Running USA wire 42, May 25, 2009
Ethiopia Sweeps BolderBOULDER 10K Titles
edit this articleBy: Mike Sandrock, Running USA wire
Carney, Asmerom lead Team USA to second at International Team Challenge
BOULDER, Colo. - (May 25, 2009) - Yesterday, James Carney celebrated his 31st birthday and then on Monday, Carney celebrated the nation's largest Memorial Day gathering by leading Team USA to a solid runner-up finish at the 12th International Team Challenge, part of the 31st Dick's Sporting Goods BolderBOULDER 10K.
Carney placed fourth overall in 29 minutes, 53 seconds, with teammate Bolota Asmerom one spot back. Fasil Bizuneh outsprinted Ethiopia's Gebo Berka on the stadium floor on the University of Colorado campus to place 15th, giving Team USA a total of 24 points. That earned the U.S. runners a three-way split of $27,500. Ethiopia, with 1-2 finishes by both its men and women, took both team titles.
Men's winner Tilahun Regassa, just 19, had only teammate Tadese Tola, winner of the Healthy Kidney 10K, and John Yuda of Tanzania for company after a 2 minute, 30 second opening kilometer. At the mile, passed in an incredible 4:10, Regassa was accelerating and looking like a middle distance runner.
"We hung back," said Carney, who along with Asmerom passed the mile in 4:27, "then we picked up the pieces when people shattered going into the neighborhoods. It worked out like we expected."
Regassa was 8:47 at two miles and looked to have a good shot at breaking Josphat Machuka's course and high altitude record of 27:52 from 1995. However, glancing over his shoulder several times down Folsom Street to the finish and smiling to the crowd, Regassa slowed climbing the final hill, finishing in 28:17, the third faster Boulder time ever.
The women's race was also fast in the early going, with the leaders passing the mile in sub-5 minutes, well under course record. Top Team USA finisher Tera Moody hung back in 5:18. "We went out way too fast," she said. "We wanted to be 5:30 (at the mile). I felt like I was jogging, and felt good until 4 miles. Mentally I was struggling after that. But the crowd was so loud at the end; winning some prize money helped."
The U.S. women earned $8000 as the fifth place team.
Up ahead, Ethiopia looked like it might take a 1-2-3 sweep, but ended up with a 1-2-6 team finish. Mamito Daska pulled away from teammate Teyba Erkesso to win in 32:48 to 33:02. Moody was the first U.S. runner, placing 14th in 35:43, followed by fellow Colorado residents Carrie Messner (16th, 35:52) and Alisha Williams (19th, 36:16).
"I have been racing a lot recently and would not have run today, except that it was for Team USA," said Messner, who, like Moody, is a graduate of University of Colorado. "The crowd was incredible. It was deafening."
Race director Cliff Bosley made some adjustment in the race program, with the Memorial Day celebration now coming after the finish of the professional races. The change worked to perfection. The Folsom Field football stadium was nearly full, and as if on cue, as the last note of the Star Spangled Banner sounded and the U.S. fighter jets passed overhead, thunder pealed in the darkening sky and rain began to fall.
"It was a bit of skill and a lot of luck," Bosley said afterwards. "It worked great."
As elite athlete coordinator Don Janicki put it, standing on the football stadium floor, "This is giving me goosebumps."
31st Dick's Sporting Goods BolderBOULDER 10K: 12th International Team Challenge
Boulder, CO, Monday, May 25, 2009
MEN
1) Tilahun Regassa (ETH), 28:17, $5750
2) Tadese Tola (ETH), 28:36, $3500
3) John Yuda, Tanzania (British Commonwealth), 29:16, $2500
4) James Carney (USA), 29:53, $2500
5) Bolota Asmerom (USA), 30:02, $1600
6) Gilbert Okari (KEN), 30:06, $700
7) Charles Munyeki (KEN), 30:08, $600
8) Franklin Tenorio (ECU), 30:12, $500
9) Alejandro Suarez (MEX), 30:14, $400
10) Teodora Vega (MEX), 30:20, $300
15) Fasil Bizuneh (USA), 30:51
TEAM
1) Ethiopia, 19 points, $15,000
2) USA, 24, $27,500
3) Kenya, 37, $7000
4) Mexico, 39, $6000
5) Ecuador, 40, $4000
6) Team Colorado, 42
7) Peru, 51
8) British Commonwealth, 56
9) Morocco, 70
WOMEN
1) Mamito Daska (ETH), 32:48, $4250
2) Teyba Erkesso (ETH), 33:02, $3000
3) Yurika Nakamura (JPN), 33:29, $2250
4) Dulce Maria Rodriguez (MEX), 34:08, $1000
5) Millicent Gathoni (KEN), 34:11, $800
6) Ashu Kasim (ETH), 34:20, $700
7) Lidia Simon (ROM), 34:28, $600
8) Jane Gakunyi (KEN), 34:36, $500
9) Hiromi Ominami (JPN), 35:02, $400
10) Natalia Sokolova (RUS), 35:26, $300
14) Tera Moody (USA), 35:43
16) Carrie Messner (USA), 35:52
19) Alisha Williams (USA), 36:16
TEAM
1) Ethiopia, 9 points, $15,000
2) Japan, 24, $10,000
3) Kenya, 30, $7000
4) Mexico, 37, $6000
5) USA, 49, $8000
6) Russia, 53
7) Peru, 53
8) Romania, 59
9) Poland, 74
10) Team Colorado, 77
Deeper results at: www.BolderBOULDER.com
Korir, Petrova Win 24th Los Angeles Marathon
edit this articleBy: Ryan Lamppa, Running USA wire
Korir also earns $100,000 gender "Challenge" bonus and sets course and state records
LOS ANGELES - (May 25, 2009) - At the 24th Los Angeles Marathon on Monday, Kenyan Wesley Korir, in his second marathon, ran 2 hours, 8 minutes, 24 seconds to set personal, course and California state records. In addition, the University of Louisville graduate won the $100,000 gender "Challenge" as the first person across the finish line. Tatiana Petrova of Russia captured the women's title in 2:25:59. Their times are the second fastest marathons run in the U.S. this year.
Under overcast conditions and 60F degrees on Memorial Day, the professional women started 16 minutes and 57 seconds ahead of the field. The time differential for the 6th "Challenge" was determined by the composition of the professional field. The women's field who ran together in the early miles at 5:35-5:40 per mile pace hit the half-marathon in 1:14:21, while the men who also had 6-9 in the lead pack went out at a fast sub-2:07 clip and passed halfway at 1:03:34.
During mile 18, Petrova and Amane Gobena of Ethiopia separated themselves from the women's field, and for the men, by mile 19, Korir, race favorite Tariku Jifar of Ethiopia and Laban Kipkemboi of Kenya were giving chase to the top women.
In the 24th mile, Petrova, 26, pulled away from her shadow Gobena, but about a minute later, thanks to 4:40 mile pace, Korir, 26, passed Petrova at 1:58:16 on Olympic Boulevard to take the overall lead - a lead he increased to the finish line in downtown Los Angeles.
Afterwards, a surprised Korir who won $160,000 and a new Honda Accord said, "I wasn't expecting to win at all. It's a miracle. I came here to do my best, and I have to thank Laban [who finished third] for his encouragement around 21 miles. I owe this guy." Korir was the 12th fastest man in the field.
For Petrova, the 2007 World Championship steeplechase silver medalist, winning the women's race was "a dream come true" and she hopes that her performance will qualify her for the Russian marathon team for the World Championships in Berlin this August.
Jifar and Gobena were the runners-up in 2:09:32 and 2:26:53, respectively.
The LA Marathon "Challenge" is now tied 3-3, and no gender has won it two consecutive times.
This year's race numbers - 17,307 entrants - were down, perhaps due to the date change from March to Memorial Day. The event may return to the March date next year. This year, the race also returned to the old loop course that starts and finishes in downtown Los Angeles from the point-to-point course (2007-08).
24th Los Angeles Marathon
Los Angeles, CA, Monday, May 25, 2009
MEN
1) Wesley Korir (KEN), 2:08:24*, $160,000 + 2009 Honda Accord EX-L sedan
2) Tariku Jifar (ETH), 2:09:32, $32,500
3) Laban Kipkemboi (KEN), 2:10:29, $25,000
4) Mulugeta Wami (ETH), 2:10:49, $15,000
5) Negari Terfa (ETH), 2:10:53, $12,500
6) Benjamin Limo (KEN), 2:14:38
7) Fekadu Lemma (ETH), 2:15:12
8) Isaac Arusei (KEN), 2:17:54
9) Moses Kororia (KEN), 2:19:48
10) Diego Colorado (COL), 2:20:39
*course, event and California state records (previous, 2:08:40, Benson Cherono, 2006)
WOMEN
1) Tatiana Petrova (RUS), 2:25:59, $40,000 + 2009 Honda Accord EX-L sedan
2) Amane Gobena (ETH), 2:26:53, $27,500
3) Silvia Skvortsova (RUS), 2:28:35, $15,000
4) Lyubov Morganova (RUS), 2:29:42, $8000
5) Irene Mogoka (KEN), 2:30:10, $2500
6) Alice Chelangat (KEN), 2:31:56
7) Martha Markos (ETH), 2:33:30
8) Rehima Kedir (ETH), 2:36:55
9) Kim Dulcos (USA / MA), 2:44:32
More results at: www.LAmarathon.com
Merga, Erkesso Win MDS Nordion 10K
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Cheruiyot, Leghzaoui Ottawa Marathon champions; Merga bests 8K world record en route; event record 36,000 plus register
OTTAWA, Canada - (May 23-24, 2009) - Two world records were broken at the MDS Nordion 10K race Saturday night on a perfect spring evening.
Deriba Merga from Ethiopia bettered the 8K world record at 21 minutes, 48 seconds en route to winning the 10K race in 27:24. The current 8K world record was 22:02.
If Merga had finished the 10K race in under 27:01, the 2009 Boston Marathon champion would have taken home a $100,000 prize offered by the Ottawa Race Weekend. But he did break the course record of 28:12 held by Ottawa Race Weekend Race Director John Halvorsen since 1988.
The second world record broken was the single leg amputee time of 38:00, which was beaten by Rick Ball of Orillia, Ontario, in the time of 37:55.
"It is rare that one, let alone two world records are broken at a single race," said Jim Robinson, General Manager, Run Ottawa. "This solidifies our position as a world class running destination."
The first woman to cross the 10K finish line was Ethiopian Teyba Erkesso in a time of 31:51. The first Canadian woman to cross was Tara Quinn-Smith from Toronto at 33:39. She was the first of five Canadian women in the top 10 finishers. Her husband Andrew Smith was the first Canadian man to finish. He came in eleventh at 29:24.
On Sunday morning, with a time of 2:13:23, David Cheruiyot of Kenya won the Ottawa Marathon in his fourth come-from-behind victory. Continuing his trend of sprinting past successively younger athletes, the 39-year-old Cheruiyot beat out Wegayehu Girma of Ethiopia, 19 years his junior, by 6 seconds.
The first woman to cross the finish line was Asmae Leghzaoui of Morocco, who completed the course in 2:27:41, beating her own 2008 course record of 2:28:44. Lioudmila Kortchaguina of Thornhill, Ontario was runner-up in 2:32:10. Kortchaguina has won four of the five marathons she has run in Ottawa since her first appearance in 2002.
Debut marathoner Reid Coolsaet was the first Canadian man in 2:17:10. Coolsaet is Canada's top-ranked 5000 meter runner.
Kortchaguina and Coolsaet also won the Canadian Marathon titles.
The 35th Ottawa Race Weekend drew more than 36,000 participants in one of 7 races - an event record.
23rd MDS Nordion 10K
Ottawa, CAN, Saturday, May 23, 2009
MEN
1) Deriba Merga (ETH), 27:24*, $12,000
2) Boaz Cheboiywo (KEN), 28:17, $2500
3) Hosea Kibet Rutto (KEN), 28:21, $1500
4) Worku Beyi (ETH), 28:36, $1000
5) Silas Sang (KEN), 28:38, $750
6) Paul Langat (KEN), 28:45, $500
7) Patrick Makau (KEN), 28:53, $400
8) Julius Kiptoo (KEN), 28:54, $300
9) Samuel Ndereba (KEN), 29:14, $200
10) Abderrahime Bouramdane (MAR), 29:18, $100
*course record (previous, 28:12, John Halvorsen, 1988); en route 21:48 for 8K (pending world record)
WOMEN
1) Teyba Erkesso (ETH), 31:51, $5000
2) Emebet Bacha (ETH), 32:45, $2500
3) Jane Murage (KEN), 33:06, $1500
4) Hyvon Ngetich (KEN), 33:12, $1000
5) Jane Kibii (KEN), 33:34, $750
6) Tara Quinn-Smith (CAN), 33:39, $500
7) Kathy Tremblay (CAN), 34:53, $400
8) Lucy Smith (CAN), 35:12, $300
9) Lisa Harvey (CAN), 35:57, $200
10) Paula Wiltse (CAN), 37:24, $100
35th Ottawa Marathon
Ottawa, CAN, Sunday, May 24, 2009
MEN
1) David Cheruiyot (KEN), 2:13:23, $15,000
2) Wegayehu Girma (ETH), 2:13:29, $10,000
3) Ahmed Baday (MAR), 2:13:56, $5000
4) Laban Moiben (KEN), 2:14:17, $3000
5) Ketema Amensitsa Tadesee (ETH), 2:14:48, $2000
6) Abraham Kabeto (ETH), 2:16:23, $1000
7) Thomas Omwenga (KEN), 2:16:32, $750
8) Reid Coolsaet (CAN), 2:17:10, $6500
9) Fikadu Lemma (ETH), 2:18:31, $400
10) Josephat Ongari (KEN), 2:19:47, $300
WOMEN
1) Asmae Leghzaoui (MAR), 2:27:41*, $19,000
2) Lioudmila Kortchaguina (CAN), 2:32:10, $20,500
3) Irene Jerotich Kosgei (KEN), 2:34:28, $5500
4) Salomie Getnet (ETH), 2:37:22, $3000
5) Fiona Docherty (NZL), 2:42:11, $2000
6) Evaline Kimuria (KEN), 2:43:51, $1000
7) Katarina Janosikova (SVK), 2:44:50, $750
8) Caroline Chepkorir (KEN), 2:49:48, $500
9) Myriam Grenon (CAN), 2:51:09, $400
10) Caroline McIlroy (CAN), 2:54:00, $300
*course record (previous, 2:28:44, Asmae Leghzaoui, 2008)
More results at: www.runottawa.com
Hosting a National Running Day Event on Wednesday, June 3? Post it online at www.runningday.org
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Group runs, training events and kid runs highlight inaugural National Running Day
NEW YORK - (May 22, 2009) - In celebration of the inaugural National Running Day, running organizations and enthusiasts alike are planning local events on Wednesday, June 3, to encourage Americans of all ages and fitness levels to lace up their shoes, go for a run, and invite a friend to join them. Now is the time for everyone, everywhere to take the first step toward incorporating running as a part of a daily routine.
From a 16-hour run / walk challenge in Creswell, OR, that begins at 4:30am, to a 1,000-kid Mighty Milers Fun Run / Walk at Icahn Stadium in New York City, to a post-work Family Night event (complete with Texas BBQ) in San Antonio, the day will celebrate the benefits of running as part of a healthy and active lifestyle. Additionally, nearly 5,000 people have already committed to individually participating via the "Will You Run National Running Day?" on Facebook.
Users can post their events and search for events at www.runningday.org (click on Participate to create an event and view listings). If there isn't an event scheduled in a specific area, all runners are invited to create their own. No event is too big or too small to be recognized as a National Running Day initiative.
The foremost road racing and track and field organizations from major U.S. cities have also been planning National Running Day activities to promote running as a healthy, easy, and accessible form of exercise. Highlights include:
* Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue will issue Atlanta Track Club executive director Tracey Russell a proclamation declaring June 3 National Running Day in Georgia. Additionally, the ATC will host at least seven group runs of various distances throughout the day in metro Atlanta.
* The Chicago Area Runners Association will host a post-work event along Lake Michigan.
* Houston Mayor Bill White will officially proclaim June 3 Houston Running Day at a City Council meeting on June 2.
* In Indianapolis, Governor Mitch Daniels will present USA Track & Field CEO Doug Logan with a proclamation at an event at the Indiana University Purdue University-Indianapolis track with IUPUI's day campers and children from all over the city. Local Olympians Bob Kennedy and Joann Grissom will also participate in the event, which is free and open to the public.
* The Little Rock Marathon is hosting a free early-morning National Running Day Fun Run / Walk, followed by continental breakfast.
* Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty and Mayor RT Rybak of Minneapolis and Chris Coleman of St. Paul will sign state and city proclamations announcing June 3 as Minnesota Running Day in conjunction with National Running Day. A series of six evening group runs around the city will feature appearances from Team USA Minnesota runners.
* In New York City, Olympians Deena Kastor and Lornah Kiplagat will host the Mighty Milers Fun Run / Walk, an event at Icahn Stadium with approximately 1,000 kids from Manhattan and the Bronx. Additionally, New York Road Runners will host group runs in all five boroughs and runners stations in Central Park in Manhattan and Prospect Park in Brooklyn. Kastor and Kiplagat will lead the Central Park group run on Wednesday evening.
* In Eugene, OR - otherwise known as "Track Town USA" - Oregon Track Club will hold an evening National Running Day community run. Local Olympians will join in the event, which is free and open to the public.
* The Marine Corps Marathon will host a one-mile run on the National Mall, starting and finishing at the Lincoln Memorial. Runners will include local elected officials like Washington D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty, area running club presidents and running store representatives, Marines, local journalists and other race directors.
About National Running Day
National Running Day is an initiative whereby many of the major organizations within the United States running industry including Running USA are joining forces in an unprecedented, unified effort to nationally and locally promote running as a healthy, easy, and accessible form of exercise. The inaugural National Running Day will be on Wednesday, June 3. From New York to San Diego, the day will celebrate the benefits of running as part of a healthy and active lifestyle aimed at combating some of today's most pressing health issues. For more information, visit: www.runningday.org