Kiplagat Wins Fourth NYRR New York Mini 10K Title
From New York Road Runners

NEW YORK - (June 9, 2007) - Lornah Kiplagat of The Netherlands won the 36th running of the NYRR New York Mini 10K Saturday morning in Central Park by blasting away from the field in the first mile and holding on for a commanding victory. Her winning time of 32 minutes, 10 seconds put her eight seconds in front of runner-up Kim Smith of New Zealand, who in turn finished three seconds ahead of third-placer Mara Yamauchi of Great Britain. Warm, humid conditions slowed the times, putting Asmae Leghzaoui's 30:29 event record (2002) significantly out of reach.

Kiplagat, the 2007 World Cross Country champion, previously won this race in 2003 and 2005-06 and was second in 1997 and 2002 and fifth in 1999. Only Grete Waitz and Tegla Loroupe, with five victories each, have more impressive histories at the Mini, which is the world's original women-only road race, founded by NYRR in 1972.

"What has always kept me coming back to this race is the atmosphere," said Kiplagat, 33, who is arguably the best road racer in the world, with more than 70 career victories. "I wanted to run a fast time, but I realized at halfway that it wasn't going to be a good time today."

Kiplagat's splits of 15:39 / 16:31 indicate the lack of pressure she felt in the second half of the race. She savored her victory, high-fiving spectators in the final meters.

Smith, 25, making her Mini debut, used the second half of the hilly course to whittle away at Kiplagat's lead. She was rewarded with a finish ahead of such luminaries as Benita Johnson of Australia (fourth, 32:21), Jelena Prokopcuka of Latvia (fifth, 32:26), and Kenya's Hilda Kibet (sixth, 32:36). Smith, who holds multiple New Zealand records, had shown excellent form a week earlier in another runner-up finish, a 15:15.22 5000 meters at the Reebok Grand Prix.

"I'm not a very experienced road racer, so to finish second in this race, against this field, is encouraging for me," Smith said.

Yamauchi was also pleased with her result and her ability to close hard. "Last week, I got pipped at the line in a race [Freihofer's Run for Women 5K] and got fifth, and I was really mad," she recounted. "After that, I told myself I'd fight all the way to the finish this week. From miles three to five, it felt quite hard, but I just tried to dig in and keep pushing."

The three top finishers are all headed to the IAAF World Championships in Osaka, Japan this August. Kiplagat plans to contest the 10,000 meters and Smith is leaning toward that event as well; Yamauchi will run the marathon.

NYRR president and CEO Mary Wittenberg saluted running pioneer and Mini co-founder Kathrine Switzer, who was on hand at the award ceremony. "Thirty-five years ago Kathrine and Fred [Lebow] were ahead of their time when they started this race," she said, "but even they didn't know just how important this race would continue to be."

Over 3,500 women finished the original and oldest women-only road race.

36th NYRR New York Mini 10K
New York, NY, Saturday, June 9, 2007

1) Lornah Kiplagat, NED, 32:10, $10,500
2) Kim Smith, NZL, 32:18, $6500
3) Mara Yamauchi, GBR, 32:21, $4500
4) Benita Johnson, AUS, 32:21, $3500
5) Jelena Prokopcuka, LAT, 32:26, $2500
6) Hilda Kibet, KEN, 32:36, $1500
7) Megumi Oshima, JPN, 32:56, $1350
8) Silvia Skvortsova, RUS, 33:01, $750
9) Yuri Kano, 28, JPN, 33:03, $600
10) Rehima Kedir, ETH, 33:21, $500
11) Yimenashu Taye, ETH, 33:36, $400
12) Nina Rillstone, NZL, 33:36, $300
13) Mari Ozaki, JPN, 33:41, $250
14) Akemi Ozaki, JPN, 33:54, $200
15) Kiyoko Shimahara, JPN, 33:58, $150

Full results and race photos at: NYRR.org

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Cleveland Marathon Announces Official 10K Results
Prize money extended and future entry fee waived for runners led off course

CLEVELAND - (June 8, 2007) - After consulting with USA Track & Field, the governing body for long distance running, and race directors of other prestigious major marathons, Cleveland Marathon Inc. officials have announced that runner chip-times in the 10K race will stand as the official race results.

In the 10K, Kenyan runners swept the top positions as George Misoi won the race in a photo finish over Vincent Kipligat both timed in 33 minutes, 24 seconds, while Philip Koech was third in 33:30. In the women's 10K, Nancy Citriglia of Winter Park, Colo., posted a winning time of 43:13. Kathy Sarkonis, Buffalo, N.Y., was second (43:41) and Anna Gathe, Fenton, Mo., was third (43:45).

The unusually high times for the flat and fast course resulted from a lead car error. Near the two mile mark of the 6.2 mile race, the lead car veered off course and approximately 80 of the 2,652 10K runners who completed the race followed. The winning Kenyans, who quickly realized they were off course, negotiated their way back onto the course and were still able to cross the finish line ahead of all other 10K runners. Elite female runners and many top Ohio and masters runners were not as fortunate, some running an estimated 8.4 miles to complete the race.

Because the of the lead car error, race officials sent emails or a postcard to all 10K participants asking those who went off course to identify themselves and will extend prize money to the top the finishers in that group.

"We know that the mistake made by our lead car primarily affected the outcomes of the women's 10K race and the finishing order of the top Ohio and masters runners," said Jack Staph, executive director of Cleveland Marathon Inc. "We deeply regret the mistake and accept full responsibility. So, in addition to awarding prize money to the winners based on actual chip times, we are going to award prize money to the top race finishers in all prize money categories from the group that identified themselves as having gone off course."

As of June 6, the deadline for responding the marathon's emails and postcard, 83 runners had reported running off course. A race official will contact the female, Ohio and masters winners from that group to notify them of their place and prize money. Additionally, Cleveland Marathon Inc. will waive race fees for either the 2008 or 2009 10K race for all 83 runners who reported running off course, he said.

"Almost every email or letter we received included an explanation of why the runner ran off course, and I thank everyone for their input and understanding. The information the runners provided has been very helpful in our investigation and in determining what changes we need to make next year," Staph said.

Likely changes include a later starting time for the 10K to relieve runner congestion with marathon and half-marathon runners at key turns and intersections early in the race, stationing race officials at key points along the course, improving race signage and providing larger course maps to runners in race packets.

Also, Staph said he has met with the security company that provides police for the race, the organization that provides drivers and navigators, and has scheduled a meeting with city officials.

"There are two things that I am certain of: This year's mistakes will result in changes that will make our 10K a better race next year and for many years to come; and, no matter how hard we try, we're just human and we make mistakes. Thankfully, our runners have shown understanding and compassion, and almost all said they plan to be back next year."

The 2008 Rite Cleveland Marathon, Half Marathon and 10K is scheduled for Sunday, May 18. More than 9,000 runners and walkers competed in the 30th anniversary race on May 20, 2007. For more information, visit ClevelandMarathon.com

Contact: Leigh Greenfelder, lg@HighlandPR.com; (330) 996-4140

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RRCA Selects Cincinnati as 2008 Convention Host
Convention to coincide with 10th Flying Pig Marathon weekend

CINCINNATI - (June 7, 2007) - The Road Runners Club of America, the national association of running clubs, running events and runners dedicated to promoting long distance running, has selected Cincinnati as the host of its 50th Anniversary Convention, scheduled for April 30 - May 4.

The RRCA Convention will coincide with the 10th annual Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon weekend, May 2-4, 2008.

"We could not be more excited to have the Road Runners Club of America visit Cincinnati during this special Marathon year," said Iris Simpson-Bush, Flying Pig executive director. "We are proud to have them choose Cincinnati for their half-century celebration."

"Cincinnati is a growing running community, thanks in large part to the Flying Pig Marathon, and was a clear partner to celebrate our 50th Anniversary with," said Jean Knaack, executive director. "We encourage everyone in the running community to join us in celebrating this monumental running event."

The RRCA Convention will be held at the Duke Energy Center in downtown Cincinnati, the site of the Flying Pig Expo and Expo-Tique presented by National City.

Founded in 1958, the Road Runners Club of America is a non-profit organization of more than 775 running clubs and events and 180,000 members across the United States. RRCA members organize races, have training runs, provide safety guidelines, promote children's, elite and masters fitness running programs and have social programs. Visit: RRCA.org

The 10th annual Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon weekend will be Friday, May 2 - Sunday, May 4, 2008, featuring the full marathon, Half Marathon presented by National City and Ernst & Young 4-Person Relay, Toyota 10K, 5K and the Piglet presented by First Watch, The Enquirer and Children's Hospital. Other events include the National City Expo and Expotique and Duke Energy Pasta "Pig Out" Dinner. Presenting sponsors are Duke Energy, National City, CoActive Marketing Group, Ernst and Young and Paycor. Visit: FlyingPigMarathon.com

The Flying Pig Marathon has been named one of the top 10 "Most Fun Runs" in the world by Runner's World magazine, one of the best corporate brands by Fast Company and is listed in "The Traveling Marathoner: A Complete Guide To Top U.S. Races and Sightseeing on the Run" by Elise Allen.

Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Director
(805) 696-6232
Ryan@RunningUSA.org | www.RunningUSA.org