew Joshua was a good runner," explained Toroitich. "The last two miles I was trying to get away from him, but he resisted. So I said, 'Let the finish line decide.' The last 100 meters, that's where the game was."

In all, a total of $105,00 was awarded, the richest purse for a half-marathon in the U.S.

Atlanta's Scot Hollonbeck won the wheelchair division in 50:24, a 3:50 per mile average.

A record 16,000 entrants joined the elite fields on an overcast but blustery day along the Atlantic shoreline, including 600 from The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team In Training program who raised a total of $1.2 million (net) for this year's event.

Sixteen cheer squads and over 20 bands lined the course to entertain and motivate the runners at the country's second largest half-marathon. The evening capped off with a double headliner concert featuring Sugar Ray and Collective Soul.

4th Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon
Virginia Beach, VA, Sunday, September 5, 2004

MEN
1) Haron Toroitich, 26, KEN, 1:01:55, $37,000*
2) Joshua Chelanga, 31, KEN, 1:01:55, $7000
3) Laban Kipkemboi, 26, KEN, 1:02:25, $5000
4) Yusuf Songoka, 25, KEN, 1:03:22, $3,000
5) Christopher Cheboiboch, 27, KEN, 1:03:32, $2000
6) Paul Kosgei, 26, KEN, 1:03:54, $1500
7) William Chebon, 26, KEN, 1:04:02, $1000
8) Silvestor Mokeko, 34, RSA, 1:04:42, $750
9) Nephat Kinyanjui, 27, KEN, 1:04:43, $600
10) Yoshihiro Yamamoto, 21, JPN, 1:04:51, $500

WOMEN
1) Nuta Olaru, 34, ROM, 1:10:50, $12,000
2) Ai Yamamoto, 26, JPN, 1:12:58, $7000
3) Kiyoko Shimahara, 27, JPN, 1:13:05, $5000
4) Beatrice Omanza, 30, KEN, 1:14:03, $3000
5) Miho Ichikawa, 31, JPN, 1:14:25, $2000
6) Akane Taira, 21, JPN, 1:15:01, $1500
7) Elena Orlova, 34, RUS, 1:15:29, $1000
8) Anastasia Ndereba, 29, KEN, 1:15:30, $750
9) Gladys Asiba, 27, KEN, 1:15:51, $600
10) Anuta Catuna, 34, ROM, 1:17:17, $500
*Includes $25,000 bonus for winning two Elite Racing Musical Marathon events in 2004. (Toroitich won the P.F. Chang's Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon on January 11, 2004.)

For complete results, go to: www.RnRHalf.com

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Teva U.S. Women's Mountain Running Team Win Bronze Medal at Worlds

SAUZE D'OULX, Italy - (Sept. 4-5, 2004) - The Teva U.S. women's mountain running team, on Saturday, September 4, earned a spot on the podium with their bronze medal team performance at the World Mountain Running Trophy - the best U.S. team finish ever (men or women).

Led by Eagle, Colo. resident Anita Ortiz who finished a gutsy 11th place after straining her ligament in the early stage of the race which caused numbness in her foot most of the 8.4K uphill course (857 meters of climb). Ortiz's time of 53:03 was a few minutes out of the first place time of 50:27 by Italian Rosita Rosa, the 1999 world champion. Second for Team USA was Laura Haefeli, Del Norte, Colo. in 15th place with a time of 53:41. Third U.S. was Erica Larson, Los Alamos, N.M. in 24th place with a time of 55:23 giving Team USA a score of 50 points, just one point away from a silver medal (Austria had 49 points). The final U.S. team member Lisa Isom, Vail, Colo. finished in 31st position in 56:39. The gold medal team was Italy with 14 points.

On the junior side, the U.S. men and women's teams finished 17th and 9th
respectively.

On Sunday, September 5, with a score of 102 points, the Teva U.S. Mountain Running Team senior men finished a solid 8th out of 27 teams. All of the men finished in the top 1/3 of the field, a first for the U.S. men. Led by Simon Gutierrez, Taos, N.M., who finished in 17th place, the men were delighted with their results.

"It was great to look back and see the blue team jerseys of the U.S. men behind me. I kept pushing to the finish knowing that the team was all working just as hard. It was really a motivator for me," said Gutierrez at the finish line.

Jonathan Wyatt of New Zealand - who last Sunday finished 21st in the Olympic Marathon! - inmpressively won his fourth men's world title in 48:47 over Tesfayouhanis Mesfin of Eritrea who ran 50:04. Like their female counterparts, Italy won the men's title (44 points).

Paul Low was the second American to score in 19th position, Eric Blake and Tim Parr rounded out the scoring for the team in 28th and 38th respectively.

The U.S. team score was equal to that of the 7th place team, but the final scoring member is counted to break the tie. The 6th place team had 101 points.

In the open race over the same senior men's 10.1K course, Tom Borschel, Idaho Falls, Idaho and Teva U.S. Junior Team Manager was the overall winner. The top U.S. woman was Teva team alternate Kelli Low who finished second to a talented New Zealand runner who also ran in the senior race on Saturday.

20th World Mountain Running Trophy
Sauze d'Olux, Italy, September 4-5, 2004

WOMEN - 8.4K
1) Rosita Rota, ITA, 50:27
2) Anna Pichrtova, CZE, 50:37
3) Andrea Mayr, AUT, 50:52
U.S.
11) Anita Ortiz, USA, 53:03
15) Laura Haefeli, USA, 53:41
24) Erica Larson, USA, 55:23
31) Lisa Isom, USA, 56:39

TEAM - WOMEN
1) Italy 14
2) Austria 49
3) USA 50
20 scoring teams

MEN - 10.1K
1) Jonathan Wyatt, NZL, 48:47
2) Tesfayouhanis Mesfin, ERI, 50:04
3) Raymond Fontaine, FRA, 50:26
U.S.
17) Simon Gutierrez, USA, 52:53
19) Paul Low, USA, 53:06
28) Eric Blake, USA, 53:31
38) Timothy Parr, USA, 54:41
41) Matt Levassiur, USA, 54:49
47) Andy Ames, USA, 55:08

TEAM - MEN
1) Italy 44
2) Eritrea 66
3) Switzerland 75
4) England 82
5) Germany 87
6) France 101
7) Austria 102
8) USA 102
27 scoring teams

For complete results, go to: www.wmrt2004.org

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Kiptoo, Hashimoto Win Park Forest Scenic 10 Mile
By Bruce Meyer/Bud James

PARK FOREST, Ill. - (Sept. 6, 2004) - It was a warm and humid morning in suburban Chicago for the 27th running of the Park Forest Scenic 10 Mile. Only Matt Thull pushed the early pace as he led the first mile at 4:57 and the two mile in 9:57 with a flotilla of east Africans 12 seconds back at each check point.

By 5K in a conservative 15:28, the chase pack swallowed the American; the slowest opening 5K in recent race history. Recent Scenic champions Pat Nthiwa and Ronald Mogaka moved to the front pack of 12 athletes through the the 4th and 5th miles - each run in 4:50 and arriving at 5 miles in 24:37. Coming out of the woods, four Westchester based Kenyans began to string it out. In that group were Nthiwa, Valentine Orare, Julius Kibet and Julius Kiptoo. When hitting the open streets of the Village south of Chicago, Nthiwa's hope for a third title began to wilt as many of the runners faded under the harsh conditions. The remaining three fronted by Orare reached 12K in 36:14. At that point, Kibet started to show the effects of the high humidity as Kiptoo, apparently feeling the freshest of the trio, made a decisive move to take control of the race. Kiptoo's 4:42 final mile sealed the victory in 48:01 with Orare two seconds back.

In the women's race, Yasuko Hashimoto of Japan and her countrywomen Ichiyo Naganuma and Aimi Ishida ran together with 1996 U.S. Olympian Jenny Spangler in the early miles. Emerging from the woods, Hashimoto, the 2003 Berlin Marathon champion and 2004 Steamboat Classic titlist, took control as she clicked consistent 5:37 miles to the tape in 55:40, the slowest winning time in recent years. Spangler, 41, from north suburban Chicago finished second (also top master) in 56:56 followed by 2002 Park Forest champion Teresa Wanjiku. Conditions certainly affected many as the warm, summer weather finally made its appearance in the Chicago area after a summer that posted only one 90F+ temperature.

27th Park Forest Scenic 10 Mile
Park Forest, IL, Monday, September 6, 2004

MEN
1) Julius Kiptoo (KEN), 48:01
2) Valentine Orare (KEN), 48:03
3) Julius Kibet (KEN), 48:13
4) Patrick Nthiwa (KEN), 49:02
5) Ronald Mogaka (KEN), 49:18
6) Charles Ndereba (KEN), 49:20
7) Issac Arusei (KEN), 49:38
8) John Kariuki (KEN), 49:47
9) Shadrack Kimeli (KEN), 49:49
10) Peter Tanui (KEN), 49:51

MASTERS MEN (40+)
1) Paul Pilkington (IL), 52:34

WOMEN
1) Yasuko Hashimoto (JPN), 55:40
2) Jenny Spangler (IL), 56:56
3) Teresa Wanjiku (KEN), 58:02
4) Ichiyo Naganuma (JPN), 58:24
5) Aimi Ishida (JPN), 59:13
6) Janet Robertz (MN), 59:44
7) Heather May (IN), 1:00:33
8) Lucie Mays-Sulewski (IN), 1:01:53
9) Dot McMahon (WI), 1:02:32
10) Erin Kelly (IN), 1:02:49

MASTERS WOMEN (40+)
1) Spangler (see above)

For more race results, go to: www.scenic10.com

Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Services Director
385 Oak View Lane
Santa Barbara, CA 93111

(805) 696-6232, fax (805) 967-5958
Ryan@RunningUSA.org

www.runningusa.org