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Browne, Shay Win USA 20K Titles at New Haven NEW HAVEN, Conn. - (September 3, 2007) - 2004 Olympian Dan Browne (Portland, Ore.) returned to New Haven for the first time since 2003 to lead the men's field at the 2007 USA 20K Championships, winning his third national title (2001, 2002) at that distance in 59 minutes, 19 seconds. Two-time NCAA 10,000 meter champion Alicia Shay, formerly Craig, (Flagstaff, Ariz.), claimed her first USA women's title in 1:06:56. Each national champion took home $7500 and produced personal records and the #7 and #6 all-time U.S. 20K times, respectively. The race was hosted by the 30th Stratton Faxon New Haven 20K. A group of about 12 men cruised through the first 10K in 30:10 before Browne, Jason Lehmkuhle (Minneapolis, Minn.), James Carney (Boulder, Colo.) and Ryan Sheehan (Rochester Hills, Mich.) made their break from the pack with a 4:31 mile. Shortly after eight miles, Sheehan fell off the pace while Browne, Carney and Lehmkuhle each took their shot at breaking away. As the trio passed 11 miles, Browne made one more move, covering the 12th mile in 4:31 and bringing him to the finish 19 seconds up on Carney (59:38). Lehmkuhle finished third in 59:42, with Sheehan and 2004 USA 20K champion Ryan Shay (Flagstaff, Ariz.) rounding out the top five in 1:00:33 and 1:01:21 respectively. In the women's race, Shay, Kate O'Neill (Milton, Mass.) and Elva Dryer (Gunnison, Colo.) ran together through four miles when 2004 Olympians O'Neill and Dryer opened a small gap on Shay. Never letting the pair out of her sight, Shay rejoined them at six miles before dropping a sub-five minute mile to make her bid for the title. At 11 miles, Dryer made an attempt to cut-down the 200 meter lead held by Shay, pulling away from O' Neill in the process; however, she would see her second consecutive year as national runner-up, finishing 22 seconds behind Shay. O'Neill placed third in 1:08:04, while Tara Storage (Dayton, Ohio) finished fourth in 1:09:39 and Desiree Davila (Rochester Hills, Mich.) fifth in 1:10:08. In addition to nearly $40,000 in prize money, athletes were competing for a berth on the U.S. team that will compete at the IAAF World Road Running Championships in Udine, Italy on Sunday, October 14. The Team USA squad for the global championships will be named the week of September 10. This marks the 15th year that the Stratton Faxon New Haven 20K has hosted the USA 20K Championships for men and the seventh for women and was the fifth stop on the 2007 USA Running Circuit (USARC), a USA Track & Field road series that features USA Championships from 5K to the marathon. 30th Stratton Faxon New
Haven 20K: USA Championship MEN WOMEN Complete results at: NewHavenRoadRace.org |
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Return to top / Return to main page Reta, Kiprono Win 30th Park Forest Scenic
10 Mile PARK FOREST, Ill. - (September 3, 2007) - Alene Reta of Ethiopia took the lead at the halfway mark of the 30th Park Forest Scenic 10 Mile and cruised to a comfortable victory Monday morning, Labor Day, September 3. The 25-year-old Reta, who trains in New York, posted a 47 minute, 17 second time in winning the event for the second time in three years. Reuben Chebii of Kenya duplicated his runner-up effort of last year with his 47:33. Defending champion Nelson Kiplagat of Kenya, who set a course record of 46:30 in his triumph last year, finished fifth in 49:39. Leah Kiprono of Kenya took the women's portion of the Scenic 10 in 55:06. It was her second road race win in three days. On Saturday, she captured the Celebrate Westlake 5 Mile in Cleveland, Ohio. Countrywoman Caroline Cheptanui was second in 55:12. The race, through the streets of Park Forest and an adjacent forest preserve, was run under clear skies and near 80-degree weather. More than 1,700 runners took part in the event, with another 450 entered in the 5-kilometer run held in concurrence with the Scenic 10. 30th Park Forest Scenic
10 Mile MEN WOMEN Deeper results at: Scenic10.com Return to top / Return to main page Contact: Mark Winitz, Win-It!z Sports Public Relations, (650) 948-0618 Kaiser Permanente Renews Title Sponsorship
of Napa Valley Marathon NAPA, Calif. - (August 30, 2007) - According to the proverb, the number "three" is a charm. Three fortunate developments transpired for the Kaiser Permanente Napa Valley Marathon this month which will bolster the 30th annual running of the race on Sunday, March 2, 2008. Charm #1: Kaiser Permanente Medical Centers renewed their title sponsorship with the 26.2-mile road race, extending the partnership for another three years, through 2010. Charm #2: Napa County provided approval for the marathon to extend its finishing time limit for participants an extra 30 minutes, from 5-1/2 hours to 6 hours. Charm #3: The race successfully recruited legendary marathon runner Joan Benoit Samuelson as a special guest for next year's race. "We're thrilled that Kaiser Permanente has made the commitment to sponsor the marathon for three additional years," said Rich Benyo, who co-directs the marathon with David Hill. "Besides contributing to the financial stability of our race, the fit between Kaiser Permanente's Thrive program and our personally motivated marathoners is a natural fit." The Kaiser Permanente Thrive campaign promotes and helps its members to get and stay healthy throughout their lives by taking an active role in partnership with their health care provider. Exercise, healthy eating habits and good health choices are important components of the Thrive message. "Kaiser Permanente physicians, nurses and physical therapists have provided medical support for the Napa Valley Marathon for many years," said Dr. James Cotter, the physician in charge of Kaiser Permanente's Napa Medical Offices. "Many of our physicians, staff and members have run in the marathon. A marathon requires determination and dedication to health and fitness. Our sponsorship of this outstanding event exemplifies our commitment to the health of our members and our community." Now, slower runners can enjoy healthy participation in the Napa Valley Marathon. The extension of the finishing time cutoff to 6 hours, when the marathon course will close, allows the approximately 2,000-participant race to accommodate runners who otherwise might not enter. Benyo said that a "fair number of marathoners have made the Napa Valley Marathon an annual ritual of spring." "But these runners are aging, or are running for other reasons such as for charity fund raising, rather than for fast times," Benyo explained. "An extra 30 minutes to finish means a lot to them." Following the trend of other marathons, the median finishing time for runners at the Kaiser Permanente Napa Valley Marathon has slowed over the years. The median times at the 2007 Napa Valley Marathon were 4 hours and 1 minute for men and 4:19 for women. The USA Track & Field certified (for distance) Napa Valley Marathon course along the Silverado Trail from Calistoga to Napa is relatively fast. "As new, less competitive runners have streamed into the marathon over the past ten years, marathon median times are noticeably slower compared to 25 to 30 years ago," said Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Director. "As a result, it makes logical sense for the Napa Valley Marathon to keep its course open longer." Statistics compiled by the Running USA Road Running Information Center show that although there were an estimated 410,000 finishers in U.S. marathons in 2006 compared to 143,000 finishers in 1980, median finishing times in U.S. marathons slowed - men from 3:32:17 (in 1980) to 4:15:34 (2006) and women from 4:03:39 (1980) to 4:46:40 (2006). The median age of these finishers has also increased -- men from age 34 (1980) to age 40 (2006) and women from age 31 (1980) to age 35 (2006). Regardless of talent or speed, many runners will jump at the opportunity to meet 1984 women's Olympic marathon gold medalist Joan Benoit Samuelson, an acknowledged pioneer and stateswoman in long distance running. Benoit Samuelson will deliver the keynote address during the 2008 Kaiser Permanente Napa Valley Marathon weekend, on Saturday, March 1, 2008 at the event's Marathon College. The Marathon College is an innovative speaker / seminar program that includes a "faculty" composed of respected running authorities and celebrity runners. It is free for the general public, and takes place at the Marriott Hotel & Spa, the race headquarters for the weekend. Benoit Samuelson not only won the gold medal at the inaugural women's Olympic Marathon at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles; she is the only American woman to win a gold medal in an Olympic Games Marathon. The following year, Benoit Samuelson set a U.S. record of 2:21:21 at the Chicago Marathon, a mark that stood for nearly 18 years until it was eclipsed by Deena Kastor. Among many other accomplishments, she also won the Boston Marathon in 1978 and 1983. Benoit Samuelson is the founder and chair of the TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon 10K in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. The 10-year-old race draws over 5,000 runners from all parts of the U.S. and elite athletes from around the world. As a masters competitor, Benoit Samuelson, who turned 50 this year on May 17, is still a highly visible, active athlete. In fact, the resident of Freeport, Maine will return to the Boston Marathon seven weeks after the 2008 Kaiser Permanente Napa Valley Marathon to compete in her seventh consecutive USA Women's Olympic Marathon Trials race. Instead of competing for a spot on the U.S. Olympic team, however, Benoit Samuelson will aim for a sub-3 hour finish. There's that number three again. "Joanie is definitely a charm. I can't think of a better ambassador of running and motivational speaker for our 30th anniversary race," said Benyo, a former executive editor of Runner's World magazine who serves as co-publisher/editor of Marathon & Beyond magazine when he's not directing the Napa Valley Marathon. "She's a magnet for runners of all ages, shapes, and abilities who just want to spend a single moment, or an hour, in her magical presence." Joan Benoit Samuelson's keynote address at the 2008 Kaiser Permanente Napa Valley Marathon is sponsored by Calistoga Mineral Water Company, a race sponsor since 1980. About the Marathon Following its goal of providing an extraordinary and safe running experience, last May the Napa Valley Marathon announced that it will prohibit the use of personal electronic devices such as portable music players by race participants. It became one of the first marathons to formally adopt the new USA Track & Field rule prohibiting these devices, citing the use of headsets during the race as unsafe. Entries are now open for the 2008 Kaiser Permanente Napa Valley Marathon. Entries are limited to the first 2,300 registrants. Runners can register for the marathon online or download an entry form at NapaValleyMarathon.org. Alternatively, contact the race via e-mail at nvm@napanet.net or telephone: (707) 255-2609 Return to top / Return to main page Contact: Anne Bitong, Marketing Director, (330) 375-2786, x3; abitong@akronmarathon.org Open Heart Surgery Patients to Run on Three Road Runner Akron Marathon Relay Teams AKRON, Ohio - (August 29, 2007) - At least 12 runners in the 2007 Road Runner Akron Marathon on Saturday, September 29 will be thinking about more than the praise and free goodies awaiting them at the finish line. The runners, ten of whom had open heart surgery and two spouses of open heart patients, have formed three relay teams to participate in the fifth annual race. Organization of the three relay teams started in early 2006 when Mark Siwik, a lawyer and business consultant from Broadview Heights, Ohio, and Paul Hobbs, a structural engineer from Burlington, Vt., organized their first relay team. Siwik, an avid marathon runner, and Hobbs, a former state cycling champion, wanted to bring together fellow athletes to celebrate their recovery from open heart surgery and to trade experiences about what it's like to recover both psychologically and physiologically from a life-threatening heart condition. The three relay teams, named Valve-O-Lenes I, Valve-O-Lenes II and Cardiac Athletes are comprised of runners of both genders, a variety of ages, a range of heart problems and hometowns spanning the country. The team members of the "Valve-O-Lene" relay teams met through an internet support group for heart patients known as ValveReplacement.Com. The oldest "Valve-O-Lene" and the runner traveling the farthest is Mel Pugliese from Lake Havasu City, Ariz. Pugliese, 69, began running 28 years ago as a New Year's resolution and completed 50 marathons before undergoing aortic valve replacement in October 2006. The "Cardiac Athletes" team represents the internet support group started by Lars Andrews, a cardiac physiologist in Portsmouth, United Kingdom (CardiacAthletes.org). Andrews' call for stories of athletes overcoming heart-related health issues was heard by New Yorker Dave Tuttle, 54, who took up marathon running after heavy smoking led to quadruple bypass at age 46. Tuttle's teammate in the Road Runner Akron Marathon relay is Mark Collier from Gilbert, S.C. Collier, 61, almost died from cardiac arrest in September 2006 from an irregular heart rhythm known as Long QT Syndrome. Collier has set his training so that he will run his 10,000th running mile upon completion of the Akron Marathon, just 370 days after his initial cardiac arrest. "Something we are very excited about is that two spouses of heart patients are also participating in the race," said Siwik. "Michelle Hobbs and Pam Bonner both faced the challenge of supporting their husband-athletes before and after surgery. They've worked very hard to see this day as well." "The spirit of the group is captured by Laura Fucci, a 47-year-old physical therapist from Mendham, N.J.," Hobbs said. "In January 2005, Laura underwent open heart surgery to replace her aortic valve and to repair an aneurysm. She's thrilled to able to compete again, and she serves as a living example to her patients that life should be lived to the fullest." The Road Runner Akron Marathon, which will hold its fifth annual race on September 29, offers the full marathon, the new half-marathon, a 5-person relay or a 2-person relay. Through the array of available events, runners are able to choose their distances from 3.1, 6.2, 7.6, 10.7, 13.1, 15.5 or 26.2-miles. For the second year, all runners who complete the full marathon will receive a free pair of running shoes. This year, Brooks Sports will be offering a number of male and female shoe styles from which runners can choose. The Road Runner Akron Marathon is organized by the Akron Marathon Charitable Corporation, a nonprofit group that is dedicated to promoting health and fitness. Additional information on the Road Runner Akron Marathon, Half Marathon and Team Relays is available at AkronMarathon.org or by calling (330) 375-2786 (2RUN). Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Director |
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