Running USA wire 61, July 29, 2009

Sold-out field, $60,000 prize purse for 12th edition of premier 10K along the picturesque Maine coast

CAPE ELIZABETH, Maine - (July 27, 2009) - The top road racers in Maine, New England and around the globe are set to gather again in Cape Elizabeth for the 12th running of the TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon 10K on Saturday.

The professional athletes will share the picturesque coastal course with thousands of recreational runners who are cheered on by an enthusiastic throng of spectators. The atmosphere created confirms the reputation of the TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon as a world class event with an appealing small-town charm.

This year's field of 6,000 includes runners from 16 countries and 43 U.S. states.

More than $60,000 in prize money is at stake, including a $10,000 prize to the top man and woman. Also, a $2500 bonus is available for an Open course record and $500 for a course record in the Maine category, providing added incentive in a race that consistently ranks among the fastest and most competitive 10Ks in the world.

Returning Champ Set to Defend in Talented Men's Race; Women's Race Wide Open
The men's field includes the returning champ, the third-fastest marathoner ever and one of the hotter road racers on the road circuit, plus the last-minute entry by a three-time Beach to Beacon champ. And even then, there are at least three other entrants who are legitimate threats.

"The top seven or eight men are as good a group as we've ever assembled for this race, and that's saying a lot when you look at the history of this event," said Larry Barthlow, the elite athlete coordinator.

Defending champ Ed Muge (left, PhotoRun), who sprinted to victory in 2008 in 27 minutes, 52 seconds, has been training in altitude in Kenya and will arrive in Maine with fresh legs. Still, he'll have his work cut out of him.

James Kwambai of Kenya ran the third fastest marathon in history 2:04:20 in Rotterdam earlier this year in a thrilling duel with Duncan Kibet, the 2007 Beach to Beacon champ. Youngster Gashu Ibrahinm Jeilan of Ethiopia, a 2008 World Junior Champ at 10,000m with a personal best 27:02 on the track, finished third at the Peachtree 10K earlier this month. Kenyan Gilbert Okari knows the course well after winning the Beach to Beacon three straight years 2003-05.

Other favorites include Felix Limo of Kenya, the 2005 Chicago Marathon champ who remains among the best in the world; Boaz Cheboiywo of Kenya, with a personal best 27:46 who is intent on improving on a fifth-place finish last year, and Ridouane Harroufi of Morocco, who won the Utica Boilermaker 15K two weeks ago and also finished second at Peachtree. Ethiopia's Dejene Berhanu, who finished fifth at 5000m at the 2004 Olympics, also will be in the mix.

"This field is deep and talented with a lot of fresh legs, and what's interesting is we've got these strong marathoners together with some real blazers at the shorter distances," Barthlow said. "It's shaping up to be a real interesting race."

On the woman's side, the complexion of the race changed with news that defending champ Edith Masai withdrew due to visa issues. That leaves 21-year-old Kenyan Lineth Chepkurui as the race favorite, with a running legend and an Olympian on her heels.

Chepkurui is perhaps the hottest runner on the circuit right now, with five major wins so far this year, including the recent Peachtree 10K, where she clocked 31:31 the fifth faster 10K in the world in 2009.

Another favorite is running legend Berhane Adere of Ethiopia, a former 10,000m world champion whose 30:04 in 2003 set an African record and remains the sixth-fastest time ever recorded. She also has won the Chicago Marathon twice and the prestigious Dubai Marathon.

Mariya Konovalova of Russia finished fifth at 10,000m (30:35) at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and recently finished second at the Russian Championships with a 30:31. Volha Krautsova of Belarus in another contender who competed at 5000m in the 2008 Olympics. Kenyan Irina Limika, who was picked to represent Kenya in the marathon at the 2007 World Championships, also could contend.

"The women's race is wide open," Barthlow said. "It's unfortunate that Edith ran into trouble getting here, but we've got some really strong runners, including a real legend in Berhane, who are going to put on a good, competitive show."

Maine Road Race Champions to be Crowned (Unofficial)
The TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon is considered the jewel for Maine's top road racers and the winner each year wears the unofficial crown as the Maine Road Racing Champion.

This years race is expected to have a strong favorite among the men defending champ Ben True, 23, of North Yarmouth and a two-woman duel featuring Sheri Piers, 38, of Falmouth and 2008 champ Kristin Barry, 35, of Scarborough, each with course records on their minds.

Other contenders on the men's side include the four runners who finished behind True in 2008 - Judson Cake, 31, of Bar Harbor (31:48); Jon Wilson, 21, of Falmouth (31:51); 2004 champ Ethan Hemphill, 37 (31:56) and 2006 champ Donny Drake, 24, of Portland (31:59). Twins Curtis and Nicholas Wheeler of Buxton, 23, also are running strongly right now and could be in the hunt.

On the women's side, Piers will be gunning for the crown and lowering the course record after finishing second in 2008 (34:47) to training partner Barry, who set a new course record (34:37). With Barry back running strongly, their fierce but friendly competition is expected to continue. Susannah Beck, 41, of Brunswick, the 2004 champ, also could be in the mix.

The race beneficiary this year is Maine Handicapped Skiing, a non-profit organization that promotes year-round education and training for Maine children with physical disabilities. Based in Newry, Maine, the organization provides more than 3,700 lessons free of charge in winter and summer with the help of more than 390 volunteers making it the states largest year-round adaptive recreation program for children and adults with physical disabilities. For more information, visit: www.skimhs.org

TD Banknorth, through the TD Charitable Foundation, will provide a cash donation of $30,000, plus the organization will benefit from fundraising activities and publicity.

For additional info, visit www.Beach2Beacon.org or call the race hotline at (888) 480-6940.

Cool temperatures make for fast times; past Mountain Running Team members earn spots on this year's World Team

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - (July 26, 2009) - Late afternoon thunderstorms are typical in Colorado Springs, but overcast skies and drizzle in the morning are rare - especially in July. Sunday morning was an exception with intermittent rain showers and cool temperatures greeting runners at 7:00am for the women's start of the inaugural Cheyenne Cañon Mountain Race, an 8 kilometer up & down loop course which would determine two of the four members of this year's Teva U.S. Mountain Running Team. It was still cool for the men's race at 8:30am for the 12 kilometer course with another two team spots up for grabs.

The course, designed by eight-time Mountain Team member Paul Low, started at the Stratton Open Space Trailhead in North Cheyenne Cañon, connected with the Gold Camp Path, joined the Chutes and followed the east side of the reservoir back up Gold Camp Path for the first loop (women and Junior men ran two loops, while open men ran three loops for approximately 12K), then back down to the finish.

"A few weeks before the race some of the women contending for a spot on the team figured the winning time would be about 41 minutes (for the women). Today, when the first woman was climbing the final lollipop loop toward the finish she was set to go under 40 minutes. The cool temperatures not only helped set a fast pace, but the moisture helped pack down the dirt and scree to make for a quicker running surface," said Nancy Hobbs, Executive Director of the American Trail Running Association.

Laura Haefeli, 41, Del Norte, CO, led the group on a blistering pace from the start around the first lollipop loop. But at the top of the first climb it was flatlander Kasie Enman, 29, Huntington, VT, ahead of a group of Coloradoans to the high point of the course at just under 7,000 feet. The group in the chase were included eventual winner Megan Kimmel, Haefeli, Megan Lund, Brandy Erholtz and Gina Lucrezi. Enman excelled on the downhill and picked up some distance on the group, yet was caught by Kimmel and Lund on the second loop.

Kimmel took the opportunity to surge ahead and bested Lund by just five seconds to take the victory in 39 minutes, 23 seconds. On the final lollipop loop, Haefeli charged past Enman to finish in third position in 39:52 with Enman clocking 40:02. Rounding out the top five was Erholtz in 40:19.

Kimmel's win earned her a spot on her second consecutive Teva U.S. Mountain Running Team and will compete along with first-time team member Lund in Campodolcino, Italy, on Sunday, September 6 at the World Mountain Running Championships. The pair will join Christine Lundy, 38, Sausalito, CA, who won the USA Mountain Running Championships on June 28 in North Conway, NH, to make her fourth mountain team. The final member of the squad will be selected from the top finishers in today's event.

On the men's side, local runner Ryan Hafer set a strong pace on the first kilometer while Tim Parr, 27, Gunnison, CO, sat comfortably in the chase pack and worked his way up to the lead with University of Richmond's Andrew Benford, 21, Ravenswood, WV, going with him.

"I felt great on the uphills," said Benford, "Then Tim would pull away on the downhills. He was more aggressive on the downhills, especially on the last lap. I knew I was on the team when we topped out the last climb. Dan Petty (UR teammate) was there, along with my brother, telling me exactly where everyone was. The last downhill was sweet. I knew I was running my way onto the U.S. team. It's a great feeling."

Parr crossed the line in 47:13 to make his third U.S team ('04, '05, '09) while Benford made his second U.S Team. Benford's performance places him in the history books as the first U.S. runner to make a Junior team (2006) and a Senior team (2009). Albuquerque's Kristopher Houghton, 28, finished third in 48:21 with local runner Alex Nichols, 24, in fourth (48:51), and 2007 mountain team member Payton Batliner, 25, Boulder, in fifth (49:09).

Parr and Benford will join the top three runners from the USA Mountain Running Championships Joseph Gray, 25, Lakewood, WA; Zac Freudenberg, 31, St. Louis, MO and Matt Byrne, 34, Scranton, PA, on the mountain team. The final member of the six-member squad will be announced on August 1.

There were 36 women finishers ranging in age from 18-64 and 46 men finishers ages 12 through 62. Every participant received a commemorative USA Mountain Running cowbell, a Teva music CD, post race refreshments, accurate results and for those 21 and older - a beer certificate from Bristol Brewing.

Inaugural Cheyenne Cañon Mountain Race
Colorado Springs, CO, Sunday, July 26, 2009

MEN - 12K
1) Tim Parr (CO), 47:13, $250
2) Andrew Benford (WV), 47:48, NCAA
3) Kristopher Houghton (NM), 48:21, $150
4) Alex Nichols (CO), 48:51, $100
5) Payton Batliner (CO), 49:09, $50

WOMEN - 8K
1) Megan Kimmel (CO), 39:23, $250
2) Megan Lund (CO), 39:28, $200
3) Laura Haefeli, 41, CO, 39:52, $150
4) Kasie Enman (VT), 40:02, $100
5) Brandy Erholtz (CO), 40:19, $50

Junior Men: Paul Petersen, 17, Broomfield, CO, 39:57
Junior Women: Jessie Watkins, 19, Colorado Springs, 49:34

For additional information, visit: www.trailrunner.com

Look for the MCM Booth at upcoming event expos to secure a spot for next year

QUANTICO, Va. - A limited number of guaranteed entries to the 2010 Marine Corps Marathon (MCM) will be available to runners and guests at running events across the country and around the world in preparation for the 35th anniversary race.

Would-be marathoners should visit the MCM booth at the designated events to receive an entry code, redeemable online at www.MarineMarathon.com. A limited number of entry codes are available at each event and are expected to go quickly.

"We're kicking off the celebration for our 35th anniversary by offering runners a unique chance to get into the MCM long before it opens to the general public," said Rick Nealis, Director. "This is the MCM's way of thanking runners for their dedication not only to the Marine Corps Marathon but to the sport of running."

The 2010 MCM will be held on Sunday, October 31 in Arlington, Virginia and the nation's capital. Online registration will be available to the general public in Spring 2010. The marathon is open to runners ages 14 and older on a first come, first served basis. The race field is limited and historically fills in just a few days.

MCM weekend includes the Health and Fitness Expo, MCM10K, Healthy Kids Fun Run and more.

The MCM Expo Access Tour will be providing entries to the 2010 MCM at the following events:

EVENT / LOCATION / EXPO DATES
real,- Berlin Marathon, Berlin, Germany, September 17-19, 2009
Army Ten Miler, Washington, DC, October 9-10, 2009
Bank of America Chicago Marathon, Chicago, IL, October 9-10, 2009
Honolulu Marathon, Honolulu, HI, December 9-12, 2009
Disney World Marathon, Orlando, FL, January 7-9, 2010
ING Miami Marathon, Miami, FL, January 29-30, 2010
Myrtle Beach Marathon, Myrtle Beach, SC, February 12-13, 2010
Little Rock Marathon, Little Rock, AR, March 5-6, 2010
ING Georgia Marathon, Atlanta, GA, March 19-20, 2010

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."

More race information is available at: www.MarineMarathon.com

For the first time in its history, AIMS, the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races, is conferring a so far one-of-kind honorary prize with the title: "Marathon of the Decade" - and the recipient is the real,- Berlin Marathon.

AIMS is thus giving recognition to the important achievements of the Berlin Marathon with is unparalleled series of world records over the past decade. Six world records from 1998 to 2008 document the high quality of the Berlin event - a performance never before achieved by any other marathon event.

September 20, 1998 - Ronaldo da Costa (BRA), 2:06:05
September 26, 1999 - Tegla Loroupe (KEN), 2:20:43
September 30, 2001 - Naoko Takahashi (JPN), 2:19:46
September 28, 2003 - Paul Tergat (KEN), 2:04:55
September 29, 2007 - Haile Gebrselassie (ETH), 2:04:26
September 28, 2008 - Haile Gebrselassie (ETH), 2:03:59

AIMS not only took the quality of the top performances into consideration for this decision, but also the incredibly high number of runners (from over 100 countries) who compete. With more than 35,000 finishers last year, the Berlin Marathon ranks second in the world in participation.

The awards ceremony took place on Tuesday, July 7, in the Berlin City Hall in the office of the governing mayor of Berlin, Klaus Wowereit.

Francisco Borao / Valencia, vice-president of AIMS, who attended in lieu of the Japanese president Hiroaki Chosa, delivered the prize to the governing mayor together with the General Secretary of AIMS, Hugh Jones / London. The prize symbolically recognizes the fact that the Berlin Marathon serves as an important international figurehead and ambassador for the city of Berlin throughout the world. Rüdiger Otto, as the managing director, and Mark Milde, race director, who is also responsible for signing the top athletes for the Berlin Marathon, received the prize from the mayor.

The Berlin Marathon began in 1974 under the direction of Horst Milde (Race Director until 2004) with 286 runners in the Grunewald Forest; in 1981, the race "moved" to the city with the start at the Reichstag; starting in 1990 after the fall of the Berlin Wall - with a then record number of 25,000 runners (the limit at the time) - and the live television broadcasting in Japan, the marathon joined the ranks of the top events.

The fast and flat course in Berlin and the enthusiasm of the spectators, together with the perfect organization are the most important factors in fostering Berlin's reputation as a city for runners.

"For AIMS, the Berlin Marathon is an excellent event, which we are proud of, which has written international sport history through its success, and which provides an excellent example of how through good cooperation with the institutions in a city, sport can positively affect the lives of its citizens," stated the president of AIMS, Hiroaki Chosa, in his congratulatory greetings to the mayor and to the Berlin Marathon.

For further information, contact AIMS Board Member Horst Milde at: horst-milde@t-online.de