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The 10 Best Moments for U.S. Distance Running in 2008
By Ryan Lamppa, Running USA wire

Since 2001, U.S. distance running has produced some noteworthy and historic achievements, particularly compared to its status the years before 2001, and 2008 was another year of achievement and outside powerhouses Kenya and Ethiopia, no country had a better year than the USA if one considers the entire sport. In 2008, U.S. distance runners had success on the track, on the roads, up and down mountains and over trails and turf. There was some disappointment in the U.S. distance performances at the Beijing Olympics, but when only one bronze medal is considered a "disappointment" than certainly the bar and expectations have been raised since 2001 and those are good things for the sports further development.

Below are the 10 best moments in U.S. distance running for the year:

#10
Yoder Begley Gets Olympic "A" Standard at Olympic Trials and Beijing Berth
At the Olympic Trials, on Friday, June 27, Amy Yoder Begley willed her way to a personal record 31:43.60 for the coveted third place spot. Moreover, a big negative split of 16:10 vs. 15:33 (and propelled by the Eugene crowd), the Arkansas grad earned the Olympic "A" standard by 1.4 seconds and a trip to China.

#9
Jurek Three-Peats at the Spartathlon Ultra
Last September, ultra star Scott Jurek became the first man to win three consecutive times the storied Spartathlon endurance race in Greece. The Seattle resident traversed the grueling 152.8 mile / 246K course from Athens to Sparta in 22 hours, 20 minutes, 1 second, the fifth fastest race time (and his best time); only ultra legend Yiannis Kouros has run faster at the event.

#8
U.S. Women's Steeplechase Record Chase by Barringer and Willard
During 2008, U.S. steeplechasers Jenny Barringer and Anna Willard had a record duel, and at the KBC Night of Athletics meet in July, Barringer edged Willard, 9:22.73 to 9:22.76, to shatter Willard's U.S. record (9:27.59) set at the Olympic Trials. Later in Beijing, Barringer, a Colorado University student in Boulder, reset the U.S. record with her 9:22.26 at the Olympic steeplechase final where she finished 9th (Willard was 10th).

#7
Kastor's Late Charge Captures Olympic Marathon Trials
At the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials in Boston on April 20, U.S. record holder and 2004 Olympic bronze medalist Deena Kastor of Mammoth Lakes, Calif. became a three-time Olympian with a negative split, comeback win in 2:29:35 (second fastest women's Trials performance). Magdalena Lewy Boulet, who led until the 23rd mile, earned the second Beijing berth as runner-up in 2:30:19 (a personal record), while 2004 OMT 4th place finisher Blake Russell nabbed the coveted third Olympic spot with a controlled 2:32:40. An impressive 14 of the top 16 set personal records over the multi-loop course in downtown Boston.

#6
Goucher Breaks U.S. Debut Record at ING New York City Marathon
On November 2, Kara Goucher, with her 2:25:53 at New York to finish third behind defending champion Paula Radcliffe and master Ludmila Petrova, broke Deena Kastor's U.S. marathon debut record of 2:26:58 from 2001 New York City. Goucher, a 2008 Olympian, also became the third fastest U.S. woman behind Kastor and Joan Benoit Samuelson.

#5
California State Meet Wows with National and State 1600 & 3200 Meter Records
At the California CIF State Track Meet on May 31, Christine Babcock and German Fernandez, with impressive solo efforts, set national scholastic records at 1600 and 3200 meters, 4:33.82 and 8:34.23, respectively. Two hours earlier, Fernandez broke the 1600 meter state meet record with his solo 4:00.29 (a 4:01.7 mile equivalent). Many in the sport consider his distance double the best ever in U.S. boys high school track history. Also, if that wasn't enough, in the girls 3200 meters, Jordan Hasay and Laurynne Chetelat pushed each other for 8 laps with Hasay just edging Chetelat, 9:52.13 to 9:52.51 - both under the old state meet record and the #2 and #3 H.S. performances all-time. Wow.

#4
Flanagan Shatters U.S. 10,000m Record at Cardinal Invite
On May 4 at Stanford University, Shalane Flanagan, 26, demolished the U.S. and U.S. All-Comers 10,000 meter record with a 30:34.49 clocking - in her debut at the distance. The old U.S. mark, also set on the same track, was 2004 Olympic medalist Deena Kastor's 30:50.32 from 2002. Flanagan, who also holds the U.S. 5000m record, and New Zealand's Kim Smith raced around the track together before Flanagan of Pittsboro, N.C. pulled away at the end. Smith set an NZL/Oceania record with her 30:35.54, and ten women ran under the 2008 Olympic Games "A" standard of 31:45.

#3
Ritzenhein, Hall 9th and 10th in the Olympic Marathon
Under less than ideal conditions for 26.2 miles, Dathan Ritzenhein and Ryan Hall finished 9th (2:11:59) and 10th (2:12:33) at the Olympic Marathon in Beijing. Sammy Wanjiru of Kenyan ran an otherworldly Olympic record 2:06:32 in the heat and humidity. Historically, Ritzenhein and Hall also produced the 4th and 6th fastest Olympic Marathon times by the U.S, and in the modern era, it was the second best U.S. men's team by place total with 41 points (9 + 10 + 22 - Brian Sell) behind the 1972 team of Frank Shorter, Kenny Moore and Jack Bacheler (1 + 4 + 9 = 14).

#2
Hall Pops 2:06:17 Marathon at London - #2 U.S. performer all-time
At the Flora London Marathon on April 13 against a stellar field, Ryan Hall of Mammoth Lakes, Calif. ran another impressive marathon to finish 5th in 2:06:17, only former course and world record holder Khalid Khannouchi has run faster (twice) as an American. In his third marathon, the Team Running USA athlete continued his development as he prepped for the Beijing Olympics. The top six men broke 2:07, the first time that has ever happened at the same marathon on the same day. Winner Martin Lel of Kenya defended his London title with a course record 2:05:15.

#1
Flanagan Earns Olympic 10,000m Bronze Medal and AR at Beijing
At the Beijing Olympics on August 15, Shalane Flanagan won the bronze medal in 30:22.22, shattering her own U.S. record and equaling the best-ever U.S. women's performance in the event. Earlier in the week, the 2004 Olympian had suffered from food poisoning. Flanagan's hardware was the first American track medal, male or female, at a distance longer than 400 meters since Lynn Jennings' bronze in Barcelona 1992, which was also a U.S. record at the time. Tirunesh Dibaba (ETH) and Elvan Abeylegesse (TUR) won the gold and silver medals with impressive times under 30 minutes, 29:54.66 and 29:56.34, respectively.

HONORABLE MENTION
* In November, Kami Semick won the silver medal at the 100K World Cup in Italy to also lead the Team USA women to the silver medal. Semick's time of 7 hours, 33 minutes, 58 seconds made her the second fastest U.S. woman for 62 plus miles (only the legendary Ann Trason is faster).

* At the World Mountain Running Trophy hosted by Switzerland in September, the U.S. men's team won their first medal at the competition, while Alex Dunne earned a bronze medal in the Junior girls race (also the first for the USA).

* At the recent Foot Locker Cross Country Championships in San Diego, Jordan Hasay won her second title, edging 2007 champion Ashley Brasovan, but the best moment was in the boys' race when Zack Torres dove at the finish line to tie Dylan Sorensen for 15th, the final All-American position. The heart of a champion sometimes is displayed by the person who doesn't break the tape first.

* Sophomore Lisa Koll of Iowa State, at the Stanford Invitational, ran a 32:11.13 for 10,000 meters to break the U.S. collegiate record of 32:19.97 set by Stanford's Alicia Shay (nee Craig) in 2004 on the same track.

* Led by rising star Emily Brown, the Team USA women were edged by Australia, 84 points to 87 points, for the bronze medal at the World Cross Country Championships in Edinburgh, Scotland. As a first-time Team USA member, Brown, 23, finished 18th overall against a top international field.

* On June 6, Jen Rhines finished 5th and set a PR 14:54.29 at the Bislett Games 5000 meters to become the 4th fastest U.S. woman at the distance.

* At the Cardinal Invitational 5000 meters, Colorado's Brent Vaughn ran 13:18.46 to finish second, the #4 collegiate all-time performance.

* With her 14:58.48 personal record and first sub-15, Lauren Fleshman won the Reebok Grand Prix 5000 meters in New York City on May 31.

* The 2008 U.S. Women's Olympic Marathon Trials was part of the Boston Marathon weekend and a smashing success.

* At the same Olympic Trials, Joan Benoit Samuelson's career came full circle in Boston with her final "serious" marathon, and for good measure, the inaugural women's U.S. Olympic Trials and Olympic Marathon champion (1984) set a U.S. 50-54 age group record with her 2:49:08 clocking. Brava!

* At the ING New York City Marathon, three-time Olympian Abdi Abdirahman led four U.S. men into the top 10 with his sixth place finish (2:14:17), followed by Josh Rohatinsky seventh (2:14:23), Jason Lehmkuhle eighth (2:14:30) and Bolota Asmerom tenth (2:16:37). It was the most U.S. men to place in the top 10 in New York since 1982, when Alberto Salazar's victory in 2:09:25 led five Americans in the top 10.

* The Olympic Track & Field Trials returned to Eugene, Oregon and famed Hayward Field, and the knowledgeable crowds were large and loud.

* With a commanding performance in Terre Haute, Indiana, Galen Rupp won his first NCAA Cross Country title to lead the Oregon Ducks to their second consecutive team title.

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Kara Goucher to Run 2009 Boston Marathon
Olympian and World Championship medalist seeks U.S. win; joins Olympian Ryan Hall on John Hancock Elite Team

BOSTON - (December 16, 2008) - In its 24th year as the principal sponsor of the Boston Marathon, John Hancock Financial has announced the signing of Olympian and World Championship bronze medalist Kara Goucher for the 113th running of the storied race on Monday, April 20, 2009.

Internationally accomplished on the track, Goucher's debut in the marathon this past November fulfilled all expectations. Her 2:25:53 third place performance in New York City, set a number of American women's marathon records: the fastest debut ever, the fastest time ever run on the course, and the fastest time of 2008. With those credentials, Goucher is poised for a top finish at Boston, where the last American winner was Lisa Larsen Weidenbach in 1985, and before her Joan Benoit in 1983.

"I could not be more excited to participate in the 2009 Boston Marathon on the John Hancock Elite Team," said Goucher. "As an American, Boston is an incredible opportunity to run a Major Marathon. The race has a history like no other and its legacy spans generations. I am so thankful to continue my journey toward my goal of becoming the best runner in the world here in the United States."

With Boston champion Alberto Salazar as her coach, Goucher, 30, is certain to learn how to manage the difficult course, as did Salazar in his famous 1982 course-record duel with Dick Beardsley.

"Coach Salazar will guide me to be ready to tackle the course, and the infamous Heartbreak Hill," added Goucher. "Winning Boston is my next big challenge, and I could not have picked a bigger stage."

The 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials winner in the 5000m and runner-up in the 10,000m, Goucher went to the Beijing Olympic Games and in one of the hardest doubles on the track, finished ninth in the 5000m and 10th in the 10,000m (30:55.16, PR).

At the 2007 IAAF World Outdoor Championships in Osaka, she won the bronze medal in the 10,000m, becoming the first American to ever medal in that event. On the roads, in her first half-marathon, Goucher handed world marathon record holder Paula Radcliffe of Great Britain a rare defeat by winning the 2007 Great North Run in 1:06:57, one of the fastest times in the world.

"Kara Goucher will add a new level of excitement to the 2009 Boston Marathon. Not only is she a dynamic competitor but her coach, Alberto Salazar, knows all about winning in Boston," said Executive Director Guy Morse, of the Boston Athletic Association. "With Kara joining Ryan Hall on the John Hancock Elite Team, the 113th Boston Marathon will feature not only two of America's finest athletes, but two of our sport's top young stars. We look forward to seeing them compete alongside the best marathon runners from around the world."

A 2001 University of Colorado graduate and seven-time All-American, Goucher grew up in Duluth, Minn. Married to professional runner and 2000 Olympian Adam Goucher for the past seven years, the couple trains with the Nike Oregon Project and resides in Portland, Ore. The Gouchers continue to help support and promote running on the national youth level.

For more information, visit: BostonMarathon.org

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Twin Cities Marathon, Inc. Awarded 2009 USA Championship Events
USA Women's, Men's and Masters' Marathon Championships, USA Men's and Women's 10 Mile Championships and Inaugural USA 1 Mile Road Championships

MINNEAPOLIS - (December 12, 2008) - USA Track & Field has named Twin Cities Marathon, Inc. host of the inaugural 2009 Men's and Women's USA 1 Mile Road Championships through 2012 with an annual prize purse of $20,000. Also awarded were the 2009 USA Women's Marathon Championship and the 2009 USA Men's 10 Mile Championship. Twin Cities Marathon, Inc. will also host the 2010 USA Men's Marathon Championship and the 2010 USA Women's 10 Mile Championship. The current USA Masters Marathon Championships are held at Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon through 2010, and will now continue through 2015. The announcements were made during the 30th USA Track & Field Annual Meeting. National championship events offer professional runners the chance to compete for the national title and a significant prize purse.

"USATF is delighted to work with Twin Cities Marathon, Inc. in presenting these championship events," said Fred Finke, Interim High Performance Division Chair and Long Distance Running Chair, USATF. "Twin Cities Marathon, Inc. has a long history of support for American athletes and the development of distance running in this country. Their quality events and attention to the athletes reflects the mission of USATF and makes the Twin Cities a natural choice for hosting national championships."

The 5th Medtronic TC 1 Mile, which will serve as the Inaugural USA 1 Mile Road Championships, takes place on Thursday, May 7, 2009 along the Nicollet Mall in Minneapolis. Race officials expect a very competitive field in what has become the second largest one mile road race in the nation.

"This will be the first time for a road mile championship in USATF history and we're excited and honored to have the opportunity to showcase Minneapolis in this way," said Twin Cities Marathon, Inc. race director Brian Mastel.

The Twin Cities will host the 28th Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon and 11th Medtronic TC 10 Mile on Sunday, October 4, 2009. As host to the USA Women's Marathon Championship, and the USA Masters Marathon Championships, and USA Men's 10 Mile Championship, Twin Cities Marathon, Inc. will welcome top-named athletes from across the nation, who will compete for a USA Women's Marathon Championship prize purse of $72,500 and a USA Men's 10 Mile Championship prize purse of $25,000.

"The timing of hosting these championships on October 4 means top athletes from all over the United States will comprise our professional fields, as the women compete for the national title and as the men prepare for the 2008 USA Men's Marathon Championship later in the year," said Twin Cities Marathon, Inc. executive director Virginia Brophy Achman. "As we saw in 2007, when we hosted the USA Men's 10 Mile Championship, this race draws a very competitive field because the distance ties in closely with training for a final long distance event like the marathon championship. It will be an exciting year for us and we are proud to have been selected as host of all of these events."

In 2008, Twin Cities Marathon, Inc. hosted the USA Women's 10 Mile Championship and the USA Men's Marathon and Masters Marathon Championships on October 5.

Visit MTCMarathon.org for more information.

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Swaney, Mitchell Win Rose Bowl Half Marathon
Four course records in half-marathon and 5K

PASADENA, Calif. - (December 13, 2008) - In only its second year, the Rose Bowl Half Marathon once again proved itself to be an exciting event with a challenging course for half-marathoners and 5K runners alike. Though the skies were grey, the conditions were perfect for runners as they took on the 13.1-mile course through the scenic historic streets of Pasadena and four course records were set on Saturday morning.

From the starting point in front of the Rose Bowl, the most well-known stadium in the United States, the half-marathon course took runners around Pasadena and through the hills of the Arroyo Canyon. Runners got the best of both worlds, switching from trails to city streets and from flats to hills. Leading the half-marathoners was 27-year-old Matthew Swaney of Venice, Calif. Swaney finished in 1 hour, 12 minutes and 25 seconds, a course record by more than eight minutes.

The top women's finisher was Emily Mitchell of Hermosa Beach. Having celebrated her 30th birthday just the day before, Mitchell gave herself a present with a 1:26:06 win, also a course record. Though birthdays are hard for some, Mitchell said, "I chose to race on that day to celebrate since running and the love for running are so much a part of my life."

The 5K made a complete loop around the Rose Bowl and Brookside Golf Course. Runners could keep their eyes on the historic stadium for the duration of the run, while at the same time taking in the splendor of the hills of Pasadena. Charging through the 5K finish line first was Los Angeles resident Andres Diaz in 16:20. The winner of the women's races was 14-year-old Ashley Matsen of Temecula who ran 19:34. Both also set course records.

Waiting for runners beyond the finish line, after medals were awarded and pictures were taken, was a Post-Race Finish Festival at the Rose Bowl Court of Champions. The festival included live music from the Andrew Jed Band, a Michelob Ultra beer garden, and plenty of food and fun for all who participated in the event.

2nd Rose Bowl Half Marathon
Pasadena, CA, Saturday, December 13, 2008

MEN
1) Matthew Swaney (CA), 1:12:25*
2) John Moss (CA), 1:19:08
3) Edgar Lopez (CA), 1:19:58
*course record (old record, 1:21:01, Patrick Donovan)

WOMEN
1) Emily Mitchell (CA), 1:26:06*
2) Sarah Hart (CA), 1:27:37
3) Melissa Marsted, 43, CA, 1:31:06
*course record (old record, 1:29:55, Melissa Marsted)

Find complete race results at: www.pacificsportsllc.com

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