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Simonaitis, Lagunas Win USA Masters Titles at Heritage Oaks Bank 10K
By Mark Winitz, Running USA wire

PASO ROBLES, Calif. - (Sept. 26, 2004) - On December 22, 2003 earthquake waves rolled through Paso Robles, a thriving community that sprang up in the 1880s exactly halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles. The 6.5 quake on the Richter Scale destroyed 82 historic buildings and killed two people in the downtown square where the town's annual Heritage Oaks Banks Fun Day road races start and finish.

On Sunday morning, waves of runners soothed painful memories and celebrated a dramatic revitalization of Paso Robles by filling its streets for road races that included the USA Masters 10K Championship.

Dennis Simonaitis, 42, of Draper, UT emerged as the U.S. master men's 10K champion, negotiating the flat and fast two loop course in 30 minutes and 24 seconds. Rosemarie Lagunas, 42, of San Jose, CA captured the women's title in 36:19. Both scored convincing victories, trouncing their respective fields.

Simonaitis used perfect racing conditions in the low 50s to avenge last year's second-place performance to rival Eddy Hellebuyck. Brian Pope, 41, of Oxford, MS placed second, well behind Simonaitis in 30:47. Hellebuyck, 43, of Albuquerque, NM was third, over two minutes slower than his national masters record of 29:05 set in this race in 2003. Hellebuyck, who holds multiple U.S. masters records, competed despite an out-of-competition positive drug test for erythropoietin (EPO) last January that he is contesting.

Taking an early lead, Simonaitis fronted a large pack that whittled to about six contenders by the 5K, hit in 15:21. His lead was tenuous, however, since one shoe became untied two miles into the race.

"That's never happened to me before," said Simonaitis about the misstep, "So I was running a little gingerly. But otherwise I felt good. I wanted to push it a little bit through halfway and not leave it to the end. Some of those guys have good kicks. I felt in control pretty much all the way through."

Indeed, Simonaitis gradually increased the tempo over the last several miles, leaving his contenders far in his wake. He improved his time by almost 30 seconds over the 2003 race, which was also run in ideal conditions.

Said Hellebuyck: "This was my first race in eight months, so I'm trying to get the intensity back. I've been training, but it's not the same as racing. I hope to get this [drug] situation behind me and start focusing on racing again."

For Lagunas, the masters women's victory came a bit as a surprise. Although she qualified for the 2000 U.S. Women's Olympic Marathon Trials, and has been competing since she was 14-years-old, she rarely appears on the roads. This fall, Lagunas is concentrating on cross country races.

"I haven't run a 10K in a million years, and I didn't know if I was going to die," admitted Lagunas, who led the entire race. "I thought just let's wait and see what happens. But then I still felt really good after the first loop, and thought that it was a good sign. I said 'Let's just pick it up at mile four and see what happens.'"

That strategy left long-time standout marathoner Maria Trujillo de Rios and Sarah Kramer to contend for runner-up spots. Kramer, 44, of Ogden, UT overtook De Rios, 44, of Los Gatos, CA in the second mile and proceeded to a second place finish of 36:54. De Rios was third in 37:22.

53-year-old Kathryn Martin (Northport, NY) ran a superb 37:32 which gave her the top female age-graded performance (a 32:23 age-adjusted time). Antoni Niemczak, (48, Albuquerque, NM), competing in his first race in several years, notched the best men's age-graded mark. His fourth-place 31:09 finish converted to a 28:24 age-adjusted time.

In the separate California 10K Championship race for competitors under 40 years old, Kenyans Eric Chirchir and Wilson Kigen crossed the finish in a virtual tie. Chirchir was awarded the victory by USATF finish line judges. Both men were timed in 29:18. Ethiopia's Atalelech Ketema successfully defended her women's title in an unchallenged 33:39. Christian Hesch (7th, 30:04, Morro Bay) and Megan Daly (2nd, 35:06, Palo Alto) were the first California finishers and were also crowned Pacific Association/USATF Open 10K Champions.

Heritage Oaks Bank awarded $56,000 in prize earnings of which over half is devoted to masters runners, and $8,000 to the accompanying Pacific Association/USATF Championship. All proceeds generated from the event's entry fees are distributed to local non-profit organizations. Through 2003, these donations totaled nearly $70,000.

Heritage Oaks Bank 10K: USA Masters Championship
Paso Robles, CA, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2004

MASTERS MEN
1) Dennis Simonaitis, 44, UT 30:24
2) Brian Pope, 41, MS 30:47
3) Eddy Hellebuyck, 43, NM 31:07
4) Antoni Niemczak, 48, NM 31:09
5) Dan Nelson, 40, CA 31:11

45-49
1) Niemczak (see above)
50-54
1) Gary Romesser, 53, IN 33:26
55-59
1) Dave Dooley, 57, CO 36:16
60-64
1) Byron Melendy, 64, CA 38:51
65-69
1) Thom Weddle, 66, MN 40:45
70-74
1) Glynn Wood, 70, CA 54:07
75-79
1) Sam Hirabayashi, 77, CA 51:31
80-plus
1) Stanley Coombs, 81, CA 58:03

MASTERS WOMEN
1) Rosemarie Lagunas, 42, CA 36:19
2) Sarah Kramer, 44, UT, 36:54
3) Maria Trujillo de Rios, 44, CA 37:22
4) Kathryn Martin, 52, NY 37:32
5) Kelly Keeler, 42, MN 38:06

50-54
1) Martin (see above)
55-59
1) Gloria Jansen, 57, MN 43:32
60-64
1) Shirley Matson, 63, CA 43:02
65-69
1) Barbara Miller, 65, CA 43:57
70-74
1) Barbara Robben, 70, CA 58:00
75-79
1) Elizabeth Baker, 79, CA 1:38:45

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

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Contact: Kathy Kinane, (714) 321-9900

Henkiel Wins Komen Orange County Race for the Cure 5K

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. - (Sept. 26, 2004) - More than 25,000 participants gathered Sunday morning to run or walk in support of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation at the 13th Annual Komen Orange County Race for the Cure. Cassandra Henkiel of Austin, Tex. captured the women's 5K title, edging Irvine's Brooke Thomas by one second for the victory in 17:41.

Henkiel, 34, a personal trainer and running coach, ran a conservative first mile, keeping towards the back of a pack of ten runners until making a break for the front at just over the half-way mark.

"I let the first mile work itself out and decided to make my move on the steep incline at about a mile and a half in," said Henkiel.

Currently running unattached, Henkiel improved upon last year's 9th place finish (17:45) with her winning performance in the all-women's field of 1,100 runners.

"Having a familiarity with the course put me at an advantage," added Henkiel, whose holds a 5K PR of 16:18. "I knew that I could not go out too hard and when to anticipate the hairpin turns and inclines. I approached the race with the knowledge that the second half of the race is more challenging the first half."

The women's field also included Olympic Trials 5000m finalist Tania Fischer of Santa Monica, who finished fourth in 18:05. Rosalva Bonilla, 41, of Corona was the top female master's finisher in 19:06.

Henkiel, who excels in distances ranging from the 5K to half-marathon, will next race in the USA Women's 10K Championships, which will be held at the Tufts 10K in Boston on October 11. She will also run the ING New York City Marathon in November, coaching Kristin Armstrong, former wife of cycling legend Lance Armstrong.

On the men's side, 27-year-old Johann Appell of Huntington Beach defended his 5K title with his win in 15:24, while masters standout Danny Reed, 40, of Laguna Niguel finished third in 16:16.

More than 22,000 runners and walkers participated in this year's race activities, which also included a 1-Mile Run/Walk, Expo and a ceremony honoring breast cancer survivors.

13th Orange County Race for the Cure 5K
Fashion Island, Newport Beach, CA, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2004

WOMEN
1) Cassandra Henkiel (TX), 17:41
2) Brooke Thomas (CA), 17:42
3) Ericka Aklufi (CA), 17:56
4) Tania Fischer (CA), 18:05
5) Lin Schulte-Sasse (CA), 18:14

MEN (co-ed race)
1) Johann Appell (CA), 15:24
2) Ben Majia (CA), 15:57
3) Danny Reed, 43, (CA), 16:16
4) Geesh Jenkins (CA) 16:36
5) Dave Parcel, 49, (CA), 16:46

For more results, go to: www.kinaneevents.com

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Contact: Carrozza Foundation, (512) 478-4265; Ryan Hubele (512) 536-6970

Conley Appointed Executive Director of the Carrozza Foundation

AUSTIN, Tex. - (Sept. 20, 2004) - Freescale Austin Marathon race director John Conley has been named Executive Director of the Carrozza Foundation. In his new role, Conley will oversee the implementation of the foundation's strategic plan including, event organization, communications strategy and funds-development for the Carrozza Foundation. He will also continue to direct the Freescale Austin Marathon.

"John brings over eight solid years of professional running event management experience and a passion for the sport of running that is second to none," said Board of Director's President, Paul Carrozza. "John has earned a national reputation for excellence in event management and he has been the driving force behind much of the Freescale Marathon's growth and success. We think that he can apply those same skills and experience to take the Carrozza Foundation to the next level".

Conley has been involved in various facets of road race management since 1980 and has directed the Freescale Austin Marathon (formerly known as the Motorola Austin Marathon) since 1998. A former collegiate runner at the NCAA Div. II level in track and field and cross country, Conley was the coach of the USA team at the Chiba (Japan) International Ekiden Relay in 2002. Conley holds an M.S. degree from Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia.

The Carrozza Foundation was founded in 2002 by Paul and Shiela Carrozza to address the emerging pandemic of childhood and adult obesity and its associated health-risks by improving the fitness of the community, state and nation through the support of events and training programs that sustain life-long habits of fitness and health. Paul Carrozza is a member of the President's Council on Sports and Physical Fitness and the Texas Governor's Council on Physical Fitness.

For more information on the Carrozza Foundation, contact Ryan Hubele at ryan.hubele@freescaleaustinmarathon.com or call (512) 478-4265 or toll-free at (877) 601-6686.

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Contacts:
Ron Abrahamson, Board President, (763) 287-3888 x12
Megan Ryan, Marketing & PR Manager, (763) 287-3888 x13

Twin Cities Marathon Gears Up for Race Weekend October 1-3
New Sponsors - ING and Capella University - Join 2004 Event

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - (Sept. 20, 2004) - With less than three weeks before race weekend, the Twin Cities Marathon (TCM) announced that all target goals have been met regarding participant numbers and sponsorship levels. TCM President, Ron Abrahamson noted that "Plans are in place for the best TCM weekend in the organization's history."

In addition to record participants, TCM has signed new Gold-level sponsors ING and Capella University to support the Most Beautiful Urban Marathon in America™.

While TCM volunteers can take credit for helping staff host a race that's been termed "Best Organized Race" by Runner's World magazine, it's the generosity of sponsors who help make for a successful event by helping to create the full "TCM experience."

"The relationship with both ING and Capella makes a lot of sense because the core values of setting and achieving goals - financial, educational or personal - are a common thread among each organization," said Abrahamson. "While it takes discipline to run a marathon, it also takes discipline to commit to the long journey of financial planning and education."

For their part, ING will sponsor the Twin Cities Marathon ING Health & Fitness Expo. ING is a well-known supporter of marathons internationally and is currently the title sponsor for the New York City, Amsterdam, Brussels and Ottawa marathons.

"The Twin Cities Marathon is one of the top marathons in the country. Being associated with it in a meaningful way supports our goal to help the Twin Cities community become more familiar with ING, at the same time that it extends ING's sponsorship of major marathons worldwide," said Jim Gelder, President, ING Life Distribution.

TCM also announced that Capella University, an accredited on-line university that offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in business, technology, education, human services and psychology, will sponsor a full mile of the marathon course. Capella University will decorate the course with motivational messages between miles 18 and 19 as participants prepare for "the wall."

According to Abrahamson, "Race Weekend is not just about putting on a race, it's also a twenty-six mile progressive block party for the Twin Cities. We are proud to have more than 250,000 spectators along the course, many throw block parties and provide entertainment for the passing participants," said Abrahamson. "It's a great way for the community to come together to connect with each other as well as supporting the marathon field."

The 2004 Twin Cities Marathon weekend is October 1-3. The three-day weekend celebration of fitness includes a 5K run/walk, children's fun runs, pasta dinner, two-day health and fitness expo and a 10-mile race in addition to the marathon. Twin Cities Marathon, a Running USA Founding Member, continues its 14th consecutive year as the designated USATF National Masters Championship for both men and women. Major corporate sponsors for the marathon are Cub Foods and Seagate Technology. Twin Cities Marathon, Inc. is a non-profit organization that directs the TCM weekend as a community service for the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. Visit www.twincitiesmarathon.org for more information.

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