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Wardian, Beck Win USATF 50 Mile Trail Titles at White River
From Jim Estes, USATF

INDIANAPOLIS - For the eighth year in a row on Saturday, July 26, the White River 50 Mile in Crystal Mountain, Wash. was the site of the USATF 50 Mile Trail Championship. The course, sporting spectacular views along the White River and on the Noble Knob Trail in the Norse Peak Wilderness, claims a total of 17,600 feet elevation change.

This year's record field included 238 starters and 202 finishers, which is a reflection of the excellent job done by race director Scott McCoubrey and his staff of volunteers and associates from the Seattle Running Company.

This year's race saw the early men's field packed tightly. At 17 miles at Corral Pass, Jason Bryant (Elkin, N.C.) led the charge, feeling that the pace was relaxed. Bryant most recently represented the United States at the NACAC Mountain Championships in Mexico. In tow were a "Who's Who" of trail ultra running including 2008 USA 50K and 100K champion Michael Wardian (Arlington, Va.), 2007 USA 50K and 100K champion Greg Crowther and a host of others, all highly credentialed and deserving of front pack attendance. The split for the first 10 runners was about 3 minutes.

At the 27 mile aid station, Wardian appeared first, coming through the aid station 3 minutes ahead of Jasper Halekas (Oakland, Calif.). Wardian, the fastest marathoner in the group, used his superior leg speed to catch and break away from the field during the long four-mile descent down the Ranger Creek Trail.

After a long climb to Sun Top, with the massive Mt. Rainer in the backdrop, Wardian fought his way up the rugged single track trail and to the aid station at the top. This time he was followed closely by Adam Lint (Indiana, Pa.), just a minute back. Lint worked hard climbing, closing the distance on Wardian.

Wardian gained the final choke hold on the field on the long downhill from Sun Top to the turn at Skookum Flats, a 6.4 mile dirt road, where he opened up and let his leg speed dispose of the field, building an additional 5 minutes on his lead over Lint.

Wardian charged up the rocky trail over the final six miles to seal his win by just under seven minutes. His time of 6 hours, 52 minutes, 50 seconds was third fastest in race history. Lint finished a strong second in 6:59:36, with Halekas (Oakland, Calif.) finishing third in 7:04:25.

The women's race turned out to be a slugfest between marathon specialist Susannah Beck (Eugene, Ore.) and Kami Semick (Bend, Ore.). At the same time the men's lead pack formed a train and pulled up the hill to Corral Pass, Beck, 40, was the caboose of the men's lead pack, coming through the 17 mile mark just 2 minutes 35 seconds behind the men's leader. Semick, 42, was seven minutes back of Beck. While Beck appeared to be working hard but running strongly, Semick looked relaxed and stayed on a pre-planned pace for a prescribed finish time she believed would be good enough for the win.

By the 27 mile aid station, Semick had cut the lead to just under two minutes, as she used her great downhill technique to make up ground on Beck. On the climb up to Sun Top, Semick caught and passed Beck. It took Beck nearly 3/4 of the 6.4 mile descent to catch and pass Semick again. At the turn on to Skookum Flats and into the final six miles along the White River, Beck had a minute lead over Semick. At that point, Beck, the 1998 USA 12K champion, ran hard along the rocky trail all the way to the finish, building over a 10 minute lead over Semick.

Beck's finishing time of 7:32:12 was a new women's course record by seven minutes, eclipsing that of Nikki Kimball set at the 2007 race. Semick's second place 7:42:54 turned out to be the fourth-fastest women's time in race history, and also Semick's fastest on the course in her three White River appearances. Annie Thiessen (Tacoma, Wash.) finished third in 8:29:45.

The race also served as USATF Masters National 50 Mile Trail Championship and awards were given to age group winners in five-year increments (40-44, 45-49, etc.). William Emerson (Portland, Ore.) won the men's Masters age division in 7:30:21, while women's overall winner Beck was crowned women's Masters champion.

White River 50 Mile Trail Run: USA Trail Championships
Crystal Mountain, WA, Saturday, July 26, 2008

MEN
1) Michael Wardian (VA), 6:52:50, $1000
2) Adam Lint (PA), 6:59:36, $600
3) Jasper Halekas (CA), 7:04:25, $300
4) Greg Crowther (WA), 7:07:39, $200
5) Aaron Heidt (CAN), 7:08:20
6) John Berta (WA), 7:14:00
7) Josh Brimhall (NV), 7:14:53, $100
8) Jonathan Basham (PA), 7:16:58
9) William Emerson, 44, OR, 7:30:21, $700
10) Matt Lonergan (OR), 7:36:54

MASTERS Men (40+)
1) Emerson, see above
2) Mark Lantz, 43, CA, 7:52:34, $400
3) Ralph Pooler, 41, WA, 8:06:36
4) Alex Swenson, 44, WA, 8:21:13, $250

WOMEN
1) Susannah Beck, 40, OR, 7:32:12*, $1700
2) Kami Semick, 42, OR, 7:42:54, $1000
3) Annie Thiessen (WA), 8:29:45, $300
4) Nicola Gildersleeve (CAN), 8:34:35
5) Alison Hanks (WA), 8:36:37, $200
6) Kendra Ralstin, 40, WA, 8:51:07, $350
7) Shawn Lawson (WA), 8:51:12
8) Laura Gould (WA), 8:53:20
9) Gwen Scott, 41, WA, 8:55:56, $150
10) Darla Brader (OR), 9:20:21
*course record (previous record, 7:39:35, Nikki Kimball, 2007)

MASTERS Women (40+)
1) Beck, see above
2) Semick, see above
3) Ralstin, see above
4) Scott, see above

For complete results, go to: www.seattlerunningcompany.com/WR50/results08.html

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Riley to Defend CIGNA Falmouth Mile Title
Top field expected at summer track mile

FALMOUTH, Mass. - (July 25, 2008) - Jonathon Riley, former Stanford University and Brookline High School distance star, has committed to return and run the 2008 CIGNA Falmouth Mile on Saturday, August 9 at Falmouth High School. The women's race is at 6:15pm and the men at 6:30pm. Last year, Riley, 29, a 2004 Olympian at 5000 meters, broke four minutes for the first time in his career and set a meet record and a personal record of 3:57.07.

Mile director John Carroll was delighted to learn that Riley would return: "It is great to have the athletes come back and run before local fans. This completes a great field for both the men's and women's race this season."

Riley told Carroll, "I am in good shape and want to run faster than last year," but Carroll expects he will be pressed by his Wisconsin-based training partner, Chris Solinsky, who finished second last year. At the U.S. Olympic Trials 5000 meter race, Solinsky was the leader a good part of the way before dropping off the pace. Will Leer of Eugene, Ore., and the Oregon Track Club, who just missed the U.S. Olympic team by .54 seconds when he finished fourth in the 1500 meters, will also push the pace. The rest of the field will include John Jefferson, also from the Oregon Track Club, who was sixth last year; Shane Stroup of Highland, Md. and Abiyot Endale from Ethiopia and the Westchester Track Club, New York.

The top woman is likely to be Amy Mortimer, Providence, R.I., who was runner-up last year. Mortimer placed fifth in the recent Olympic Trials 1500 meters and has raced well in Europe the past several weeks, running 4:06 in several 1500 meter races. Her main competition should come from Treniere Clement of Knoxville, Tenn., three-time U.S. outdoor 1500m champion (2005-07) and 2006 U.S indoor 1500m champion. Mary Jayne Reeves, Newnan, Ga., the 2000-03 Falmouth Mile champion, Jenelle Deatherage, St. Paul, Minn., who has run every Falmouth mile since 2002, including second in '05; Lindsey Gallo, Ann Arbor, Mich., who was sixth at the recent Olympic Trials 1500 meters and placed third in Falmouth '05 and Julie Culley of Arlington, Va., seventh at the Olympic Trials 5000 meters. Completing the field will be Rhodes Scholar and 2007 World Championship 5000 meter runner Michelle Sikes of Lakewood, Ohio.

For more information on the CIGNA Falmouth Mile, go to: FalmouthRoadRace.com

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Naser Wins Boston Scientific Heart of the Summer 10K
McGregor second; Herbst-Lucke third just misses U.S. masters record; Chesang men's champion
By Mackenzie Lobby, Running USA wire

MINNEAPOLIS - (July 26, 2008) - Ethiopian Teyba Naser seized the win on Saturday, July 26th at the Boston Scientific Heart of the Summer Elite Women's 10K in 32 minutes, 49 seconds. Following closely behind was Team USA Minnesota's Katie McGregor, the recent fourth place finisher at the recent U.S. Olympic Trials in the 10,000 meters. Perhaps the most notable finisher was Stephanie Herbst-Lucke, 42, who missed the U.S. master's 10K record by only five seconds, finishing in third place.

The fifth edition offered a relatively flat course to runners as they made two loops around Lake Nokomis in Minneapolis, Minn. With a mission of educating women about the risks of cardiovascular disease, Boston Scientific has made a point to include an elite women's 10K race each year alongside the Open 10K race.

The calm, cool weather made for a fast start. A 5:04 first mile quickly separated the front-runners, which included Naser, McGregor, Herbst-Lucke and Caroline Rotich at the 5K mark.

McGregor, who led for the majority of the race explained, "I kept trying to get away." Her attempts to drop the pack were unsuccessful. She went on to say "we started really fast and slowed down" referring to the 5:18 second mile.

With only 400 meters left, Naser made her decisive move, flying by McGregor and Herbst-Lucke, snagging the win by five seconds. The Ethiopian runner, who trains in New Mexico, explained that she "felt relaxed" throughout the race, allowing her to conserve some much needed energy for her final kick. She felt that she bided her time well by hanging with the front pack throughout the race and then closing more aggressively.

Herbst-Lucke was pleased with her 32:55 finish, but in regards to the U.S. masters record she stated, "I wish I had known I was that close." The "even, smooth course" gave Herbst-Lucke of Atlanta optimal conditions for the chance to come so close to breaking the record held by four-time Olympian Colleen De Reuck.

McGregor's 2005 course record, 32:17, still stands. In addition, the men's course record of 28:57, set in 2006 by Mathew Chesang, also remains, although Chesang did manage to pull off another win this year with his 30:23. He was followed by Matt Downin, who finished in 30:41 and John Rotich in 31:08.

Between the professional women's race and the Open 10K race, there were 301 female finishers and 266 male finishers. A total prize purse of $15,000 was doled out for this year's race, $12,100 of which was awarded to the top ten women. The race will continue to attract elite and recreational distance runners alike in its quest to raise awareness about cardiovascular disease.

5th Boston Scientific Heart of the Summer 10K
Minneapolis, MN, Saturday, July 26, 2008

WOMEN
1) Teyba Naser (ETH), 32:49, $4000
2) Katie McGregor (USA / MN), 32:54, $3000
3) Stephanie Herbst-Lucke, 42, USA / GA, 32:55, $2000
4) Caroline Rotich (KEN), 33:19, $1000
5) Frashiah Waithaka (ETH), 34:50, $600
6) Jenna Boren (USA / MN), 34:55, $500
7) Zeddy Chepkoech (KEN), 36:37, $400
8) Jennifer Houck (USA / MN), 37:16, $300
9) Angie Williams (USA / MN), 37:51, $200
10) Mary Palmer (USA / MN), 37:52, $100

MEN
1) Mathew Chesang (KEN), 30:23, $1000
2) Matt Downin (USA / WI), 30:41, $750
3) John Rotich (KEN), 31:08, $500

More race results at: HeartofSummer.org

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ABB Foundation to Make Charitable Donation to Houston Food Bank
Contribution made in honor of ABB Team Challenge winners at 2009 Chevron Houston Marathon events

HOUSTON - (July 16, 2008) - ABB Inc. has announced that it will make a financial donation to one of the Chevron Houston Marathon's Run for a Reason charities. The donation will be made in honor of the winners of the ABB Team Challenge.

The ABB Team Challenge, the newest addition to the marathon's family of events, aims to encourage fitness and fundraising by encouraging companies, running clubs, charitable groups and individuals to form teams to participate in the city's marathon, half-marathon or 5K. Awards will be presented to top racing and fundraising teams.

The ABB Foundation, ABB's charitable giving arm, will make donations as follows:

* $2000 for first (in each of the marathon, half-marathon and Open divisions)
* $1250 for second (in each of the marathon, half-marathon and Open divisions)
* $750 for third (in each of the marathon, half-marathon and open divisions)
* $2250 for the fundraiser to raise the greatest amount of money among all ABB Team Challenge entries

All donations will be made directly to the Houston Food Bank, in honor of the winners. ABB employees in the Houston area selected the Houston Food Bank as the recipient of the ABB Team Challenge awards. In addition, ABB's employees hope to raise an additional $50,000 for the food bank in 2008 through a series of fundraising events and employee contributions, as well as further support from ABB Foundation.

"ABB is committed to supporting the communities where its people live and work. ABB Foundation, which is primarily funded through ABB employee contributions, gives us a chance to provide financial assistance to local charities or other organizations in need," said Veli-Matti Reinikkala, president of ABB's Process Automation division. "The Run for a Reason program gave us a great opportunity to identify and select a local charity which we could support, which turned out to be the Houston Food Bank."

"The Houston Marathon Committee's Run for a Reason program raised over $1.25 million for charity in 2008," said Brant Kotch, Race Director of the Chevron Houston Marathon. "With the addition of the ABB Team Challenge, the program aims to raise even more funds in 2009."

ABB provides power and automation technologies to utility and industry customers to improve performance and reduce environmental impact. The company employs 500 people in the Houston area, global headquarters of its Process Automation Division, and more than 110,000 people in about 100 countries worldwide.

Details of the ABB Team Challenge are available at: ChevronHoustonMarathon.com

The Chevron Houston Marathon, a Running USA Founding Member, is the nation's premier winter marathon, annually attracting participants from all 50 U.S. states and nearly 30 foreign countries. The Chevron Houston Marathon offers the only closed marathon course in Texas and is ranked among the top five in the nation by the Ultimate Guide to Marathons for fastest course, organization and crowd support. More information is available online at ChevronHoustonMarathon.com or by calling (713) 957-3453.

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