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Tola, Masai Win 36th CIGNA Falmouth Road Race
Men's champion takes his first Falmouth; Masters runner Masai does too and completes three win hat trick in three weeks
From Rich Sherman

FALMOUTH, Mass. - (August 10, 2008) - The first time was a charm for both the men's and women's winners of the 36th CIGNA Falmouth Road Race on Sunday. In addition, this year marked the first time that a Masters runner - 40 and older - topped the women's field, following her wins in consecutive weekends at the Bix 7 Mile in Davenport, Iowa and the Beach to Beacon 10K in Cape Elizabeth, Maine as Edith Masai, age 41, of Kenya crossed the finish line in 37 minutes, 2 seconds followed by Lyudmila Bitkasheva, 34, of Russia three seconds later in 37:05.

On the men's side, Tadese Tola, 20, finished in 32:01, which broke the nine-year Kenyan winning streak and also marked the first win here by an Ethiopian. The 2004 Olympic Marathon silver medalist and Team Running USA's Meb Keflezighi, 33, of Mammoth Lakes, Calif., finished second in 32:09. That time bettered his 2007 Falmouth runner-up finish by four seconds. Boaz Cheboiywo of Kenya placed third in 32:12. Both winning times were off the course records of 31:08 and 35:02 set by Gilbert Okari and Lornah Kiplagat in 2004 and 2000, respectively.

Azure blue skies and temperatures in the high 60s greeted the field at the Woods Hole starting line. By the time the runners reached the finish line of the seven mile course at Falmouth Heights, temperatures had only risen to the mid-70s, however the lack of ocean breezes eliminated any cooling effect for the nearly 11,000 participants.

The men's pack sprinted off the start line, and at the Nobska Light one mile split a group of 18-20 men clocked 4:32. Leaders included Tola, Keflezighi, Cheboiywo, Edward Muge, Dennis Ndiso and Dereje Tadesse. The leaders kept a clockwork pace, with the pack of 12 passing two miles in 9:05 for a 4:33 split. The group thinned to nine at three miles in 13:41 (4:36 mile split) and by the time the leaders reached four mile mark on scenic Surf Drive in 18:14 there were six including Tola, Cheboiywo, Keflezighi, Muge and Tadesse. The pack dwindled to four as Keflezighi, Muge, Tola and Cheboiywo passed mile five in 22:44 and the 10K in 27:27. Muge's attempt at matching Masai's road race hat trick - wins at Bix, Beach to Beacon and Falmouth - was not to be when he pulled off the course at six and a half miles.

At the one mile split, the women's lead pack included Masai, Bitkasheva, eventual third place finisher Angelina Mutuku of Kenya and American and 2004 Olympian Kate O'Neill. Having placed second to Masai in last week's Beach to Beacon, Bitkasheva decided to push the pace from mile two. At the five mile mark, a confident Masai made her move and never relinquished her lead. Bitkasheva battled Mutuku finally passing her on the last hills leading to the Falmouth Heights finish to take second. Following Mutuku's 37:07 were Mamitu Daska of Ethiopia in 37:15 and American Renee Metivier Baillie in 37:30.

Masai, collected prize money ($12,500) in both the Overall and Masters women's divisions. Two-time overall and two-time Masters Falmouth champion Colleen De Reuck of Boulder, Colo. took second in 38:17, sixth American and 13th overall. Moroccan Brahim Lahlafi, 40, won the Men's Masters division in 33:42. Sean Wade, 42, of Houston, Texas, finished second in 35:35.

Krige Schabort, 39, of Cedartown, Ga. shattered the Men's Wheelchair record by 18 seconds with his 23:35 win, while four-time race winner Tony Nogueira, finished second in 25:45. Jacqui Kapinowski for Point Pleasant, N.J. won the Women's Wheelchair division in 43:04.

Three-time Falmouth winner Bill Rodgers, age 60, of Sherborn, Mass., finished in a time of 49:23. Six-time Falmouth winner Joan Benoit Samuelson, age 51, of Freeport, Maine, who finished 25th overall in the Women's division with a time of 41:49, making her the fifth master and first senior finisher. Dick and Rick Hoyt finished in 58:36.

This year marked CIGNA Group Insurance's third title sponsorship. Karen S. Rohan, president of CIGNA Group Insurance and CIGNA Specialty Products, finished her 11th consecutive race. CIGNA provides employers with benefits, expertise and services that improve the health, well-being and productivity of their employees. With approximately 47 million covered lives in the United States and around the world, CIGNA's operating subsidiaries offer a full portfolio of medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy and vision care benefits and group life, accident and disability insurance.

The date of the 37th running of the CIGNA Falmouth Road Race will be held Sunday, August 9, 2009.

36th CIGNA Falmouth Road Race
Falmouth, MA, Sunday, August 10, 2008

MEN
1) Tadese Tola (ETH), 32:01, $10,000
2) Meb Keflezighi (USA / CA), 32:09, $10,000
3) Boaz Cheboiywo (KEN), 32:12, $2000
4) Samuel Ndereba (KEN), 32:25, $1500
5) Dereje Tadesse (ETH), 32:32, $1000
6) James Carney (USA / CO), 32:33, $3800
7) Lishan Yigezu (ETH), 32:35, $650
8) Girma Tolla (ETH), 32:45, $600
9) Ed Moran (USA / VA), 32:57, $2450
10) Hosea Rotich (KEN), 32:58, $350
Other U.S.
12) Brian Olinger (USA / OH), 33:12, $1500
13) Dan Browne (USA / OR), 33:18, $1000
15) Rod Koborsi (USA / DC), 33:26, $800

MASTERS Men (40+)
1) Brahim Lahlafi, 40, MAR, 33:42, $2500
2) Sean Wade, 42, USA / TX, 35:35, $1000
3) Paul Mwangi, 41, KEN, 35:54, $750
4) Gideon Mutisya, 41, KEN, 36:24, $500
5) Gene Mitchell, 40, USA / PA, 37:15, $250

WOMEN
1) Edith Masai, 41, KEN, 37:02, $12,500
2) Lyudmila Bitkasheva (RUS), 37:05, $5000
3) Angelina Mutuku (KEN), 37:07, $2000
4) Mamitu Daska (ETH), 37:15, $1500
5) Renee Metivier Baillie (USA / AZ), 37:30, $6000
6) Amy Rudolph (USA / RI), 37:34, $3800
7) Aziza Ayilu (ETH), 37:36, $650
8) Jane Gakunyi (KEN), 37:40, $600
9) Elva Dryer (USA / CO), 37:45, $2450
10) Rebecca Donaghue (USA / PA), 37:49, $1850
Other U.S.
11) Kate O'Neill (USA / CA), 37:53, $1000
14) Melissa Cook (USA / TX), 38:19, $600
15) Julie Culley (USA / VA), 38:24, $400

MASTERS Women (40+)
1) Masai, see above
2) Colleen De Reuck, 44, USA / CO, 38:19, $1800
3) Albina Gallyamova, 44, RUS, 40:14, $750
4) Kathy Fleming, 40, USA / MA, 41:35, $500
5) Joan Benoit Samuelson, 51, USA / ME, 41:49, $250

Complete results at: FalmouthRoadRace.com

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Rankin Wins CIGNA Falmouth Mile in Record Setting Style
Mortimer women's champion at 14th edition
By James Womboldt, race staff

FALMOUTH, Mass. - (August 9, 2008) - The 2008 CIGNA Falmouth Mile on Saturday evening concluded with a meet record and two personal records as Jon Rankin of San Diego, Calif., crossed the line in 3:56.45 at the Falmouth High School track. John Jefferson of Eugene, Ore. finished second in 3:56.82, a PR by three seconds, while Kurt Benninger of Canada followed closely behind for third (3:56.99), also a PR and a time worthy of the sub-four minute bonus of $500. Ed Moran, Williamsburg, Va., barely missed breaking four minutes, finishing in 4:00.01. Will Leer of Eugene took fifth in 4:00.58, while Tim Nelson from Madison, Wis. and Sean Quigley of Philadelphia ran 4:01.14 and 4:01.97, respectively, for sixth and seventh.

Last year's Falmouth Mile champion, Jonathon Riley, Madison, Wis., a former Brookline high school distance star, crossed the line in 4:02.51 for eighth place. Riley's time was off his 2007 performance and previous meet record of 3:57.07. Places nine and ten were taken by Abiyot Endale of Ethiopia and Christian Hesch of Morro Beach, Calif.

The men were led for the first 800 meters by pacer Robert Gibson, a recent graduate of Brookline High School and soon-to-be freshman at the University of Texas. Gibson hit the halfway mark in 1:57.5 before dropping off and making way for Rankin to lead until the finish. Rankin, 26, came through 800 meters in 1:57.6 and 1200 meters in 2:58.6. Rankin, Benninger and Moran pulled away from the rest of field after 900 meters, and with 600 meters to go, Jefferson made his move to secure second place. Jon Rankin's performance in Falmouth follows his sixth place finish in the 1500 meters at this year's U.S. Olympic Trials.

In the women's mile, three different runners led before Amy Mortimer, 26, separated herself from the pack with 150 meters to go. Mary Jayne (Harrelson) Reeves, Jenelle Deatherage and Tiffany McWilliams each led a lap until Mortimer of Providence, R.I. ran her last 400 meters in 65.1 seconds to win in 4:32.90. McWilliams of Starkville, Miss. followed Mortimer to finish second in 4:33.88. Julie Culley, Arlington, Va. took third with a personal record by four seconds in 4:34.38. Fourth place went to Reeves of Newman, Ga., who crossed the line in 4:37.27, while fifth place was claimed by Deatherage in 4:38.09.

Reeves led the women through the opening 400 meters in 68.1 seconds before Deatherage took the lead and brought them through the 800 meter mark in 2:16. McWilliams carried the closely spaced group to 1200 meters in 3:26 and continued until the final stretch where she finished second behind Mortimer who was fifth at this year's Olympic Trials in the 1500m. Last year, Mortimer finished second in 4:38.44.

14th CIGNA Falmouth Mile
Falmouth, MA, Saturday, August 9, 2008

MEN
1) Jon Rankin (CA), 3:56.45*, $1500
2) John Jefferson (OR), 3:56.82, $1000
3) Kurt Benninger (CAN), 3:56.99, $750
4) Ed Moran (VA), 4:00.01, $100
5) Will Leer (OR), 4:00.58
6) Tim Nelson (WI), 4:01.14
7) Sean Quigley (PA), 4:01.97
8) Jonathon Riley (WI), 4:02.51
*meet record (previous record, 3:57.07, Jonathon Riley, 2007)

WOMEN
1) Amy Mortimer (RI), 4:32.90, $1000
2) Tiffany McWilliams (MS), 4:33.88, $500
3) Julie Culley (VA), 4:34.38, $250
4) Mary Jayne Reeves (GA), 4:37.27, $100
5) Jenelle Deatherage (MN), 4:38.09

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Ominami Twins Headline Professional Field at America's Finest City Half Marathon presented by Nissan
Hiromi Ominami to defend title at sold-out 31st edition

SAN DIEGO - (August 10, 2008) - Defending women's champion Hiromi Ominami of Japan and her identical twin sister, Takami Ominami, last year's runner-up, will headline the women's professional field at the 31st America's Finest City Half Marathon presented by Nissan (AFC Half), announced the race organizer. Over 8,000 runners are expected to participate in the sold-out 13.1-mile road race set for Sunday, August 17 in San Diego.

In the men's field, Justin Young of Superior, Colo. will line up with a pack of Africans including Ethiopian Ezkyas Sisay and Kenyans Joseph Chirlee, Daniel Cheruiyot and Jynocel Basweti.

A top contender for the overall win, Young ran a six-minute personal best last April at the Fortis Rotterdam Marathon finishing in 2 hours, 13 minutes and 54 seconds - the second fastest U.S. marathon time of this year. Young, 29, comes to the race with a 1:03:58 half-marathon personal record (2007 USA National Half-Marathon Championships). An American male has not been the overall champion at the AFC Half since 1987.

Chirlee, 28, owns the fastest half-marathon personal record of the field (1:02:18 at the 2006 Philadelphia Distance Run). This will be Chirlee's first visit to San Diego since the 2007 Rock 'N' Roll Marathon where he tripped and fell just a few feet before the finish line but recovered for a fourth place finish (2:12:10).

Other Americans in the field include Trent Briney, who finished fourth in the 2004 U.S. Men's Olympic Marathon Trials (2:12:35) and 2008 U.S. Men's Olympics Marathon Trials finisher Allen Wagner (2:18:25).

The Ominami twins, 32, have not raced together on American soil since Hiromi clocked a 1:12:49 victory at last year's AFC Half with Takami following in 1:14:58. Hiromi, the first born of the duo, has a half-marathon PR of 1:08:45 with Takami holding a 1:10:21 PR at the distance.

The women's field will also include Hyvon Ngetich of Kenya, who placed third at the 3M Half Marathon in Austin, Texas last January (1:09:45), Leah Kiprono, also of Kenya, who ran in the 2007 AFC Half (1:17:20) and Ethiopian Zemedkun Gebre Belainesh who clocked 1:13:20 at the 2007 Parkersburg Half Marathon.

Three finishers of the 2008 U.S. Women's Olympic Marathon Trials will also join the women's field including: Mary Akor (2:39:34 at the Trials), Sally Meyerhoff (2:39:39) and Kara Roy (2:45:25).

The AFC Half course records are 1:02:24 for the men and 1:10:37 for the women. Competitors in the half-marathon will vie for $13,700 in prize money and bonuses.

The 31st AFC Half course starts at the Carbrillo National Monument, passes by the San Diego Bay and finishes in historic Balboa Park. The accompanying AFC 5K starts and finishes in Balboa Park.

Produced by Neil Finn Sports Management, Inc., the event weekend benefits the Cabrillo National Monument Foundation, the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and numerous other community organizations.

For more information, visit AFChalf.com or call (760) 692-2900.

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Runner's World Selects Top Trail Running Shoes in October 2008 Issue
Three award winning shoes among 12 distinguished pairs

NEW YORK - (August 8, 2008) - Runner's World magazine, the worldwide authority on running information, highlights and reviews nine of the best new trail running shoes on the market in its annual Fall Trail Running Shoe Guide special, on sale Tuesday, September 9, 2008.

Of the nine shoes featured - all of which were put through rigorous testing by Runner's World editors, 200 wear-testers and the one-of-a-kind Runner's World Shoe Lab - three were cited as the best in class in the following categories: Editor's Choice, Best Debut and Best Buy. Criteria guidelines for each category, and winners in those categories for the 2008 Trail Running Shoe Guide are as follows:

* Editor's Choice: Saucony Xodus, $100 - represents an outstanding shoe that successfully combines the highest-quality design and technology. The Saucony Xodus received the highest marks from the Runner's World Shoe Lab, the wear-testers and the editors. Noted for its surprisingly soft and lightweight feel, cushioned ride and sturdy outsole, the Xodus is recommended for runners looking for excellent support across tricky terrain.

* Best Debut: Vasque Aether Tech SS, $120 - recognizes a new release that receives high marks from the Runner's World Shoe Lab, from wear-testers and from Runner's World editors. While as-yet unproven over the long haul, the Vasque Aether Tech SS represents a promising new addition to its category. Noted for the innovative dial mounted to the shoe's tongue to control the lacing system, the Aether Tech is recommended for runners looking for a snug fit and good traction on sloppy trails.

* Best Buy: LaSportiva Crosslite, $90 - acknowledges a shoe that offers the best fit and function for its price. Testers say they enjoyed the lightweight feel and sturdy outsole of the LaSportiva Crosslite. Recommended for runners who like to feel the trail underfoot and want a minimal shoe with great traction.

Testing at the Runner's World Shoe Lab is coordinated by Sport Biomechanics, Inc., and supervised by the Department of Sports Medicine at Michigan State University. Trail shoes are tested for cushioning (how soft / firm the midsole is), flexibility (how much energy it takes to flex the shoe at toe-off) and responsiveness (how smoothly a shoe moves from heel-strike to toe-off).

Testers, who must log a minimum of 25 miles per week, run in the shoes for about a month before submitting their evaluations, noting their total mileage run in each shoe and rating it for qualities including weight, traction, cushioning, support, lacing system and upper material comfort, among other categories.

Runner's World is the only magazine in the world to independently test running shoes in this way, in order to give its editors the most objective means necessary to determine which shoes are most deserving of award status. Because Runner's World only tests and reviews the best products available, shoes that have been tested may use the "Tested by the Runner's World Shoe Lab" label.

To read the entire Fall 2008 Trail Running Shoe Guide, check out the October 2008 issue of Runner's World, or visit RunnersWorld.com to read in depth reviews of all the featured shoes.

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