Kastor Suffers to Beat Tomescu-Dita at LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon
Limo Leads Top 10 Kenyan Sweep in Men's Race
By Charlie Mahler, Running USA wire

CHICAGO - (October 9, 2005) - 2004 Olympic Marathon bronze medalist and U.S. record holder Deena Kastor of Mammoth Lakes, Calif. won the first marathon of her storied career with an anxious five second victory over Romanian Constantina Tomescu-Dita at the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon on Sunday morning. Kastor, clear of Tomescu-Dita by forty seconds at 35K and on pace for a sub-2:19 performance, struggled in the final four miles to clock 2 hours, 21 minutes, 25 seconds to the strong-finishing Tomescu-Dita's 2:21:30.

In a Kenyan sweep of the top 10 men's places, 2004 Rotterdam Marathon and Berlin Marathon winner Felix Limo broke away from Ben Maiyo and Daniel Njenga after the 40 kilometer mark to win in 2:07:02, the fastest time of the year and his third major marathon win (also Berlin and Rotterdam 2004). Maiyo clocked 2:07:09; Njenga, a two-time runner-up here, crossed the line in 2:07:14. Two-time defending Chicago champ Evans Rutto finished fourth in 2:07:28.

Kastor and Limo earned $165,000 and $155,000 respectively for their efforts, including prize and incentive money.

Kastor, 32, entered the event pointing for her first marathon victory and with sights set on joining the women's exclusive sub-2:20 club. the Team Running USA athlete, who set the U.S. half-marathon record in the lead-up to Chicago with her 1:07:53 at the Philadelphia Distance Run, planned an aggressive attack, asking pace-setters to lead her through the half-marathon under 1:09:00.

Out on the Chicago streets, with cloudy, 50 degree and breezy weather and tucked in among a posse of escorts and pacesetters, Kastor clipped through 10K in 32:40 - a 2:17:59 pace - and the half-way mark in 1:09:16. Tomescu-Dita, who won the world half-marathon title only last Saturday in Edmonton, tracked Kastor's pace through 20 miles until Kastor pulled away. Kastor looked invincible from then until mile 22 when her stride stiffened, her mile pace dropped from 5:20s to 5:50s to six minutes-plus and Tomescu-Dita's came roaring back into the picture.

"I suffered greatly in the last 5K, but was able to make the finish line. I'm only now starting to feel 'Okay,'" Kastor said more than an hour after finishing. "At 20 miles I thought, I'm starting to feel it, starting to feel the pavement a little bit, the bottoms of my feet were getting a little tender. With four miles to go, I thought this was really going to be a long four miles. It was really the last three miles that were the ugliest, and I really, really felt awful."

"For a 6:15 to feel that bad, the marathon is the only thing in the world that can do that to somebody," added the Arkansas grad.

During the final push, designated pacesetter Clint Verran appeared to tread the line between legal and illegal pacing - leading Kastor, encouraging her and, it appeared, providing information about how close Tomescu-Dita was getting. At press time, however, it appeared Tomescu-Dita would not protest the results.

While winning the race was goal #1 for Kastor, her reaction to being the first U.S. woman to win a major world marathon - since Kristy Johnston won here in 1994 - was mixed.

"It was bittersweet," she offered. "I was hoping to run a lot faster today. But, my number one priority coming into the race was to try to win, and I also wanted to run an aggressive race to run a fast time. It almost cost me the win there in the end running with such aggressive tactics."

Japan's Masako Chiba, who went out with Kastor and Tomescu-Dita in the early-going, ran a lonely, solo race to finish third in 2:26:00.

Kastor was the vanguard of the most impressive overall USA finish in a major marathon in recent memory. Colleen De Reuck, 41, established a new U.S. masters marathon record with her 2:28:40, which shattered 1996 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials champion Jenny Spangler's mark of 2:32:39 set here in 2003, and Blake Russell of the Big Sur Distance Project finished sixth in a personal record 2:29:10.

"I knew I could definitely run a 2:28 and then in the back of my mind I was trying to go for 2:26:51, Priscilla's [World Masters] record. I gave it a shot, you know," the South African native and Boulder resident said. "It never gets easier. I'm really quite shocked that I came fourth."

The USA men didn't prove as successful as the American women. Two-time Olympian Alan Culpepper led the American effort in 12th place (2:12:44). Matt Lane ran a 2:17:32 debut for 14th and Josh Eberly was 15th in 2:19:29.

For men's winner Limo, close observation of his rivals was a key to the win.

"I'd go closer to everybody to look at their faces," Limo explained. "I was worried about Njenga, because all the time he was behind, so I was afraid of him. And when I saw his face, he was strong."

The leaders, led by an unfolding and seemingly limitless cast of pacesetters, reached the half-way point at 1:03:21. A group of nine runners - Limo, Maiyo, Njenga, Rutto, Patrick Ivuti, Laban Kipkemboi, William Kipsang, Timothy Cherigat and Sammy Korir - reached 20 miles at 1:36:55, but quickly thereafter the distance and the pace took its full measure.

By 35K, the pack comprised only the leader Maiyo, Limo, Njenga, Ivuti and Rutto. At 40K, Ivuti was falling off the back and Rutto was lagging the rear of the lead group. Shortly thereafter, Rutto dropped off and then Limo made the move that obliterated the pack completely - Njenga let go, followed by Maiyo. Limo was on his way to victory.

"At 41 [kilometers] I realized this is my game, I am going to win," the 25-year-old Kenyan said.

28th LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon
Chicago, IL, Sunday, October 9, 2005

MEN
1) Felix Limo, Kenya, 2:07:02, $155,000
2) Ben Maiyo, Kenya, 2:07:09, $95,000
3) Daniel Njenga, Kenya, 2:07:14, $70,000
4) Evans Rutto, Kenya, 2:07:28, $55,000
5) Patrick Ivuti, Kenya, 2:07:46, $30,000
6) Laban Kipkemboi, Kenya, 2:09:22, $7500
7) William Kipsang, Kenya, 2:09:49, $7500
8) Timothy Cherigat, Kenya, 2:10:34, $5500
9) Sammy Korir, Kenya, 2:10:53, $5500
10) John Gwako, Kenya, 2:12:30
U.S.
12) Alan Culpepper, USA/CO, 2:12:44, $10,000
14) Matt Lane, USA/NY, 2:17:32, $9000
15) Josh Eberly, USA/MI, 2:19:29, $8000

MASTERS Men (40+)
1) Luca Foglia, 43, Italy, 2:31:27, $2500
2) Dominique Chauvelier, 49, France, 2:34:17, $2000

WOMEN
1) Deena Kastor, USA/CA, 2:21:25, $165,000
2) Constantina Tomescu-Dita, Romania, 2:21:30, $95,000
3) Masako Chiba, Japan, 2:26:00, $45,500
4) Colleen De Reuck, 41, USA/CO, 2:28:40*, $36,500
5) Eri Hayakawa, Japan, 2:28:50, $15,000
6) Blake Russell, USA/CA, 2:29:10, $8000
7) Kathy Butler, GBR, 2:30:01
8) Tatiana Petrova, Russia, 2:31:03
9) Kate Smith, Australia, 2:33:42
10) Grazyna Syrek, Poland, 2:36:32
*pending U.S. masters record (previous record, 2:32:39, Jenny Spangler, LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon, October 12, 2003)

MASTERS Women (40+)
1) De Reuck, see above
2) Simonetta Piergentili, 41, Italy, 2:49:06, $2000

For deeper results, visit the race website at: ChicagoMarathon.com

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Celedonio Rodriguez Wins B.A.A. Half Marathon in First Race as U.S. Citizen
Nataliya Berkut, of Ukraine, Edges American Jen Rhines for Women's Title

BOSTON - (October 9, 2005) - An overnight downpour had eased to a light, chilly rain by the time 3,082 hardy runners took to the starting line of the fifth annual B.A.A. Half Marathon, with a flock of Canada geese providing a flyover befitting the Emerald Necklace course just as Mayor Tom Menino - the official starter - was offering a little coaching.

"Don't get wet," he advised the runners as they waited for the 8:00am starting horn on Sunday. "Run through the raindrops."

Running fastest through those raindrops was Celedonio Rodriguez, a three-time Division II national champion out of Adams State, who shocked a world class field when he ran away from them early and fearlessly to win in a personal record 1 hour, 4 minutes and 9 seconds. Rodriguez was born in Mexico, but grew up in the United States before starring at Adams State in Alamosa, Colo., where he still lives and trains. This was his first victory as a professional (he pocketed $5000) - and his first as a U.S. citizen, which he became just two weeks ago.

On the women's side, Nataliya Berkut of Ukraine finally pulled away from American Jen Rhines of Team Running USA just past the 10 mile mark for victory in 1:12:21. Berkut, a 2004 Olympian, is her national record holder at 5000 and 10,000 meters. Rhines, a two-time U.S. Olympian, is also the reigning U.S. 15K road champion.

Although none of the elite athletes cited the chilly and rainy conditions as affecting their races, Kenya's Samuel Ndereba, runner-up in 1:04:21, was shivering afterward, his hand shaking as he tried to steady a hot drink. The brother of four-time Boston Marathon winner Catherine, the ever-cheerful Ndereba said the weather was among the worst in which he's ever raced. His huge smile, however, never flickered.

It was a smile reflected on the faces of many of the 3,072 official finishers, happy to have gotten out of bed during a rainstorm to make their way along Park Drive, past Jamaica Pond, into the Franklin Park Zoo and then back to the welcome - and by now dry - finish line.

5th B.A.A. Half Marathon
Boston, MA, Sunday, October 9, 2005

MEN
1) Celedonio Rodriguez, USA/CO, 1:04:09, $5000
2) Samuel Ndereba, Kenya, 1:04:21, $2500
3) Abderrahim Haji, Morocco, 1:04:26, $1000
4) Abdelhadi Habassa, Morocco, 1:04:35, $750
5) Linus Maiyo, Kenya, 1:05:42, $600
6) Isaac Arusei, Kenya, 1:05:45, $500
7) Meshack Sang, Kenya, 1:06:35, $400
8) Vinny Mulvey, USA/NY, 1:06:39, $300
9) Nate Jenkins, USA/MA, 1:07:32, $200
10) Mario Fraioli, US?/MA, 1:10:47, $100

MASTERS Men (40+)
1) Wayne Levy, 40, USA/MA, 1:12:50, $750
2) Eric Morse, 40, USA/VT, 1:13:19, $500
3) Ronald Shaiko, 46, USA/NH, 1:14:04, $250

WOMEN
1) Nataliya Berkut, Ukraine, 1:12:21, $5000
2) Jen Rhines, USA/CA, 1:12:56, $2500
3) Firaya Sultanova-Zhdanova, 44, Russia, 1:15:19, $1750
4) Elena Orlova, Russia, 1:15:33, $750
5) Valentina Yegorova, 41, Russia, 1:18:07, $1100
6) Ichiyo Naganuma, Japan, 1:18:23, $500
7) Kara Haas, USA/MA, 1:20:40, $400
8) Maria Servin, 40, Mexico/MA, 1:21:18, $550
9) Kimberly Nolan, USA/MA, 1:23:14, $200
10 Kara Ryczek, USA/MA, 1:23:30, $100

MASTERS Women (40+)
See above

For more results, go to: BAA.org

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Contact: Susan Reid, (858) 450-6510

San Jose Ready to Rock 'n' Roll
Premier Sporting Event Debuts in Northern California

SAN DIEGO - Spurred on by the enthusiasm of 3-time Super Bowl champion and avid runner Roger Craig, the city of San Jose and event manager Elite Racing, Inc. have announced the newest 'musical marathon' race - the Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon - set for Sunday, October 8, 2006. Organizers expect in excess of 15,000 runners for the inaugural event.

Craig, who made his marathon debut at the 2004 Rock 'n' Roll Marathon in San Diego, carried his new passion back to the Bay Area, laying the ground work for the Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon in San Jose.

Patterned after the popular Rock 'n' Roll Marathon in San Diego, Country Music Marathon & 1/2 Marathon in Nashville, Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon in Virginia Beach and P.F. Chang's Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon & ½ Marathon, the race will feature an assortment of live music staged approximately every mile of the 13.1-mile course, providing runners and spectators with continuous entertainment and motivation.

"What you're going to see here is essentially a 13.1 mile party," said Tim Murphy, president of Elite Racing, Inc. "This one will sell out early because of the strong running community in the Bay Area."

The course, which is still being designed, will be flat and fast, according to Murphy, whose Elite Racing company pioneered the musical marathon concept with the 1998 Rock 'n' Roll Marathon in San Diego. The company's events draw participants from all 50 states and several foreign countries while routinely selling out several months in advance of the races. The Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon is tentatively set to start in front of the HP Pavilion and finish with a spectacular post-race party in downtown San Jose's Plaza de Cesar Chavez Park.

In addition to rousing music along the course, local high school cheerleading squads will line the route, cheering on participants and competing for cash and prizes. The inaugural event concludes with an evening concert, free to all participants, featuring a major rock 'n' roll headliner at the HP Pavilion.

The race will draw elite runners from around the world vying for a large cash purse that will match the Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon in Virginia Beach for the largest prize purse of any half-marathon. The event will be televised nationally on FSN (Fox Sports Net).

"We're not testing something new here," said San Jose Mayor, Ron Gonzales. "This is a proven concept that will be a success."

Founders of the race include: Roger Craig, 3-time Super Bowl champion for the San Francisco 49ers and Frank Shorter, Olympic gold (1972) and silver (1976) medalist in the marathon.

A free two-day "Health & Fitness Expo" will be held on October 6-7, 2006 at the San Jose Convention Center and will feature the latest health and nutrition information with a variety of products for sample and sale.

For more information on this event or to register online, visit RnRsj.com or EliteRacing.com. To receive an entry form, contact the Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon San Jose, c/o Elite Racing, 5452 Oberlin Dr, San Diego, CA 92121 or call (800) 311-1255.

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Under Armour Baltimore Running Festival to Run Thru Historic Fort McHenry
Event becomes one of the few to race through a National Monument

BALTIMORE, Md. - (October 10, 2005) - Over 191 years after being filled with more than 1,000 U.S. troops during the Battle of Baltimore, Fort McHenry will once again be packed as thousands of runners taking part in the Under Armour Baltimore Running Festival will circle the National Monument for the first time in the five-year history of the event.

The addition of the Fort McHenry National Monument Historic Shrine to the 26.2-mile course results in the Under Armour Baltimore Marathon - slated for Saturday, October 15 - becoming one of a handful of road races to go thru or past a National Monument.

"Running thru Fort McHenry is a great opportunity for the runners to experience one of our city's beautiful spots and one of our country's great Historic Landmarks," stated Lee Corrigan, Corrigan Sports Enterprises, which organizes the Festival.

As a result, the first half of the marathon had to be reworked in order to accommodate the new addition to the course. Instead of running around Druid Lake through the park, the racers will go underneath along Druid Park Lake Dr. as it becomes 28th St. From 28th St., runners will head south on St. Paul St. and resume last year's route. Near the fort, the runners continue down Fort Ave, encircle the park and back up Fort Ave. before making a right onto Towson St. and following last year's course.

Among the other new additions to the course this year is a jaunt past the harbor along Lancaster St. and up Hillen Rd. to Shadyside Rd. and then back down to 33rd St. at miles 20 and 21.

The Under Armour Baltimore Marathon is Maryland's premier fall event with more than 40 million dollars in economic impact and more than two million donated to local charities. This year's event will take place on October 15 beginning at 8:00am at M&T Bank Stadium. Registration is up for the third year in a row and the race has seen the number out-of-town participants increase steadily since its inception in 2000.

The Under Armour Baltimore Running Festival is produced by Corrigan Sports Enterprises, a leader in sports promotions in the Baltimore/Washington, DC region. Founded in 1991, CSE owns and operates the following events: Under Armour Baltimore Marathon, The Charm City Challenge All-Star Basketball Game, The Capital Classic, the Toyota Pro Beach Volleyball Tour, the Scion Trash & Jam (Extreme Sports) and the annual BikeJam event.

For more information, visit: TheBaltimoreMarathon.com or call Gene Brtalik, (410) 605-9381 x238.

Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Director
415 E Figueroa St
Santa Barbara, CA 93101

(805) 696-6232
Ryan@RunningUSA.org

RunningUSA.org