Running USA wire 87, October 22, 2009

Winner to be presented at Running USA 2010: The Industry Conference powered by Active.com on February 1

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - (October 22, 2009) - Running USA, the national industry non-profit organization, has announced its inaugural Training Group Development Award that will be presented at Running USA 2010: The Industry Conference during the Hall of Champions Dinner and Live Auction on Monday, February 1 at the La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad, California.

"Since our inception in March 1999, part of Running USA's mission has included athlete development. From the Team USA Distance Running program to the highly successful Team Running USA, this organization has supported and promoted U.S. distance athletes and coaches, and with this inaugural and annual award, we will continue our efforts to help develop American distance talent," said Susan Weeks, Running USA CEO.

Established U.S. distance training groups are invited to apply for 2010 funding, and at its annual conference, Running USA will award $25,000 from its live and silent auction proceeds to one training group who will be represented and feted at the Hall of Champions dinner.

Applications for the inaugural Training Group Development Award are available now, and the deadline for submission is Friday, November 20, 2009. For an application or more information, contact coordinator Bill Roe at: bill.roe@runningusa.org

About Running USA
Running USA advances, serves, promotes and celebrates the sport of running as a clearinghouse and resource center and though its popular annual conference, Running USA wire, Running USA E-News, website, annual marathon and State of the Sport reports and youth fitness portal RunningRocks.com and by supporting athlete development.

Running USA's more than 250 members include road races, race services companies, running-related media companies and organizations and the athletic industry.

In March 2009, the non-profit industry organization marked a decade of achievement to build and promote the sport. For more information, visit: RunningUSA.org or contact Ryan Lamppa at (805) 696-6232 or ryan@runningusa.org

Largest 10K field in St. Louis for 2009 celebrates the season

ST. LOUIS - (October 18, 2009) - The first running of the GO! St. Louis Halloween 10K in downtown St. Louis on Sunday, October 18 was the largest 10K field in St. Louis in 2009 and one of the largest in Missouri. The day featured many of the region's elite runners, mixed with participants of all ages and fitness levels, many who wore creative Halloween costumes to celebrate the season.

Former Oregon Track Club member and U.S. Olympic Trials qualifier in the 5000, Ryan Bak, 27, of St. Louis won the inaugural 10K with a course record time of 30 minutes, 18 seconds. Dan Strackeljahn from Lockport, IL, who has posted a 3:59 mile, finished runner-up in 30:49, while Webster Groves, MO resident Adam MacDowell captured third (30:54).

One the women's side, Julie Lossos, 28, of St. Louis finished first in 35:38. St. Charles, MO resident Jackie Pirtle-Hall captured second, posting a 37:02 10K and Katie Hauser, 28 from Columbia, MO was third (37:09).

Other notable finishers included two-time GO! St. Louis Marathon champion and Russellville, MO resident, Karl Gilpin, who placed fifth overall. Mitch Figas from Washington, MO was the top Masters finisher, posting a 35:11 time.

Five of the six overall men's and women's finishers were members of St. Louis-based Big River Running Company.

The GO! St. Louis Halloween 10K & Fun Run debuted this year with more than 2,500 total participants, many who dressed in festive costumes.

Inaugural GO! St. Louis Halloween 10K
St. Louis, MO, Sunday, October 18, 2009

MEN
1) Ryan Bak (MO), 30:18, $500
2) Dan Strackeljahn (IL), 30:49, $300
3) Adam MacDowell (MO), 30:54, $200

WOMEN
1) Julie Lossos (MO), 35:38, $500
2) Jackie Pirtle-Hall (MO), 37:02, $300
3) Katie Hauser (MO), 37:09, $200

For overall results, visit: www.gostlouis.org

$13,000 U.S.-only prize purse; race proceeds benefit Childhelp

CORVALLIS, Ore. - (October 20, 2009) - Olympians Elva Dyer and Jonathon Riley and 5000 meter specialist Lauren Fleshman headline professional fields at the inaugural Strands 5K on Saturday, October 24. Athletes will compete for a $13,000 U.S.-only prize purse in Corvallis.

Dryer was an Olympian in the 5000 meters at the 2000 Olympic Games and has a personal record of 15:03.56 from the 2001 Bislett Games. She also represented the United States in the 2004 Olympics in the 10,000 meters. Earlier this year, Dryer was 4th at the USA 15K Championships, running a 50:43, before shifting her focus to the marathon for the bulk of the 2009 road season.

Also expected in the women's field is 5-time NCAA champion and 15-time All-American Lauren Fleshman (Eugene, Ore.), Team Strands athlete Meghan Armstrong (Minneapolis, Minn.) and newly minted USA 25K champion Sally Meyerhoff of Eugene.

In the men's field, 2004 Olympian Jonathon Riley is the man to beat. He has a personal best of 13:19.92 in the 5000 meters - a mark he set in 2007. Riley, a teammate of Fleshman at Stanford, graduated with all-time Top 5 honors in eight different events for the Cardinals, including the anchor leg of a DMR World Indoor Record (9:28.83). He is a 3-time USA Indoor champion (2003-05) and was a 2008 World Indoor Championships finalist in the 3000 meters, where he owns a best of 7:46.84.

Joining Riley on the start line will be fellow OTC athlete and 8:26.08 steepler Ben Bruce (Eugene, Ore.), 2-time University of Portland All-American Michael Kilburg (Seattle, Wash.) with a 5000 best of 13:49.88, Team Strands athlete Josh Glaab (Boulder, Colo.) and Carlos Trujillo (Eugene, Ore.).

In addition to hosting the professional field, the race will feature a community 5K, a children's race and a post-race party in Central Park. All race proceeds benefit Childhelp, an organization dedicated to helping victims of child abuse and neglect. Childhelp's mission is to meet the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of abused, neglected and at-risk children through advocacy, prevention, treatment and community outreach. Find more ways to get involved or information on how to donate directly through the Childhelp.org website.

The 5K race will begin at 9:00am PST on October 24. The children's race will begin at 10:00am, followed by an awards ceremony and post-race party outside Strands headquarters at Central Park in Corvallis. For more information and a race registration link, visit www.strands5k.com, call the race hotline at (541) 740-5306 or email at strands5k@strands.com.

Strands.com is an online training log and social networking site where athletes share their training, connect with friends and teammates and streamline their online activities. The site is operated by Strands Labs, Inc. For more information, go to: http://corp.strands.com

Inaugural "Red, White & Boom" TC Half Marathon will also include four-mile and kids distances

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - (October 2009) - Twin Cities in Motion is adding a half-marathon to its line-up of offerings throughout the year of running events in Minneapolis, Minnesota. "Red, White & Boom" TC Half Marathon is the first half-marathon planned by the organization and was created to meet the growing interest in that distance and to offer runners a major event that can be included in holiday weekend plans surrounding July 4th.

"Running is showing no signs of slowing as people continue to value health and fitness," said Twin Cities in Motion executive director Virginia Brophy Achman. "We're thrilled to offer the new Red, White & Boom TC Half Marathon on July 4th and have seen interest in this distance supported through research the governing body of running has conducted as well as from our running community here in the Twin Cities."

A four-mile distance, as well as kids events, will be part of the morning, allowing walkers and runners of all ages and abilities to join in the festivities. The national half-marathon is planned for the Minneapolis area surrounding Boom Island during the peak tourism season in the Midwest, giving families more opportunities to "Explore Minnesota". Visit mtcmarathon.org for more information.

Twin Cities in Motion, (formerly Twin Cities Marathon, Inc.) is the non-profit organization that organizes running events throughout the year, including the Medtronic TC 1 Mile, Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon, Medtronic TC 10 Mile, the TC 10K, TC5K and the Medtronic TC Family Events and Medtronic TC Kids Marathon program and related events, as a community service for the Minneapolis / St. Paul area. Visit mtcmarathon.org for more information and on the Twin Cities in Motion page on Facebook.