Running USA wire 52, June 27, 2009
Yoder Begley, Rupp Take USA 10,000m Titles
edit this articleBy: Parker Morse, Running USA wire
EUGENE, Ore. - (June 25, 2009) - Amy Yoder Begley and Galen Rupp, both 2008 U.S. Olympians at 10,000 meters, won their respective national titles for 2009 at the distance on Thursday evening at the University of Oregon's famed Hayward Field.
Yoder Begley in an upset
Yoder Begley, who won an NCAA 10,000m title on the Hayward track in 2001, was a fan favorite at last year's Olympic Trials for her tenacious pursuit of the Olympic "A" qualifying standard, even though she finished third behind eventual Beijing bronze medalist Shalane Flanagan and her training partner Kara Goucher.
This year, Yoder Begley was not just running for time. She and Flanagan agreed to share the early pace, trading 800s "at least through 5K," she explained, "and maybe through four miles." The tactic worked, as the pair dropped all other contenders by four miles in to the race, with Katie McGregor the last to lose contact. The two hit halfway in 15:51 and at 8000m, with over eleven seconds lead on McGregor, in 25:16, a whisker over 5:03 pace for five miles.
Yoder Begley led most of the last mile, taking the bell at 30:15, and Flanagan asserted herself on the backstretch, bidding for the win with 200 meters remaining, but Yoder Begley wasn't giving up easily, responding instantly to the move and regaining the lead on the last turn. From there on it was all Yoder Begley as the Arkansas grad turned in a Hayward Field record of 31:22.69 for her first senior national title on the track; Flanagan was runner-up in 31:23.43, with McGregor third (32:08.04).
"I've been learning to sprint this year," said Yoder Begley. "It was Kara [Goucher]'s turn last year. This year was my turn."
"My husband gave me a new mantra this year," she added. "Just do it, don't think. He said last year I hesitated when [Flanagan and Goucher] broke away. There was no hesitation this year."
With Goucher, who won a bronze medal in Osaka in this event, stepping up to the marathon for Berlin, Flanagan would love to see a World Championships medal to match her Beijing medal. "I have a lot of work in front of me over the next month, sharpening up," she said.
Fourth place went to Beijing Olympic marathoner Magdalena Lewy Boulet in 32:20.45, and Molly Huddle was fifth (32:43.11).
Rupp's romp
Olympians and marathoners played a different role in the men's race. Perennial Olympian Abdi Abdirahman did the early work with 2004 silver medal marathoner Meb Keflezighi visible in the front as well. But it was 2008 Olympic marathoner Dathan Ritzenhein, a relatively new Eugene resident, who took over for the second half, trading laps with James Carney and using carefully-timed surges to split challengers off the pack whenever he saw an opportunity. "I was watching the big screen with every lap," said Ritz, "looking for the little gaps and trying to open them up."
Rupp himself may have been running his last race in an Oregon singlet, after winning five individual NCAA titles across three seasons for the Ducks. "This place has been really special for me," said Rupp. "It helps a lot to have that roar, and I'm sure it rattles the other guys."
Finally between 7000m and 8000m, it was just Ritzenhein, Rupp and Tim Nelson, and around 8K it was just Ritz and Rupp. Ritzenhein looked strong and under control, but it was Rupp who had speed to spare. With 500 meters remaining, Rupp turned that speed on, and almost immediately opened up a 20 meter gap on Ritzenhein. By the time he had come back around to the final homestretch, Rupp was waving to the crowd and grinning.
His final time for his first senior title was 27:52.53; Ritz came in at 27:58.59, and Nelson, the team's third Oregon resident, in 28:01.34.
"It's been an incredible year, not just for me but for the Ducks," said Rupp. "I'm glad I could close it out with a win."
USA 10,000m Championship - Thursday, June 25, 2009
MEN
1) Galen Rupp (OR), 27:52.53
2) Dathan Ritzenhein (OR), 27:58.59
3) Tim Nelson (OR), 28:01.34
4) James Carney (CO), 28:13.37
5) Ed Moran (VA), 28:34.54
6) Meb Keflezighi (CA), 28:35.49
7) Patrick Smyth (IN), 28:35.70
8) Abdi Abdirahman (AZ), 28:35.79
9) Jorge Torres (CO), 28:42.13
10) Forest Braden (WA), 28:43.98
WOMEN
1) Amy Yoder Begley (OR), 31:22.69
2) Shalane Flanagan (OR), 31:23.43
3) Katie McGregor (MN), 32:08.04
4) Magdalena Lewy Boulet (CA), 32:20.45
5) Molly Huddle (RI), 32:43.11
6) Amy Hastings (CA), 32:56.20
7) Serena Burla (MO), 32:56.40
8) Melissa Cook (TX), 33:02.90
9) Sally Meyerhoff (AZ), 33:03.19
10) Allison Grace (NC), 33:12.34
Complete results and more at: www.usatf.org/events/2009/USAOutdoorTFChampionships
Goucher, Tegenkamp Defend USA 5000m Crowns
edit this articleBy: Parker Morse, Running USA wire
EUGENE, Ore. - (June 26, 2009) - Kara Goucher successfully defended her 5000 meter national title from 2008 Friday evening, running 15:20.94 as part of her preparation for the World Championships marathon in August. Matt Tegenkamp, just a hundredth of a second away from a medal in the men's 5000m in 2007, will have another chance in 2009, as he also defended.
Goucher sharpens up
After a promising marathon season where she finished third in both the ING New York City Marathon last November and the B.A.A. Boston Marathon this April, Goucher entered the 5000m here hoping to both defend the national title she won in 2008 and sharpen her closing speed for her next marathon, at the World Championships in August in Berlin. Much like her training partners Amy Yoder Begley and Galen Rupp in Thursday evening's 10,000m finals, Goucher ran most of the race off the lead while Rebecca Donaghue led the pack through a 3:06.7 first kilometer and to 2K in 6:14.9.
Donaghue found no other takers as the pace lagged in the middle kilometers, and it was only when three-time Olympian Jen Rhines took over with three laps to go that the pack began to string out. Goucher was well back in the tightly-bunched pack at the time, but she covered Rhines' move immediately, and Rhines covered nearly two laps with Goucher close on her shoulder. Goucher burst to the front with 500 meters remaining, and that move proved to be the decisive one as she finished in 15:20.94 to Rhines' 15:26.92.
"I took a lot of inspiration" from Yoder Begley and Rupp's races, explained Goucher. "I told myself, Alberto coached them, he's coaching me. This has been a really challenging season for me. I wasn't beat up from Boston, it was the three months of training before Boston. I was trying to jump in to speed workouts with Amy [Begley], and she's in the best shape of her life."
"If I hadn't done these track races, I would not have realized how much I have to do before Berlin," she continued. "Also, to do these races, I had to sprint. I was afraid of the kick in Boston, and it cost me. I needed to be in races like these to prove to myself that I can finish quickly."
"We thought it would be tactical, so I stayed tucked in," said Rhines. "I knew when I went that it wasn't enough to drop Kara, but I was hoping I'd be able to run away from her. Pretty much every race I've run this year has been bad, but after Prefontaine we went to a week of therapy, and today I felt like myself again. I'm so relieved, and I'm going to be ready to run well in Berlin."
Behind the leaders, NCAA champion Angela Bizzarri of the University of Illinois ran down first Donaghue, then Julie Culley to take third in 15:33.02, leaving the team selection situation for Berlin in temporary disarray. Goucher will not run the 5000, and while Rhines has an "A" standard (sub-15:10.00), Bizzarri lacks even a "B" (sub-15:25.00). The only other "A" qualifier in the final was Sara Slattery, who finished 11th. Should she choose to, Bizzarri might chase the "B" standard and join the team with Rhines and Slattery; otherwise Culley or Donaghue may race themselves on to the team. The qualifying window will remain open for nearly a month.
OTC sweeps the men's team
The men's 5000 benefited from the determined presence of Anthony Famiglietti, last year's steeplechase national champion, who with Bolota Asmerom led a large pack through the early going. "Fam" was shadowed by the former Wisconsin teammates Matt Tegenkamp and Chris Solinsky (4th place finisher at last year's Olympic Trials). When Asmerom stepped up to take the pace from the flagging Famiglietti, both Tegenkamp and Solinsky moved to cover.
Clinging to those four was Tegenkamp and Solinsky's Oregon Track Club teammate Evan Jager, who forfeited his NCAA eligibility to follow coach Jerry Schumacher to Portland. Jager, benefiting from confidence born of training with Solinsky and Tegenkamp day after day, followed his older teammates around Asmerom when they began their final charge for home.
It was Tegenkamp who had the closing speed to win, pipping Solinsky 13:20.57 to 13:20.82. Jager followed them in at 13:22.18, with Asmerom fourth in 13:24.00.
"We were completely relaxed tonight, and ready to run faster," said Tegenkamp. "In a championship race you have to respond to whatever happens, and be in the top three."
The selection situation in the men's 5000m is confusing as well, although simpler than in the women's race. Solinsky and Famiglietti both have "A" standards, while Tegenkamp and Jager have "B" standards. Tegenkamp, Jager and Asmerom will be permitted to chase standards over the next month; if Tegenkamp improves to an "A", as seems likely, the top three finishers will be the team, but if none of the three improve, the team would be Solinsky, Famiglietti and Tegenkamp. Asmerom could claim a spot at Jager's expense if he runs an "A" and neither Tegenkamp nor Jager improve.
"By the middle of July it will be a lock," said Tegenkamp, "because I'll have the standard."
In fifth place, German Fernandez, 19, ran 13:25.46 to set a U.S. Junior record.
USA 5000m Championship - Friday, June 26, 2009
MEN
1) Matt Tegenkamp (OR), 13:20.57
2) Chris Solinsky (OR), 13:20.82
3) Evan Jager (OR), 13:22.18
4) Bolota Asmerom (CA), 13:24.00
5) German Fernandez (OK), 13:25.46*
6) Jonathon Riley (OR), 13:26.90
7) Sean Quigley (PA), 13:31.98
8) Anthony Famiglietti (TN), 13:33.63
9) Brent Vaughn (OR), 13:38.30
10) Scott Bauhs (CA), 13:39.06
*U.S. Junior record (previous, 13:29.98, Chris Derrick, May 2, 2009)
WOMEN
1) Kara Goucher (OR), 15:20.94
2) Jen Rhines (CA), 15:26.92
3) Angela Bizzarri (IL), 15:33.02
4) Julie Culley (VA), 15:33.92
5) Rebecca Donaghue (PA), 15:36.09
6) Racheal Marchand (IA), 15:37.08
7) Nicole Blood (OR), 15:38.61
8) Allison Grace (NC), 15:47.31
9) Renee Metivier Baille (AZ), 15:47.70
10) Amy Hastings (CA), 15:52.37
Complete results at: www.usatf.org/events/2009/USAOutdoorTFChampionships
Seattle Shines Hosting Inaugural Rock 'n' Roll Marathon
edit this articleBy: Dan Cruz
Perfect weather, challenging course produces great competition; sold-out field of 25,000
SEATTLE - (June 27, 2009) - On a day that dawned with clear blue skies, the inaugural Rock 'n' Roll Seattle Marathon & ½ Marathon lived up to the hype, kicking off the Seafair season and solidifying its place as a signature summer event in the Pacific Northwest. On Saturday, runners from all 50 states and 14 countries participated in the race, which highlighted some of the area's most scenic locations, including Lake Washington, awe-inspiring Mt. Rainier and Seattle's downtown skyline.
Highlights included, Kenya's Elija Nyabuti setting a pending Washington state record for the half-marathon with a time of 1 hour, 5 minutes, 17 seconds and American Michelle Suszek winning the women's marathon in 2:38:37, a full four minutes faster than her previous best.
"I wanted to run my own race today and wanted to break the 2:40 mark," said Suszek, who entered the race just a week ago and recently started working with new coach Lyle Knudson after a disappointing finish in April's Country Music Marathon.
"I was devastated and in shock with my performance in Nashville," added Suszek. "But now coming back with this, I've only trained with my new coach for two months and I'm seeing myself with more top finishes in the future."
The top five finishers in the women's marathon were Americans. Two-time Chicago Marathon champion Berhane Adere of Ethiopia won the women's half-marathon in 1:11:19.
In the men's marathon, Kenyan Peter Omae won in 2:18:17. American Peter Gilmore finished second (2:18:52). Both men pushed the pace after a 10K split of 31:37, breaking away from the lead pack at mile 10. The duo ran shoulder-to-shoulder for the next 10 miles, before Omae pulled away with the lead and the win.
"The first opponent every marathoner has is the distance and the course itself," said Toni Reavis, who commentated during the event's live webcast on Competitor.com. "Because of the challenging nature of the Seattle course the runners had to make sure they handled the distance before trying to outrun their competition."
The unparalleled Seattle landscape made the 4th of 9 Rock 'n' Roll events in this year's series truly one-of-a-kind. The event successfully sold out its 25,000 slots a full two months before its June 27 running. The total number of finishers to cross the line in the parking lot of Quest Field was well over 20,000.
Participants of the race enjoyed a wide variety of entertainment along the tree-lined course, with bands selected by One Reel, a local music and entertainment service. The course, despite its hills and dips, proved to be the perfect combination in helping bring runners across the finish line in record numbers.
"This event is one we knew would really wow the participants," said Megan Young, event manager of the Seattle race. "Whether they ran, walked or jogged, every person along the course could be sure of seeing Seattle's best views and hearing the city's best musical talent along the brand-new course."
The 2nd Rock 'n' Roll Seattle is set for June 26, 2010.
Inaugural Rock 'n' Roll Seattle Marathon
Seattle, WA, Saturday, June 27, 2009
MEN
1) Peter Omae, Kenya, 2:18:17
2) Peter Gilmore, USA, 2:18:52
3) David Kiprop Yego, Kenya, 2:19:23
WOMEN
1) Michele Suszek, USA, 2:38:37
2) Leah Thorvilson, USA, 2:38:49
3) Christine Glockenmeie, USA, 2:56:02
Half-Marathon
MEN
1) Elija Nyabuti, Kenya, 1:05:17*
2) Pat Rizzo, USA, 1:05:34
3) Rik Ceulemans, Belgium, 1:06:01
*pending Washington state record (previous, 1:05:37, Dave Mora (USA), 1994)
WOMEN
1) Berhane Adere, Ethiopia, 1:11:19
2) Nuta Olaru, Romania, 1:11:43
3) Isley Gonzalez, USA, 1:20:14
Deeper results at: www.RnRseattle.com
Lagat, Jemutai Win Hyde Park Blast
edit this articleBy: Cheryl Besl
Strands, Run Ohio take Old Spice Team Challenge
CINCINNATI - (June 27, 2009) - Almost 5,000 participants came together in the fight against cancer as they took part in the 8th Hyde Park Blast on Saturday morning. The event included Ohio's 4 Mile RRCA Championship and a challenging course that has been recognized as one of the area's best and most scenic events.
More than 40 elite runners, the deepest field in the history of the Blast, competed in the men's field, including Wesley Korir, the 2009 LA Marathon winner. At mile 3, hit in 14:15, the top four finishers were competing for the title. Haron Lagat and Jacob Korir broke away from the pack on Handashyde Hill and were step-for-step in the lead. About 400 meters from the finish, Jacob Korir took the lead but Lagat overtook him with 100 meters remaining and edged Korir for a one second win with a nice high 5 to the finish banner.
"The Blast is a great race with a good, tough course," said Lagat, who ran 18 minutes, 49 seconds. "I love all the fans at the finish and the organizers do a great job making sure the competition is good. Cincinnati is a great town."
The women's race, with seventeen in the field, was tight over the challenging course. Hellen Jemutai, from Kenya, finished first in 22:35, while Becky Michael and Nicole Fisher, both from Ohio, finished second (22:55) and third (23:02) respectively.
Leigh Daniel, from Ashland, Ohio, came in fourth at 23:31. "The Blast is always on our schedule," said Daniel, who is a finalist with fiancé, Nick Cordes, in the NBC Today Show "Throws a Wedding" contest. "The atmosphere at the Hyde Park Blast is great and there's good competition." This is Daniel's fourth year at the Blast.
The Blast awarded overall elite prizes and a new travel award from Superclubs. This was the second year the Blast featured an elite team challenge presented by Old Spice to encourage more participation from regional and national teams.
"The Old Spice Team and Elite Challenge was over the top this year with our largest and quickest filed ever. The elite race wouldn't have been possible without them and we thank them for all their support," says Chad Sims, event co-founder. "The Superclubs trips also provided a nice bonus for the top U.S. finishers. The trips will provide some nice downtime for the winners and we thank them for the nice prizes we're able to offer our athletes."
8th Hyde Park Blast 4 Mile
Cincinnati, OH, Saturday, June 27, 2009
MEN
1) Haron Lagat (KEN), 18:49, $1000
2) Jacob Korir (KEN), 18:50, $750
3) Julius Kiptoo (KEN), 19:06, $500
4) Mohamed Trafeh, (MAR) 19:14, $200
5) Jeffrey Powers, (USA / IN), 19:19, $100 plus 1st U.S. ($2500) & 5 night stay for two in Jamaica from Superclubs & 1-year gym membership at Urban Active
TEAMS - Men
1) Strands: Julius Kiptoo (19:06), Josh Glaab (19:45), Ryan Woods (19:57), 58:48, $1500
2) Lex Go Run.com: Jacob Korir (18:50), John Thompson (20:27), Thadler Schroeder (21:12), 1:00:29, $1000
3) Run Ohio: Matt Folk (19:21), John Ealy (19:52), Nick Cordes (21:24), 1:00:37, $500
WOMEN
1) Hellen Jemutai, (KEN), 22:35, $1000
2) Becki Michael (USA / OH), 22:55, $750 plus $2500 & 5 night stay for two in Jamaica
3) Nicole Fisher (USA /IN), 23:02, $500, 6-month gym membership at Urban Active
4) Leigh Daniel (USA / OH), 23:31, $200, 3-month gym membership at Urban Active
5) Denisa Costescu (ROU / MI), 23:38, $100
TEAM - Women
1) Run Ohio: Becki Michael (22:55), Nicole Fisher (23:02), Leigh Daniel (23:31), Debbie Arzola (24:15), 1:09:28, $1500
2) Cincy Track Club: Hellen Jemutai (22:35), Denisa Costescu (23:38), Christina Johnston (25:25), 1:11:38, $1000
3) Fleet Feet Louisville: Lucie Sulewski (23:48), Katie Hickey (24:33), Erin Swalley (26:20), 1:14:41, $500
Complete results at: www.HPblast.com