Running USA wire 20, March 12, 2009

Running USA Celebrates Its 10th Year

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Running USA Celebrates Its 10th Year
National non-profit organization marks a decade of achievement to build and promote the sport

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - (March 13, 2009) - On this day, March 13th, ten years ago in Los Angeles, Running USA was launched by leading figures and events in U.S. distance running with USA Track & Field in an historic partnership. From its original press release, the national industry non-profit organization was created to improve "the status of road racing in the United States through collective marketing and promotions, services to runners and events and the development of American world class stars."

"It is hard to believe that ten years has already passed since our formation, but we look back - with pride and passion - at our successes and development, and moreover, with initiatives such as "20 in 10" - 20 million race participants in 10 years, we look ahead with our members, sponsors and partners to further grow and promote the vibrant sport that we know and love," said Allan Steinfeld, Running USA's first and long-standing president.

Since its inception in March 1999, Running USA's ten major accomplishments to build and promote the sport include:

1) jump-started the U.S. distance running resurgence
2) established Team Running USA which led to two Olympic medals and many other noteworthy achievements
3) the resource center and clearinghouse for the sport and media
4) annual running industry conference - the sport's largest
5) the Running USA wire - twice weekly news on the sport
6) the Running USA E-News - weekly industry news
7) annual marathon and State of the Sport reports - widely cited
8) grown from 51 Founding Members to more than 250 members
9) the coordination and promotion of youth running programs - RunningRocks.com
10) comprehensive Runner Rankings with Active.com - 5 million runner performances in 2008

Running USA recognizes and thanks the following Founders and Founding Members who made the organization a reality.

FOUNDERS
Steve Bosley, David Coyne, Steve & Joy Edwards, Ed Froehlich, David Hannah, Basil & Linda Honikman, Danny Grimes, Wally Kastner, Creigh Kelley, Ryan Lamppa, Craig Masback, Tim Murphy, Bill Reef and Allan Steinfeld

51 FOUNDING MEMBERS (joined Running USA during its first year)
Active.com, adidas, All American Trail Running Association (AATRA), Alta Peruvian Lodge Downhill Dash 8K, America's Finest City Half-Marathon, American Ultrarunning Association (AUA), Army Ten-Miler, ASICS Corporation, Bank of America Gasparilla Distance Classic 15K, Big Sur International Marathon, BKB Ltd., Bolder Boulder 10K, ChampionChip, Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon, City of Los Angeles Marathon, Columbus Marathon, Crim Festival of Races, Do It Sports, Elite Racing, EMMI, Examiner Bay to Breakers 12K, Florida Running Festival, Food Fitness International, Freihofer's Run for Women 5K, Gate River Run 15K, GetFit.com, Gold Medal Event Management, Inc., Indian Path Medical Center & SunTrust Bank Crazy 8's 8K, Jefferson Hospital Philadelphia Distance Run, Kinane Events, Marty Liquori Productions, Methodist Health Care Houston Marathon, National Sports Network, New York City Marathon, Nike, Inc., Park Forest Scenic 10 Mile Run, PhotoRun, PowerBar, Quad-City Times Bix 7, RhodyCo Productions, Runner's World, The Running Network, Salmini Films, Inc., Shooting Star Media, Steamboat Classic 4 Mile, Summit Exhibition Management, Tulsa Run 15K, Twin Cities Marathon, USA Track & Field, Utica Boilermaker 15K and Wharf to Wharf Race

For more information on Running USA and its objectives, contact Ryan Lamppa at (805) 696-6232 or ryan@runningusa.org or visit: RunningUSA.org

Eight Olympians to Compete for USA 15K Titles at Gate River

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By: USATF
Eight Olympians to Compete for USA 15K Titles at Gate River

Carlson to defend men's national crown; $58,000 national championship purse

INDIANAPOLIS - (March 11, 2009) - Defending men's champion Andrew Carlson (Flagstaff, Ariz.) takes on a field that includes eight Olympians at the USA 15K Championship this Saturday, March 14 in Jacksonville, Fla. This marks the 16th year that the national championship has been hosted by the Gate River Run, the country's largest 15K.

Set to challenge Carlson for the U.S. title will be 2008 Olympians Jorge Torres (Boulder, Colo.), Ian Dobson (Mammoth Lakes, Calif.) and Anthony Famiglietti (Knoxville, Tenn.) as well as 2004 Olympian and 2000 USA 15K champion Dan Browne (Beaverton, Ore.).

In a field that includes eight of the top ten U.S.-ranked road racers from 2008, contenders for the men's title will also include 2008 USA Cross Country runner-up Tim Nelson (Portland, Ore) and fellow World Cross Country team member Ed Moran (Williamsburg, Va.). Also in the mix will be the 2008 USA Marathon champion and U.S. 25K record holder Fernando Cabada (Boulder, Colo.) and Jason Lehmkuhle (Minneapolis, Minn.), a member of the U.S. team at the 2008 World Half-Marathon Championships.

The women's field will feature five of the top ten road athletes from 2008 as well as a rare appearance on the USA Running Circuit from Amy Yoder Begley (Portland, Ore.), a 2008 Olympian at 10,000 meters. Additional Olympians in the women's field include 2004 Olympic marathoner Colleen De Reuck (Boulder, Colo.), two-time Olympian Elva Dryer (Gunnison, Colo.) and two-time Olympian at 5000 meters Amy Rudolph (Providence, R.I.).

Also considered strong challengers for the women's title will be Emily Brown (Minneapolis, Minn.), the women's 8K champion at last month's USA Cross Country Championships, and her Team USA Minnesota teammate Katie McGregor (St. Louis Park, Minn.).

For a deeper athlete list, go to: www.usatf.org/events/2009/USA15kmChampionships/entry/status.asp

At the 32nd Gate River Run, athletes will compete for a total prize purse of $58,000, with the national champions earning $12,000 each. The event is also part of the 2009 USA Running Circuit, a USA Track & Field road racing series featuring USA Championships from 1 mile to the marathon.

This year's race will once again feature the Equalizer Bonus, awarding $5000 to the first male or female to cross the finish line, with the top-seeded women beginning 5 minutes before the men. The 5 minute "head start" is based on the time differential of the U.S. 15K records: 42:22 for the men (Todd Williams, 1995) and 47:15 for the women (Deena Drossin, 2003), both set on the Gate River Run course. In 2008, men's U.S. champion Andrew Carlson won the Equalizer Bonus.

Additional bonuses of $10,000 will be offered for a World record (41:29 - men; 46:55 - women); $5000 for a U.S. record (42:22 - men; 47:15 - women) and $3000 for a course record (42:22 - men; 47:15 - women).

Video race highlights
For the second time in 2009, video highlights of a USA Championship and pre- and post-race video interviews with top athletes will be made available throughout race weekend in cooperation with Flotrack.com.

Catalina Marathon Offers Challenging Course, Breathtaking Scenery and Laid-Back Island Atmosphere: "Best Off-Road Marathon in the World" celebrates 32nd edition and American Trail Championship finale

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AVALON, Calif. - In its 32nd year, the Catalina Marathon - set for Saturday, March 14 - will give runners the thrill of a lifetime - the chance to run from one side of Catalina Island to the other, with only dirt trails and buffalo between themselves and the finish line. The beasts have become a mascot of Catalina, and roam freely along the inside of the island and marathoners might just catch a glimpse of one or two as they traverse 23 miles of fire roads from Two Harbors to Avalon. The trail run is sandwiched between two 1.5-mile stretches of city roads.

Named Runner's World's "Best Off-Road Marathon in the World", the Catalina Marathon is an instant favorite with athletes because of its degree of difficulty, breathtaking scenery and laid-back island atmosphere.

The course is a difficult one, taking athletes up hills that reach elevations of nearly 1,800 feet, but the experience and amazing scenic views make the hard work worth it. From the top of the island, runners can see Pacific Ocean in all directions, and on clear days can spot the mainland.

In conjunction with the full 26.2-mile run, the Catalina Marathon offers a 10K, 5K and Kids run, all of which lead runners through the streets of Avalon, the main city on the island.

The Catalina Marathon is also the second leg of the American Trail Championship, a premier trail series that includes last month's Buffalo Run Half Marathon, also on Catalina. The combined times of the Buffalo Run and Catalina Marathon will determine an American Trail Champion. Mike Whitcombe, who finished second in the ATC standings in 2008, is on track to compete for the 2009 ATC title as the winner of this February's Buffalo Run (with a time of 1:27:21).

This year's field includes runners from 32 different states, including a large contingent from California. The race has become an international hit as well, bringing in athletes from Germany, China and the United Arab Emirates.

For information or to register for the Catalina Marathon, visit PacificSportsLLC.com or call (714) 978-1528.

Rock 'n' Roll Seattle to Offer Innovative New Training System: Focus-N-Fly training program perfect resource for runners of all levels

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SEATTLE - (March 11, 2009) - The inaugural Rock 'n' Roll Seattle Marathon and ½ Marathon will take place on Saturday, June 27, 2009 and March is the best time to start training for it. As a part of creating the best runner experience possible at the event, Rock 'n' Roll Seattle is offering an exciting new training service. Through a partnership with Focus-N-Fly, all race participants have an exclusive opportunity to use an advanced interactive training system to help them prepare for either the marathon or half-marathon races. This approach has been particularly effective for runners trying to gain a qualification mark for the Boston Marathon or set a new PR for either distance.

"We are excited to partner with the Rock 'n' Roll Seattle to offer runners the only fully automated, data-driven training solution. This new interactive training program will help you run your best race ever," said Tom McGlynn, 3-time U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials qualifier and founder of Focus-N-Fly. "The website is extremely user-friendly and also features a forum where race participants can discuss nutrition, shoes and injuries."

The training program, developed through interaction with and analysis of Olympic athletes, is designed for runners of all ability levels. It has helped dozens of runners qualify for their first Boston Marathon and has been used by Team In Training for first-time participants. After signing up, users are encouraged to watch the 1 minute "How-To" video and find out how this training has worked for thousands of like-minded runners.

"With daily email reminders and a web-based calendar, Focus-N-Fly is a terrific resource for training," said Megan Young, Rock 'n' Roll Seattle Event Manager. "Training programs can help runners reach new fitness goals, as well as teach them how to train effectively, efficiently and safely for either of the event's 26.2 or 13.1-mile races."

The Focus-N-Fly training system collects a variety of personal information upon initial login and then utilizes this data against the thousands of workouts and records in its database to generate an individualized schedule. The training adapts to each participant's fitness level, as they enter training log details and run / time trial results so that paces, progression and variance adapt accordingly.

Focus-N-Fly also offers helpful webinars on the course, weather, race day nutrition, strategy and attire. If runners have any questions about running, walking or racing they can jump over to the members-only social forum and converse with hundreds of other runners.

For more information or to access an exclusive Focus-N-Fly training offer, visit: www.rnrseattle.com/training/interactive/ or www.focusnfly.com