Running USA wire 11, February 7, 2010

$200,000 guaranteed prize purse includes $100,000 Honda LA Marathon Challenge plus $200,000 in bonus money for 25th silver edition

LOS ANGELES - (Feb. 6, 2010) - There has never been a marathon course quite like the new Stadium-to-the-Sea route for the 2010 Honda LA Marathon presented by K-Swiss. And there are few marathons which will reward the fast times expected as lavishly as the 2010 Honda LA Marathon.

A total prize purse of more than $400,000 will be available for the professional men and women competing in the 25th anniversary edition of the race, to be held on Sunday morning, March 21, split almost evenly between prize money and bonuses for fast times on the new course:

For the men and women competing in the pro field, the top five places in each gender will earn a combined total of $50,000 plus a new Honda. The male and female winners will receive $20,000 each and a new Honda Insight EX hybrid with navigation (retail price of $23,100), with placers 2-5 in each gender winning $12,500, $10,000, $5000 and $2500, respectively.

In addition, the winner of the unique Honda LA Marathon Challenge, for the first male or female runner to cross the finish line, will receive a $100,000 cash bonus. The female elite runners will begin earlier than the men according to a carefully-calculated handicap based on the career-best times recorded by the top runners in the race.

That base prize purse of $200,000 plus two Honda Insight hybrid sedans will be augmented by an additional bonus purse of up to $200,000, with $100,000 available in each gender for times which will rank among the top marks in the world:

* For times equal to or better than the 10th-best time in the world for 2009: $50,000: Men: 2:06:00 or Women: 2:25:06
* For times equal to or better than the 20th-best time in the world for 2009: $25,000: Men: 2:06:30 or Women: 2:25:38
* For times equal to or better than the 30th-best time in the world for 2009: $12,500: Men: 2:07:10 or Women: 2:25:53
* For times equal to or better than the 40th-best time in the world for 2009: $10,000: Men: 2:07:52 or Women: 2:26:47
* For times equal to or better than the 50th-best time in the world for 2009: $5000: Men: 2:08:15 or Women: 2:27:06

There is a cap of $100,000 in bonus awards for each gender for a total of $200,000.

In 2009, using a loop course start started and finished in downtown Los Angeles, course and state records were set in both the men's and women's races, with Kenya's Wesley Korir winning the men's race in 2 hours, 8 minutes, 24 seconds and Russia's Tatyana Petrova first among women in 2:25:53. Those marks ranked 56th and 25th, respectively, in the world for 2009, but the course for 2010 is much faster.

Starting at legendary Dodger Stadium, the 26.2-mile route swings through downtown Los Angeles, passes the city's birthplace on what is now Main Street, then moves through Echo Park before moving west along some of the world's iconic streets: Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood Boulevard, Santa Monica Boulevard and onto one of the great running avenues anywhere, San Vicente Boulevard in Santa Monica before finishing on Ocean Avenue just steps from the Pacific Ocean.

The course begins at an elevation of 505 feet above sea level at Dodger Stadium, but ends at just 75 feet above sea level in Santa Monica. And while five of the first nine miles have climbs in elevation, only seven of the final 16 miles have climbs - all fairly modest - and the final 3.2 miles are essentially downhill.

"It's a wonderful course for the elite and recreational runner alike," noted Honda LA Marathon president Russ Pillar. "For the elites, the course has some challenges, but with an early start and a westward finish, there should be cool temperatures and a ripping-fast race. It's also going to be a visually-interesting course with so many L.A. landmarks along the way.

"Our commitment to a world-class footrace is underlined by the expanded prize and bonus purse we're offering this year."

Registration for the 25th edition of the Honda LA Marathon is continuing, but will be capped at 25,000 for the first-ever Stadium-to-the-Sea edition.

To register or for more information, go to: www.lamarathon.com

American Cancer Society to become official charity in Seattle, Chicago, New Orleans

ATLANTA and SAN DIEGO - (Feb. 2, 2010) - The American Cancer Society and the Competitor Group, Inc. have announced a new collaboration to empower endurance athletes of all abilities to take a more proactive role in improving their personal health and saving lives from cancer. The agreement will, for the first time, combine the resources of the nation's largest health care nonprofit with the endurance sports industry's leading media and event entertainment company to extend the reach of the American Cancer Society DetermiNation® endurance event program and to strengthen its impact on creating a world with less cancer and more birthdays.

The American Cancer Society / Competitor Group collaboration will begin with the Rock 'n' Roll Seattle™ Marathon & 1/2 Marathon this June, followed by the Rock 'n' Roll Chicago™ 1/2 Marathon in August, and the Rock 'n' Roll Mardi Gras™ Marathon & 1/2 Marathon in New Orleans in February 2011. All three events will be branded for the benefit of the American Cancer Society.

Additionally, the American Cancer Society will be designated as a preferred charity for Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Series events in Denver; Los Angeles; Nashville, Tenn.; Philadelphia; Phoenix; San Antonio; San Jose, Calif.; and Virginia Beach, Va.

"We are excited to join our DetermiNation program with the Competitor Group's Rock 'n' Roll series to provide an unmatched running experience for athletes of all abilities," said Alan G. Thorson, M.D., F.A.C.S., national volunteer president, American Cancer Society. "Many people are not aware of the important role that exercise plays in reducing cancer risk - in fact, one-third of all cancer deaths could be prevented with a healthy diet and exercise. By training for and running in a Rock 'n' Roll event that benefits the American Cancer Society, people can take one of their most important steps to stay well and reduce cancer risk by being physically active, while helping save lives from cancer."

Through their participation in the Rock 'n' Roll events in Seattle, Chicago and New Orleans, DetermiNation athletes can dedicate their event training and race participation to the only endurance charity program that helps save lives from all forms of cancer. As part of their involvement, these athletes will receive team training, race-weekend VIP amenities, social event opportunities, and much more.

"The Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Series, which provides a unique, world-class endurance event and rock concert in-one, is a proud supporter of the American Cancer Society and its DetermiNation program," said Competitor Group President Scott Dickey. "Our goal is to create connections that promote our vision of a healthy, fit world. This is a powerful alliance which will raise significant funds for the American Cancer Society."

The Rock 'n' Roll Series format is an enjoyable experience for race participants and spectators featuring live, local bands playing at every mile along the course to energize the runners. Events conclude with a finish line festival as participants celebrate with their families and friends at a headliner concert.

The Rock 'n' Roll series revolutionized the running industry in 1998, when it incorporated the live music component at each milepost with themed water stations and high school cheerleading squads providing refreshment and motivation along the way.

The DetermiNation program is the American Cancer Society's powerful and inspiring movement that empowers athletes of all abilities to make their miles more meaningful by dedicating their training and participation in marathons, triathlons, cycling and other endurance events to a lifesaving effort to end cancer.

Begun in Chicago in 1996 and formerly known as Charity Runner, the DetermiNation program expanded nationwide in 2007 and now includes an increasing variety of endurance events and the growing involvement of athletes across the country.

For more information about how to join the growing American Cancer Society DetermiNation team, visit: acsDetermiNation.org and for more on the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Series, go to: www.runrocknroll.com

Inaugural race will attract runners and wine enthusiasts to the Willamette Valley

SONOMA, Calif. - (February 5, 2010) - Destination Races, LLC is expanding its popular Wine Country Half Marathon Series to Oregon. The fourth, and newest, edition to this series, the Oregon Wine Country Half Marathon, will be held on Sunday, September 5, 2010 with activities planned throughout the Labor Day weekend.

The event features a bucolic 13.1 mile course starting at Stoller Vineyards and Winery in Dundee. Runners then wind through the heart of the Willamette Valley, finishing in the quaint town of Carlton where the Wine & Music Festival is held from 9:00am to noon.

More than 20 wineries from the Willamette Valley will be pouring their wines at the festival, which also features the race awards ceremony, live band, exhibitor booths, and beer and food garden. The festival is co-sponsored by Ken Wright Cellars and the Willamette Valley Wineries Association.

The Race Expo is held on Saturday from 10:00am to 6:00pm at The Allison Inn, a luxury resort located in Newberg. Open to the public, the expo features exhibitor booths, packet pickup for runners, informational seminars and a wine and food tasting hosted by Chehalem Mountain Winegrowers.

According to Matt Dockstader, founder of Destination Races, the event is positioned to introduce the Oregon wine country to a whole new market, "We think this event will open a lot of eyes of people from around the country. This area is so scenic and the wines are outstanding but, best of all, the people here are so warm and welcoming".

Dockstader believes this is going to be one of the premier destination races in the country and if the other Wine Country Half Marathons are any indication of what's to come, Oregon wine country can see a significant and measureable boost in tourism that weekend due to the event.

Destination Races also produces the Napa-to-Sonoma, Santa Barbara and Healdsburg Wine Country Half Marathons in California. These boutique-style events draw runners from all over the country and are limited to 3,000 runners or less, usually selling out well in advance of the race. The Oregon Wine Country Half Marathon also offers a team competition and a 2-person relay.

Elite runners will compete for $2000 in prize money sponsored by West Coast Bank, plus Ball Watches and magnums of wine. Each participant receives a technical running shirt, colorful finisher's medal and logo wine glass. Top three finishers in each age category win wine and other awards. The Oregon Wine Country Half Marathon is limited to 2,000 participants in its inaugural year.

Registration is currently open and can be accessed on the event website at www.run4oregonwine.com. For more information on the event series, visit www.destinationraces.com

Five award winning shoes featured in the March Issue on newsstands Tuesday, February 2

NEW YORK - Runner's World magazine, the worldwide authority on running information, highlights and reviews 27 of the best new running shoes on the market in its annual Spring Shoe Guide special, on sale on Tuesday, February 2, 2010.

Five of the 27 shoes showcased - all of which were put through rigorous testing by Runner's World editors, 350 "wear-testers" and the one-of-a-kind Runner's World Shoe Lab - were cited as best in class in the following three categories: Editor's Choice, Best Update, and Best Buy. Criteria guidelines for awards in each category and winners in those categories for 2010 Spring Shoe Guide are as follows:

EDITOR'S CHOICE: Represents an outstanding shoe that successfully combines the highest-quality design and technology. Our Editor's Choice Winner received the highest marks from the RW Shoe Lab, the wear-testers and the editors.

* The Brooks Glycerin 8 has always stood up to the footstrike of big runners, and Brooks Glycerin 8 is no exception. It's the first shoe with Brooks' new gel-like material in the heel and forefoot, and the payoff is a ride that's not too soft and not too firm but just right. This resilient ride is complemented by an upper that gives the midfoot a big bear hug that secures the foot over the supportive arch. Our wear-testers overwhelmingly loved the cushioning and superior fit. Recommended for high- to normal-arched runners as a go-to long-distance shoe.

BEST UPDATE: Recognizes a significant improvement made to an existing model.

* Nike Air Structure Triax 13+ (Men's & Women's Versions) - The Men's version is that rare stability shoe that delivers stellar support without feeling clunky and stiff. Nike removed the footbridge in this update and redesigned the midfoot post to gradually correct over-pronation without jutting uncomfortably into the arch. Testers loved the Men's lightweight feel and cushy forefoot. Recommended for runners with normal arches looking for a comfortable everyday trainer. The Women's version enhances the stability features of the Men's version in two ways - the rounded crash pad helps reduce pronation forces before they really get rolling; and the upper uses a detached strap to lock down the foot over the sole. Recommend for women with normal to low arches looking for a supportive yet flexible shoe.

* Mizuno WAVE Elixir 5 - The low-to-the-ground and zippy Elixir provides a surprisingly plush landing. Our lab tests show that it offers top-notch heel cushioning for a performance shoe. The lightweight and resilient new midsole material adds a whole new dimension with testers appreciating the springy cushioning almost as much as the shoe's featherweight feel. Recommended as a training shoe for efficient runners or as a racing shoe for runners with low arches.

BEST BUY: Acknowledges a shoe that offers the best fit and function for its price.

* Mizuno Wave Nexus 4 - This Best Buy standpoint, at just $85, offers a fair amount of stability with few frills. The upper is roomy in the toebox and snug through the arch, and the shoe uses a lot of padding in the tongue and collar to snugly hold the heel and ankle. Testers raved about the "great fit" and "fantastic weight-to-stability ratio." Recommended as an affordable everyday trainer for runners with medium builds.

Every shoe reviewed by Runner's World is first bench-tested at the Runner's World Shoe Lab-an independent testing facility in Portland, Oregon. All shoes are flexed, pounded and prodded to see how well they perform. Shoes are then matched to one of 350 wear-testers in one of our three wear-test centers across the country based on their individual biomechanical needs and the shoe's performance characteristics.

Testers, who must log a minimum of 25 miles per week, run in the shoes for about a month before submitting their evaluations, noting their total mileage run in each shoe and rating it for qualities including weight, traction, cushioning, support, lacing system and upper material comfort, among other categories.

Runner's World is the only magazine in the world to independently test running shoes in this way, in order to give its editors the most objective means necessary to determine which shoes are most deserving of award status. Because Runner's World only tests and reviews the best products available, shoes that have been tested may use the "Tested by the Runner's World Shoe Lab" label.