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McGregor, Rudolph, Dryer Headline USA Women's 8K Championship in Akron
From USATF

INDIANAPOLIS - (September 24, 2008) - Two-time USA 10K champion Katie McGregor (St. Louis Park, Minn.) leads the field at Saturday's USA Women's 8K Championships in Akron, Ohio. The national road championship race will be an invitation-only event, held in conjunction with the 6th Road Runner Akron Marathon.

McGregor, 31, will face a strong field that includes 2008 USA 20K champion Jill Steffens (Athens, Ga.) and two-time Olympians and 2008 USA 20K runner-up Elva Dryer (Gunnison, Colo.) and two-time USA 8K champion Amy Rudolph (Providence, R.I.).

The runner-up at last weekend's USA 5K Championships, Renee Metivier-Baillie (Flagstaff, Ariz.) will lead additional contenders Molly Huddle (Providence, R.I.), Carrie Messner-Vickers (Vail, Colo.) and Rebecca Donaghue (State College, Pa.), who respectively finished third, fourth and fifth last weekend in Providence.

The depth of the field continues with the addition of 2008 Olympic steeplechaser Lindsey Anderson (Ogden, Utah) and Sara Slattery (Mammoth Lakes, Calif.), the 2005 NCAA 10,000 meters champion.

Sponsored by the Akron Community Foundation, the national championship will start at 7:30am and will offer $23,500 in prize money with $7500 going to the USA champion.

The USA Women's 8K Championship is the seventh stop on the 2008 USA Running Circuit (USARC) for women. The USARC, a USA Track & Field road series, features USA Championships from 5K to the marathon and attracts the best U.S. distance runners. The fourteenth edition for the men and thirteenth for the women, the 2008 circuit has eight events for men and nine events for women. Currently, 2007 USARC champion Deena Kastor tops the women's standings with 45 points, while Dan Browne, 2001-02 USARC champion, leads the men with 44 points.

The first ten U.S. runners earn points at each USARC race (15 for first, 12 for second, 10 for third, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1), with a final $12,500 grand prix purse ($6000, $4000, and $2500) for the top three men and women point scorers overall. The USARC points at the USA Marathon Championships will be doubled.

The mission of the USA Running Circuit is to showcase, support and promote U.S. runners. Since its inception in 1995, the USARC and its races have provided more than $7 million dollars to U.S. distance runners.

For more information on the 2008 USARC, visit: USATF.org

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Second World Marathon Majors Series Nears Conclusion
Six athletes - including defending champions - remain in contention for $1 million prize

With the Beijing Olympic Games having come to a close and the Fall / Autumn marathon season about to begin, the 2007-08 World Marathon Majors Series men's and women's titles remain very much up in the air. Last year, both titles were decided in the final two races of the Series. With six athletes still in contention in 2007-08 - two men and four women - the Series is headed for another exciting conclusion. Athletes will have three chances to score points before the champions are crowned on November 3 in New York City:

September 28, real,-Berlin-Marathon
October 12, Bank of America Chicago Marathon
November 2, ING New York City Marathon

The men's race is down to two contenders: defending champion Robert K. Cheruiyot and his training partner Martin Lel, both from Kenya. Lel holds a substantial 21-point lead, but has already scored in four events (the maximum number allowed in a two-year scoring period). Should he choose to race again, Lel could still improve his score by improving upon his 5th place finish in the Olympic Games. For Cheruiyot to defend his WMM Series title, he will first have to recover from the injury which forced him to withdraw from the Olympics. Then, only a victory - coupled with Lel failing to add to his lead - would give Cheruiyot the crown.

The women's race is a bit more complicated. Defending champion Gete Wami of Ethiopia holds a 15-point advantage, but like Lel, she has already scored in four events. Wami would have to place first or second in a Fall race to improve her 65-point total. Should she fail to do so, the door will be opened for three women to challenge for the WMM Series championship.

Olympic bronze medalist Zhou Chunxiu of China (50 pts.) sits in second place, and holds a tie-break advantage versus Wami by virtue of their head-to-head record, so a victory or runner-up placing this Fall could give Zhou the win. Meanwhile, Olympic silver medalist Catherine Ndereba of Kenya (41 pts.) would surpass Wami by a slim 1-point margin with a win. Irina Mikitenko of Germany also still has an outside chance. Injury prevented her from competing in the Olympic Games, but a win at Berlin on September 28 would vault her into a tie for first with Wami.

If there is a tie atop the leaderboard following the last race in the Series, New York City on November 2, the tie would be broken by head-to-head record. If the athletes remain tied, the WMM race directors would decide the champion by a vote.

The 2007-08 World Marathon Majors Series champions will be honored and presented with their $500,000 checks at a special luncheon in New York City on Monday, November 3, the day after the 2008 ING New York City Marathon.

Complete WMM Series leaderboards and more can be found at: WorldMarathonMajors.com

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Runner Stories Worth Up to 26.2% Registration Discount at Spring Marathon
Promotion rewards interesting, inspirational anecdotes related to completing 13.1 or 26.2 miles at 2009 ING Georgia Marathon & Half

ATLANTA - In the past two years, some of the most triumphant tales of achievement from the ING Georgia Marathon & Half Marathon had no connection between runners and record times. Rather, participants shared stories that went beyond the field of competition to inspirational victories of losing more than 100 pounds, of completing a 100th marathon, of covering miles for a loved one, and of using prosthetics in a successful test of endurance.

For runners, walkers and wheelers who will share their compelling inspirational and encouraging stories of why they want to participate at this event on Sunday, March 29, 2009, race organizers will offer an "Every Runner Has a Story" discount on registration fees: a 13.1% discount for 13.1 miles and a 26.2% discount for 26.2 miles.

"Our race is now a solid fixture on the running calendar for the spring. About this time each year, about six months out, is the perfect time for recreational athletes to make a special commitment for our marathon. What we find rewarding is that our event provides a finish line for so much more than just a race, but a compelling reason to achieve personal goals of fitness, well-being and teamwork. And this is just a small way we can say 'thank you' in return for making the ING Georgia Marathon & Half Marathon a special event," said Victoria Seahorn, race director with US Road Sports & Entertainment Group, which owns and operates the ING Georgia Marathon & Half Marathon.

Early registration for the half-marathon and wheelchair half-marathon is $60 through Dec 31, 2008; the registration will increase to $75 from Jan. 1 to March 18, 2009. Early registration for the marathon is $80 through Dec 31, 2008; the registration will be $95 from Jan. 1 to March 18, 2009. The "Every Runner Has a Story" promotional discount is valid through September 30, 2008. The half-marathon entry fee would be $52.14, reflecting a savings of $7.86. The marathon entry fee would be $59.04, reflecting a savings of $20.96.

To share a personal story for "Every Runner Has a Story", applicants are asked to send a short description via email to Director of Race Operation Stacy Embretson (stacy@inggeorgiamarathon.com), along with name, address and daytime telephone number. Applicants will be sent a discount code that can be used with the event registration form. And stories that could help inspire others will be posted on the event website, INGgeorgiamarathon.com. Embretson recommends that each personal story should answer a question, such as:

* Why did you select running to honor a friend / family member?
* How will this event help you overcome a personal obstacle?
* What is your main challenge to crossing the finish line?

The ING Georgia Marathon & Half Marathon has had 14,000 or more registered runners each of the past two years. According to Running USA, the 13,730 runners who participated in the inaugural 2007 marathon and half-marathon (15,000 registered) were part of the second largest inaugural combo running event of all time. The inaugural event had a completion rate of 97% and the 2008 event had a 99% completion rate.

"We expect the event to sell out this year with 15,000 registrations. Last year's new start and finish area in Centennial Olympic Park and the 26 hydration stations were a hit with participants," added Seahorn. The 2009 ING Georgia Marathon & Half Marathon will offer a two-day Health & Wellness Expo in downtown Atlanta, with Centennial Olympic Park hosting the start / finish line and race-day activities.

More information is available at: INGgeorgiamarathon.com

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Marine Corps Marathon to Use ChronoTrack Timing Systems, Inc. for 2008 Race
New disposable tag replaces ChampionChip to record results

QUANTICO, Va. - The 2008 Marine Corps Marathon, set for Sunday, October 26, has announced that it will partner with ChronoTrack Timing Systems, Inc. to record the results of runners along the course. The new system, which replaces ChampionChip, will utilize a light-weight disposable timing tag. The "D-tag" will record a runner's official time, beginning when a participant crosses the start line and concluding as he or she passes the finish, as well as split times every 5K along the course.

"With splits available every 5K along the course, the D-tag offers spectators more opportunities to track runners and offers participants more post-race feedback about their run," said Rick Nealis, Race Director.

The D-tag also offers runners a more streamlined race experience than the traditional chip system. D-tags are attached to participant bib and clearly marked with the corresponding bib number. Unlike traditional chips, the D-tag will not need to be scanned, making the Packet Pick-up process quicker than ever before. On race day, runners simply secure the D-tag through their shoelaces and they are ready to run. After crossing the finish, runners do not need to return the tag and can dispose of it at their convenience.

The D-tag will be the only timing system utilized on the 2008 MCM Course. Runners who purchased a Marine Corps Marathon ChampionChip during the registration process will be contacted by ChampionChip and issued a full refund.

Voted "Best Marathon for Families", the Marine Corps Marathon continues a combined tradition of dedication, sportsmanship and patriotism. Runners from all walks of life have participated in the world's largest marathon to not offer prize money, deservingly earning the nickname "The People's Marathon." The 33rd MCM to be held on Sunday, October 26, 2008 in Arlington, VA is presented by USAA, Brooks Sports, Inc. and CVS Caremark. For more information, visit: MarineMarathon.com

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