Running USA wire 20, March 10, 2010

Flamino women's national champion at Caumsett State Park 50K

INDIANAPOLIS - On Sunday, March 7, Michael Wardian (left, USATF), 35, (Arlington, Va.) earned his third straight USA 50K road title running 2 hours, 55 minutes, 50 seconds at the Caumsett State Park 50K in Huntington N.Y. Yolanda Flamino, 33, (Hancock, N.H.) won the women's 2010 national title in 3:34:26.

National runner-ups were Malcolm Campbell (Marietta, Ga.) in 3:04:23 and Annette Bednosky, 43, (Jefferson, N.C.), who also captured the Masters (40+) women's title, in 3:43:48. Scott Jaime, 40, (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) took the Masters men's crown in 3:13:25 and third overall.

This year's event was hosted by USATF Long Island and was held for the fifth consecutive year in Caumsett State Historic Park, the fourth largest of Long Island's 25 state parks. The park boasts 1,500 acres and is located 35 miles from New York City. The USA 50K Championship will be held at Caumsett for the next two years.

Caumsett State Park 50K: USA Championships
Huntington, NY, Sunday, March 7, 2010

MEN
1) Michael Wardian (VA), 2:55:50
2) Malcolm Campbell (GA), 3:04:23
3) Scott Jaime, 40, CO, 3:13:25

WOMEN
1) Yolanda Flamino (NH), 3:34:26
2) Annette Bednosky, 43, NC, 3:43:48
3) Jill Perry (NY), 3:47:59

Complete USA Championship results and more at: www.usatf.org/events/2010/USA50kmChampionships

More than 2,500 children also experience Union-Tribune Kid's Magic Mile

SAN DIEGO - (March 7, 2010) - Kenyans Haron Lagat and Jane Kibii claimed victories at the 22nd Union-Tribune Race for Literacy 8K held on Sunday morning. Temperatures in the mid-50s and steady rain made for some very un-chamber-of-commerce-like San Diego conditions, but it did not deter the 2,110 runners and walkers who participated in the 4.97-mile event that started in historic Balboa Park and finished downtown. More than 3,500 were registered in the event.

Lagat, the 2007-08 race champion, was first to sail past the finish line, winning in 22 minutes, 57 seconds. Kibii dominated the women's field, clocking her first Union-Tribune Race for Literacy victory in 26:16.

In the men's race Lagat, 26, and countryman, Aron Rono, took the lead early on, separating themselves from the chase pack during the first mile. The duo ran side-by-side until Lagat booked it to the finish line in the final 800 meters.

"I wanted to beat the course record, but I knew it wasn't going to happen because of the rain," recounted Lagat. "My shoes were soaked." The course record (22:28) was set by David Kipngetich in 2002.

Rono, 27, was runner-up seven seconds back (23:04) with Mario Marcias of Alamosa, Colo. third in 23:21. Lagat finished five seconds slower than his 2007 event best and 29 seconds off the course record.

Kibii, 24, who won the Carlsbad Half Marathon in January, enjoyed a wire-to-wire victory. Johanna Bonfiglio of Carlsbad, Calif. finished second in 27:56 and Mary Kate Bailey of San Diego was third (28:16).

The unique Union-Tribune Race for Literacy course winds through San Diego's Balboa Park and the colorful Hillcrest neighborhood before taking runners and walkers onto the closed Cabrillo Parkway, a picturesque highway. The race's final mile tours through the historic Gaslamp District and finishes downtown.

Owned and managed by In Motion, Inc. of Carlsbad, Calif., the Union-Tribune Race for Literacy weekend also included the Union-Tribune Kid's Magic Mile fun run, which took place on Saturday, March 6. More than 2,500 children participated in the one mile dash through Balboa Park. The event weekend benefits literacy programs in San Diego County.

22nd Union-Tribune Race for Literacy 8K
San Diego, CA, Sunday, March 7, 2010

MEN
1) Haron Lagat (KEN), 22:57, $1000
2) Aron Rono (KEN), 23:04, $500
3) Mario Macias (MEX / CO), 23:21, $250

WOMEN
1) Jane Kibii (KEN), 26:16, $1000
2) Johanna Bonfiglio (USA / CA), 27:56, $500
3) Mary Kate Bailey (USA / CA), 28:16, $250

For race results and more, go to: www.inmotionevents.com

33rd edition has 23 miles of dirt trails where the buffalo roam; final leg of the American Trail Championship on beautiful Catalina Island

AVALON, Calif. - (March 9, 2010) - The tradition continues this weekend at the 33rd Catalina Marathon, rated the #1 Off-Road Marathon in the world. More than a thousand athletes will run 26.2 miles from Two Harbors to Avalon on Catalina Island, located 20 miles off the coast of Long Beach. The race is on Saturday, March 13th, and begins at 7:00am.

The run is comprised of 23 miles on dirt trails, which athletes often share with the Island's native buffalos. These trails are usually inaccessible to the general public, but runners are given the special treat of running this majestic course.

This race has also been called Runner's World's "Cult Marathon of the United States." Marathoners return year after year to brave the numerous hills and 1600-foot elevation climb. The hard work is rewarded with amazing views and gorgeous wildlife.

This year's field includes athletes from 34 different states, and even a few international competitors, including three runners from Australia and four from Canada.

Along with this weekend's full 26.2-mile race, the Catalina Marathon offers a 10K, 5K and 1-mile Kids Run. The evening of the race includes a post-race party, for athletes to kick back and relax after a hard day's work.

The Catalina Marathon is also the final leg of the American Trail Championship, a trail series that includes February's first Catalina run, the Buffalo Run Half Marathon. The combined times of the Buffalo Run and Catalina Marathon will determine an American Trail champion.

Jack Caress, the owner of Pacific Sports LLC, says that this is one of his favorite races of the year. "The Catalina Marathon is the finest off all off-road marathons. We are always excited to bring back the great tradition of this race on one of the most spectacular venues of any course in the world."

For information, questions, or to register for the Catalina Marathon, visit PacificSportsLLC.com or call (714) 978-1528.

Dean Karnazes' and Brandi Chastain's charities announce the "Leave No Child Inside Challenge" sponsored by Road ID

SAN FRANCISCO - Dean Karnazes' charity, The Karno Kids Foundation, has partnered with Olympic gold medalist Brandi Chastain's Bay Area Women's Sports Initiative (BAWSI) and the Plus 3 Network to ensure that there is sufficient funding for important, active after school programs throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.

Karnazes (left), known as "Ultramarathon Man", was delighted to make the announcement, saying, "Karno Kids has always been about inspiring kids to get up and get out. In supporting great organizations like BAWSI through the use of Plus 3's program, we are creating a triad of healthy inspiration."

Along with pledging his support to BAWSI, Karnazes urged the public to do the same, adding that it would be completely free for them to do so. Individuals can ensure further donations by Karno Kids to BAWSI by visiting www.plus3network.com, registering for a free membership and choosing Team Karno Kids / BAWSI as the charity they would like to support. Thereafter, once someone records any physical activities that they have participated in, Karno Kids will automatically donate money to BAWSI.

Karnazes continued, "Whether you are walking, running with me, or playing soccer with Brandi, by recording your active lifestyle you are 'making it count'."

To kick-off the partnership, one of Dean's sponsors, Road ID, is sponsoring the "Leave No Child Inside Challenge". The first 13 people in February, March and April 2010 to record 13 road runs on Plus 3 will receive a free Wrist ID Elite bracelet provided by Road ID.

"This is a great opportunity for people to help a worthy organization, get active, and maybe even win a great product to help them stay safe while out on the road," added Karnazes.

In support of this initiative, Brandi Chastain, the 1999 World Cup star, will be participating in the Challenge. "Our goal at BAWSI is to inspire women of all ages to not only become more active, but also to gain self-confidence throughout all areas of their life. We have found that by doing the former, we can spark the latter," said Chastain, a BAWSI co-founder. "These challenges and the funding received help us every step of the way."