| Running USA wire 18, March 12, 2006 |
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Keflezighi, Russell Win USA 15K Titles at Gate River JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - (March 11, 2006) - Meb Keflezighi of Mammoth Lakes, Calif. and Blake Russell of Marina, Calif. dominated the men's and women's fields at the USA 15K Championships on Saturday at the 2006 Gate River Run. The day dawned with moderate temperatures, but very high humidity as the women's national championship started. Blake Russell from the Big Sur Distance Project went straight into the lead with a 5:03 first mile and was never challenged by another woman as she passed 5K in 16:14, 10K in 32:50 (16:36) to win with ease in 49 minutes, 14 seconds. Russell, 30, who won her first USA title at the NewAlliance New Haven 20K in September 2005 is already ahead of schedule in 2006 with her second USA title in a month, having won the 8K title at the USA Cross Country Championships in New York in February. "I was a little worried running the whole race by myself," said Russell after the race. "I was trying to break 49:00, but I knew warming up when I was pouring sweat that the humidity would be a problem." Running solidly in second place was two-time U.S. Olympian and defending champion Jen Rhines in her final tune-up for the upcoming Rome Marathon. The men's and people's race - which featured the third offering of the Equalizer Bonus, awarding $5000 to the first male or female to cross the finish line - started exactly five minutes after the women's national title race (time differential based on the course records, 42:22 and 47:15). Two-time Olympian Abdi Abdirahman took the early lead with a 4:39 opening mile, followed by 2004 Olympic Marathon silver medalist Keflezighi and rising star Matt Gonzales. A 4:31 mile fifth mile opened the gap Keflezighi needed as the Team Running USA athlete, who is prepping for April's Boston Marathon, ran an even pace with 5K splits of 14:37, 29:09 (14:32) and 43:43 (14:34). "I came in late last night after a hectic week," related Keflezighi, who won his fifth USA 15K title (also 2001-04). "I wanted to relax and get into the race slowly and work into it. Then I picked it up at a turn and pushed the pace in the middle of the race." Keflezighi, 30, who became a new father on Wednesday to daughter Sara, celebrated in style with a clear victory in 43:43, good for $15,000 ($10,000 as national champion plus the $5000 Equalizer Bonus), while Gonzales edged Abdirahman at the tape for national runner-up, both were timed in 44:09. The Gate River Run is also part of the 2006 USA Running Circuit (USARC), a USATF road racing series featuring USA Championships from 5K to the marathon. As national champions, Keflezighi and Russell earned 15 grand prix points. For more information on the 2006 USARC including standings, visit: USATF.org This year marked the 29th running of Gate River and the 13th consecutive year that the event has hosted the USA 15K Championships, and a race record 9,241 runners finished the 15K. 29th Gate River 15K Run: USA
Championship MEN WOMEN Complete results at: Gate-RiverRun.com Return to top / Return to main page Contacts: Karen Kalan, Los Angeles Marathon, (310)
444-5544 x306; kkalan@lamarathon.com Defending Champions Headline Top International
Field at City of Los Angeles Marathon LOS ANGELES - (March 9, 2006) - With a professional field of almost 60 international athletes competing for a portion of the $417,600 prize purse (the largest in the race's history) the City of Los Angeles Marathon presented by Honda on Sunday, March 19, 2006 looks to be the most competitive in its 21-year history. The field will be led by defending champions Mark Saina from Kenya and Lyubov Denisova from Russia who will be returning for a thrilling rematch in the Banco Popular Challenge. In 2005, Saina passed Denisova in the 26th mile to win his first major marathon in 2:09:35 after he made up the 15:50 head start awarded the women as part of "The Challenge." Denisova handily won the women's division and set the course record of 2:26:11. At stake this year is $100,000 for the Banco Popular Challenge winner, up from $75,000 in 2005 and $50,000 in its inaugural year 2004. The time differential for 2006 will be announced at a press conference at 11:00am on Friday, March 17. Other leading candidates in the men's field are Kenyans Robert Kiprotich Cheruiyot, Laban Kipkemboi and Benson Cherono. Cheruiyot has a personal best of 2:08:13 from the 2003 Amsterdam Marathon and finished third in last May's Prague International Marathon. Cherono finished third at both the 2005 B.A.A. Boston Marathon and the Coca-Cola Zero Rock 'n' Roll Marathon, where he set his personal best of 2:10:01. Kipkemboi made his debut at the 2002 New York City Marathon where he ran the eighth fastest time on the course in 2:08:39 and he placed third in the 2005 L.A. Marathon. Kipkemboi is also the course record holder at the B.A.A. Boston Half Marathon. A stellar group of female athletes will be competing against the men for the $100,000 bonus in the Banco Popular Challenge. The field is led by Ethiopian Gete Wami, who has won Olympic medals at 5000 meters (bronze, 2000) and 10,000 meters, (bronze, 1996; silver, 2000) and is the Ethiopian marathon record holder (2:22:19, Amsterdam 2002). Also joining the field is Russian Lidiya Grigoryeva, primarily a 10,000 meter runner whose first major marathon breakthrough came when she won the 2005 Paris International Marathon in 2:27:01, and Mexican Madai Perez, winner of the 2004 Celestial Seasonings Boulder Bolder 10K. Perez recently set her personal marathon best of 2:26:50 at the 2005 World Championships in Helsinki. Also back for 2006 is Ukrainian Tatyana Pozdnyakova, L.A. Marathon winner in 2003-04 and "The Challenge" champion in its first year. The L.A. Marathon women's champion has been either Pozdnyakova or Denisova for the past four years (Denisova won in 2002 and 2005). Pozdnyakova, who turned 51 on March 4, has announced that she will retire after the 2006 L.A. Marathon. "During the life of a runner there is a point in time when a person needs to decide when to retire. For me, Los Angeles is not just a marathon, but also my favorite among the marathons. Therefore, Los Angeles this year is going to be the last marathon in my career." Pozdnyakova currently holds the world record for the marathon distance for the 45-49 and 50-54 age groups at 2:29:00 and 2:31:05, respectively. In total, the City of Los Angeles Marathon will be offering a prize purse of $417,600. The first person to cross the finish line will receive the $100,000 Banco Popular Challenge bonus as well as a $35,000 cash prize and a Honda Accord EX-V6 for being first in his or her division, making this the largest guaranteed first place payout in the United States. A total of $23,000 will also be available to the top American and Californian finishers. A complete listing of the 2006 professional athlete field is available at: LAMarathon.com About the City of Los Angeles
Marathon The Los Angeles Marathon is the largest marathon held in California, the fourth largest in the country and the seventh largest in the world. It is expected to draw more than 25,000 runners from 50 states and 100 countries in 2006. In total, event day will include more than 45,000 participants for the 26.2 mile run, the Acura L.A. Bike Tour and the Emerald Nuts 5K Run/Walk. About Devine Information about all Devine properties, as well as access to unparalleled industry information, can be obtained at DevineRacing.com or by calling (312) 640-9700. Future years will bring similar access via network and satellite television, satellite radio and pod-casting. Return to top / Return to main page Contact: Chris Brienza, Runner's World, (212) 808-1358 Rodale Adds Runner's World Italy to Its International
Portfolio NEW YORK - (March 8, 2006) - Rodale Inc., the authoritative source of expert content in health and wellness worldwide, has launched Runner's World Italy under sub-license by the Italian Mondadori-Rodale joint venture to Edisport Editoriale, it was announced by Gianni Crespi, President of Rodale International. The title has launched with a print run of 140,000 copies. This marks the tenth edition in 11 countries, reaching 3.6 million readers worldwide. "The launch of Runner's World Italy continues the phenomenal worldwide growth of this iconic brand," said Crespi. "Runner's World is steadily expanding into important, vibrant markets around the globe. While doing so, it is taking great measures to ensure that it continues to speak with one collective and authoritative voice to readers, endemic companies and potential advertisers who have come to expect the highest level of service journalism and expert commentary for which the magazine is renowned." "We are excited to partner with Rodale, and
are committed to building the Runner's World brand," said Piero
Bacchetti, president and owner of Edisport Editoriale, a highly successful
91-year-old publisher with a portfolio of 15 magazines. "Runner's
World Italy will be the first magazine in Italy to offer information
and inspiration to runners of all levels in order to achieve their personal
health, fitness and performance goals, making this a much-anticipated
launch in the Italian marketplace." As part of Runner's World's new shoe-testing initiative, the "Editor's Choice Award"™ Seal of Approval Program has been re-launched to reflect the brand's increasingly global collaboration. Now runners in Italy and all around the world can look for the International Editor's Choice seal as a way to help them find the best shoe for their needs. The Italian edition will also benefit from the experience of editor Marco Marchei, 51, who holds a long and impressive history in running. Marchei placed fourth in the 1978 New York City Marathon and second in the Boston Marathon in 1980. As a member of Italy's national team, he competed in the 1980 and 1984 Olympics in Moscow and Los Angeles, respectively. He ran his marathon PR of 2:11:47 at the 1983 World Championships in Helsinki. He has served as the editorial director of several running and sports-and-fitness titles for the past 15 years. About Rodale's
Runner's World About Edisport Editoriale
Spa Return to top / Return to main page Austin Marathon Heads for New Sponsorship in 2007 AUSTIN, Texas - (March 10, 2006) - After 15 highly successful years the Austin Marathon will complete its spin-off from Freescale Semiconductor, ending the company's title sponsorship relationship with the race. "It's rare for a corporation to create a community event, let alone one that grows to the stature and magnitude of the Austin Marathon", said John Conley, Executive Director of the Austin Marathon Foundation. "Thanks to a decade and a half of leadership and solid support by Freescale and its employees, as well as other community sponsors and partners, we are well positioned to take the event to a new level." "When we helped create the Austin Marathon Foundation
last summer, our intent was to create a platform for continued growth
and innovation," said Tim Doke, Vice President of Corporate Communication
for Freescale. "The results of this year's race showed that the
event is ready to live on its own and take its place as an important
part of what makes Austin special." Motorola's Semiconductor Products Sector, now Freescale Semiconductor, founded the Austin Marathon in 1992. Since then, the race has generated over $50 million for the local Austin economy and has helped raise over $2 million for charitable purposes. The Austin Marathon Foundation is a not-for-profit 501-C-3 corporation located in Austin Texas. Its mission is to promote health and fitness by organizing a world-class marathon that galvanizes the community, brings national attention to the region and benefits both local and national charities. Visit its website at: AustinMarathonFoundation.org Contact: John Conley, Executive Director, Austin Marathon Foundation, (512) 536-6970; john@austinmarathonfoundation.org Return to top / Return to main page Loveland 10 Mile Challenge Announced CINCINNATI, Ohio - (March 8, 2006) - BigDog Eventz has announced the new Loveland 10 Mile Challenge, formerly known as the Cincinnati Half Marathon, on Saturday, April 8, 2006 at 7:00am. This event is the perfect warm up for the Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon and for runners of all ages and experience levels looking for a fun running experience this spring. "We're thrilled to be producing a running event in the heart of Loveland where outdoor athletics are embraced and the course offerings are tremendous and picturesque," noted Rich Williams, owner of BigDog Eventz and former race director of the Cincinnati Flying Pig. The running event will include a 10 Mile Challenge and the Running Spot East 5K Fun Run and Walk, both taking off in the heart of historic downtown Loveland on West Loveland, turning onto Rich Road to Davis Road along the scenic Little Miami River, onto Old 3 C across the river and finishing on the Loveland Bike Trail at Nisbet Park. Mercedes-Benz of Cincinnati will lead runners on the 10 mile course throughout Loveland, enabling runners to spend more time running throughout the community before entering the Loveland Bike Trail. The Running Spot 5K Fun Run will run completely on the bike trail. Cash prizes for the top 3 male and female and age group prices will be given for the 10 Mile Challenge, with awards for the top 5 male and female for the 5K event. "The City of Loveland is thrilled to reinvigorate this running event with a new course and professional race management," expressed Tom Carroll, city manager. "The buzz around town has been exciting for the runners and the community. We look forward to a great event on April 8. I may even run it myself!" Runners may register for the races on-line via the website at BigDogEventz.com, download an application from the website and mail it in or obtain applications from the Running Spot East or by calling the BigDog Eventz at (859) 426-1952. Proceeds from the Loveland 10 Mile Challenge will benefit Loveland Parks and Recreation's fund for inclusion and accessible playground equipment for children with special needs. Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Director (805) 696-6232 |