Running USA wire 21, March 14, 2010

Race record of more than 13,300 participate in 33rd edition

JACKSONVILLE - (March 13, 2010) - Mohamed Trafeh (Duarte, Calif.) took control from the gun to win his first U.S. title, running 42 minutes, 58 seconds Saturday morning at the USA 15K Championships in Jacksonville, Florida. After finishing as runner-up the past two years, Katie McGregor (St. Louis Park, Minn.) easily took the women's title in 49:51 at the 33rd Gate River Run.

With this year's race once again featuring the "Equalizer Bonus", the professional women's race started five minutes before the rest of the field. At the start, clear, cool conditions met a race record of more than 13,300 runners as McGregor and two-time national 15K champion Jen Rhines (Mammoth Lakes, Calif.), 2006 race and U.S. champion Blake Russell (Monterey, Calif.), 2008 Olympian Magdalena Lewy Boulet (Oakland, Calif.) and four-time Olympian Colleen De Reuck (Boulder, Colo.) led more than 45 of the top U.S. women through the opening miles.

By five miles, McGregor and three-time Olympian Rhines had pulled away from the field and were in a duel for the national title. Approaching six miles, McGregor made her move and began to pull away from Rhines.

As she made her way up the famous Hart Bridge, McGregor, 32, steadily extended her lead and cruised to win her 5th USA title - 36 seconds ahead of Rhines. Lewy Boulet held on for third in 50:39 as evergreen De Reuck, 45, took fourth in 50:51 and Rebecca Donaghue (State College, Pa.) finished fifth (51:13).

In the men's race, Trafeh, 24, jumped to an early lead, building a 10 second lead by the time he passed the first mile in 4:22. As his lead grew with each mile, the 2009 USA 20K Championship runner-up had only McGregor to chase for the $5000 Equalizer Bonus.

Shortly after passing 10K in 28:19, Trafeh passed the lead women and went unchallenged to the tape with a 54 second win over Tim Nelson (Corvallis, Ore.), the national runner-up again. 2010 USA Half-Marathon champion Antonio Vega (Minneapolis, Minn.) took third in 43:56, while his Team USA Minnesota teammate Jason Lehmkuhle (Minneapolis, Minn.) finished fourth in 44:00. Sean Quigley (Braintree, Mass.) rounded out the top-five in 44:06.

2010 marked the 17th year that the national championships have been hosted by the Gate River Run and featured a total prize purse of $58,000, with Trafeh and McGregor each earning $12,000 for their U.S. titles.

In addition, Trafeh earned the Equalizer Bonus of $5000 for being the first male or female to cross the finish line. The 5 minute "head start" was based on the time differential of the U.S. 15K records: 42:22 for the men (Todd Williams, 1995) and 47:15 for the women (Deena Drossin, 2003), both set on the Gate River Run course. The men now hold a 6-1 lead in the Equalizer Bonus.

Trafeh also produced the first sub-43 minute time at the race since 2002 when Meb Keflezighi ran 42:48.

Video highlights of the USA 15K Championships and pre- and post-race video interviews with top athletes are available at www.USATF.org in cooperation with RunnerSpace.com.

33rd Gate River Run: USA 15K Championships
Jacksonville, FL, Saturday, March 13, 2010

MEN
1) Mohamed Trafeh (CA), 42:58, $17,000*
2) Tim Nelson (OR), 43:52, $5000
3) Antonio Vega (MN), 43:56, $3000
4) Jason Lehmkuhle (MN), 44:00, $2000
5) Sean Quigley (MA), 44:06, $1000
6) Ryan Vail (OR), 44:37, $900
7) Patrick Smyth (MN), 44:42, $800
8) Nicholas Arciniaga (CA), 44:51, $700
9) Charlie Serrano (CA), 44:54, $600
10) Stephan Shay (MI), 44:54, $500
*includes $5000 "Equalizer Bonus"

WOMEN
1) Katie McGregor (MN), 49:51, $12,000
2) Jen Rhines (CA), 50:27, $5000
3) Magdalena Lewy Boulet (CA), 50:39, $3000
4) Colleen De Reuck, 45, CO, 50:51, $3000#
5) Rebecca Donaghue (PA), 51:13, $1000
6) Renee Metivier-Baillie (CO), 51:37, $900
7) Blake Russell (CA), 51:46, $800
8) Amy Hastings (CA), 51:55, $700
9) Lindsey Anderson (UT), 51:56, $600
10) Kelly Jaske (OR), 51:58, $500
#includes $1000 first Masters prize money

Complete results and more at: www.gate-riverrun.com

Keating captures third consecutive half-marathon win; more than 9,200 finishers in the Big D

DALLAS - (March 14, 2010) - The inaugural Rock 'n' Roll Dallas 1/2 Marathon, benefiting Susan G. Komen for the Cure, held Sunday on a clear sunny morning, was highlighted by 28-year-old Texan Westly Keating's 1:03:31 victory and Kansas City's Melissa Todd's win in the women's race.

Keating surged at mile 6 to break away from Kenyan Shadrack Songok, and cruised to his third straight half-marathon title.

"The half-marathon distance has been good to me," said Keating, who won the 2009 Rock 'n' Roll San Antonio Half Marathon and January's 3M Half Marathon in Austin. "I wanted to go out hard for the first eight miles, and then coast for the final five miles downhill. Shadrack went out hard too, but there were some nice long straight-aways where I was able to get in a groove. It was a great race."

Songok and countryman James Kirwa finished second and third in 1:05:53 and 1:06:35 respectively.

Todd, 35, a six-time NCAA Division III All-American at Carthage College, finished in 1:16:46 - 49 seconds ahead of runner-up Abbi Antablin of New York City. Dallas resident Melisa Christian took third in 1:18:21.

"I ran a pace that felt right, my goal was to do the best I could and see what happened. It feels awesome to win," said Todd, who holds a PhD in Counseling Psychology. "The music was cool, I listen to my iPod when I train and normally in races you don't see that fun concert type of atmosphere."

The 13.1 mile event, which had more than 9,200 finishers, began at 8:00am to the cheers of the iconic Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders and featured a scenic course that ran through Highland Park and down Swiss Avenue, with the University of Texas Longhorn Pep Marching Band performing as runners approached the finish line.

Inaugural Rock 'n' Roll Dallas 1/2 Marathon
Dallas, TX, Sunday, March 14, 2010

MEN
1) Westly Keating (USA / TX), 1:03:31
2) Shadrack Songok (KEN), 1:05:53
3) James Kirwa (KEN), 1:06:35

WOMEN
1) Melissa Todd (USA / MO), 1:16:46
2) Abbi Antablin (USA / NY), 1:17:35
3) Melisa Christain (USA / TX), 1:18:21

Full results, race photos and more at: http://dallas.competitor.com

Race is one of only seven marathons nationwide to achieve Council for Responsible Sport certification in 2009

LOS ANGELES - (March 10, 2010) - Organizing a major marathon involves a mountain of details, and creates a mountain of trash.

The 2010 Honda LA Marathon presented by K-Swiss, set for Sunday, March 21, however, is finding ways to reduce the environmental impact of the event and its 2009 efforts earned it certification from the Council for Responsible Sport (CRS), based on scoring on its six categories of waste, climate, equipment and materials, community and outreach, health promotion and innovation. It is one of only seven marathons nationally to receive certification.

The Marathon worked with Athletes for a Fit Planet to create and execute the plan for certification qualification. The highlights from the 2009 effort included:

* Diversion of about 50% of the 10 tons of solid waste created by the race away from landfills to recycling and waste-to-energy uses, resulting in less than 0.5 lbs of landfill waste per participant. The thousands of wax paper cups collected from the course were turned into clean energy.
* Introduction of a "virtual goodie bag" that saved the use of 50,000 plastic bags and printing of about 1,000,000 pieces of literature. Participants received an email with product and service promotions that they could redeem online.
* Reduction of the carbon footprint of the race by using bio-diesel-powered generators and encouraging participants to ride-share or use public transportation to get to the race.
* Partnership with Heal the Bay to raise awareness and funding for programs to clean up Santa Monica Bay.
* Partnership with Students Run L.A., a program to encourage fitness among youth, which is part of the CRS social responsibility category of Health Promotion.
* Provided "green' portable toilets, which replaced toxic chemicals used in the tanks with eco-friendly, non-toxic chemicals.

"The LA Marathon did a phenomenal job to green the race in 2009 by earning certification to the rigorous industry standard administered by the Council for Responsible Sport," said Bruce Rayner, Chief Green Officer, Athletes for a Fit Planet. "The race organizers are committed to making sustainability a core element of the identity of the race again this year."

Additional efforts being channeled into the 2010 race include, but are not limited to:

* Recycling of runner's gear-check bags and mylar blankets at the Finish Line Beach Party.
* Composting of food waste from the pre-race Win Forever Inspiration Dinner.
* Printing of some promotional literature using soy-based inks.
* Awarding of reusable water bottles for age-group winners.
* Free bike valet area at the Finish Line Beach Party (located at 1550 Pacific Coast Highway) and at Ocean and Arizona Avenues in Santa Monica from 7:00am to 5:00pm on raceday, Sunday, March 21.

A specially-recruited team of Eco Volunteers will be assisting with the effort, both at the LA Marathon Expo at Dodger Stadium and around the finish-line area in Santa Monica, encouraging recycling packaging materials used by vendors and collecting recyclable materials from runners.

CRS formally launched the standard in 2009 and the Marathon was one of the first events nationally to commit to certification.

"Any event of our size, with 25,000 participants and more than a half-million spectators, is going to generate some environmental impact," noted LA MARATHON LLC creative director Peter Abraham. "But with some careful planning and an eye toward reducing waste wherever we can, we can make a difference and we're committed to doing so."

For more information on the 25th LA Marathon, visit: www.lamarathon.com

Women's winner finishes second overall, smashes course record at second edition

MIAMI - (March 7, 2010) - Local standout runner Bryan Sharkey won his first half-marathon Sunday morning at the 13.1 Marathon® Miami Beach, but it took a strong kick to pull away from Rebecca Robinson of England.

Starkey, a 2008 Princeton University graduate and a member of the Gulliver Prep 2001 cross country state championship team, covered the 13.1 mile course in 1 hour, 13 minutes, 44 seconds, while Robinson crossed the finish line in 1:14:14 to crush the women's course record. Robinson's time was nearly 14 minutes faster than 2009 female winner Alexis Lamb's at the inaugural event.

Sharkey credited his time to the push he got from the 27-year-old from Cumbria, England, who spent last week in Miami "at the beach on holiday." She took over the race at the 8-mile mark, then shared the lead with Sharkey until he took control with a mile to go.

"It was fun to run with her, and it was motivating to be with someone so fast," said Sharkey, a 22-year-old who finished fourth at the ING Miami Marathon in January. "I wanted to win the male overall, but you feel like you should win the overall too."

Michael McGrane, 39, of Arlington, MA was third in 1:15:52, while Daniel Lee of Tallahassee won the event's 5K race.

"When we heard over the radio that we had a female runner in the lead and we shared the news over the PA, it created quite a buzz at the finish line," said Dave Scott, General Manager and Race Director for US Road Sports & Entertainment of Florida. "The fact that Rebecca was a visitor to South Florida was also impressive and I hope we will see her return to defend her women's title next year.

"We are equally proud of Bryan's efforts. He always brings his best to each of our races and we are pleased to add his name to our list of champions."

The 13.1-mile race with 2,012 registered runners began under clear skies on a 54 degree morning in the heart of South Beach. The runners traveled over the twin hills of the Julia Tuttle Causeway, and then doubled back across the bridge. After reaching Ocean Drive, they turned south and ran on the coastal boardwalk before heading to the finish line in front of Lummus Park and the Art Deco District's Hotel Victor.

Sharkey, Robinson, McGrane, and Weston, FL's Gabriel Leitz covered the first eight miles together before Robinson made her move. "I tried to stay with her," said Sharkey. "I said to myself 'I don't know if I can keep this pace for five more miles.' But I felt fresh at the last mile mark, got a shot of adrenalin and was able to go."

"At the 12-mile mark, he said 'Come on!' but my legs were tired," said Robinson, a doctor serving her internship in general practice. "I didn't think the pace would be this quick. He picked up the pace and I didn't have a kick."

Sharkey won the race despite a partially torn Achilles tendon, which was scheduled for surgery Monday.

Lee, a 21-year-old accounting and finance major at Florida State University, broke open a two-man race in the 5K to finish in 16:19 over Coconut Grove's Jon Williams, 41, who crossed in 17:08. Alina Kuang, 39, of Sunny Isles Beach was the top women and 12th overall in 21:36.

Veteran marathoner Dane Rauschenberg, in town to promote his book "See Dane Run," finished 18th in the half-marathon Sunday. Rauschenberg's book is based on his 2006 experience of running 52 marathons in 52 weekends while holding down a full-time job.

The Miami Beach 13.1® is one of eight 13.1 Marathon races across the country - "where the party meets the pavement", with the next half-marathon scheduled for Saturday, April 3 in New York City.

2nd 13.1 Marathon® Miami Beach
Miami, FL, Sunday, March 7, 2010

MEN
1) Bryan Sharkey (FL), 1:13:44
2) Michael McGrane (MA), 1:15:52
3) Gabriel Leitz (FL), 1:16:01

WOMEN
1) Rebecca Robinson (GBR), 1:14:14*
2) Nicole Mann (IL), 1:26:36
3) Elizabeth Losken (GA), 1:28:00
*course record (previous record, 1:28:12, Alexis Lamb, 2009)

For further information including results, go to: www.131miamibeach.com