Running USA wire 22, March 17, 2010

Fast times expected on new Stadium to the Sea course; $100,000 Challenge bonus for the first person to the finish line; 25,000 sold-out field for 25th edition on Sunday, March 21

LOS ANGELES - (March 15, 2010) - When Wesley Korir lined up at the start of the Los Angeles Marathon last year, the idea of winning the race, setting a new race and state record and winning $188,705 in cash and prizes wasn't even a dream. He was just hoping to run a strong race.

But two hours, eight minutes and 24 seconds later, he'd achieved all three and now looks forward to defending his title in Sunday's 2010 Honda LA Marathon presented by K-Swiss.

"When I get in a race now, people say 'That's Wesley, he won in L.A. last year,' said Korir (left, LAM), who lives in Louisville, Kentucky. "That is definitely my identity now: the L.A. man. And I love L.A., I love this city. I love what it has meant to me. I love to be associated with L.A. I love that identity, to be known as the 'L.A. man.'"

At the 25th silver edition, Korir will face a determined field in the men's professional race, including the fastest marathoner ever to compete in this race: Kenya's Richard Limo, who has run 2:06:45, plus last year's runner-up, Tariku Jufar of Ethiopia (lifetime best of 2:08:10) and third-placer Laban Kipkemboi of Kenya (2:08:38).

Korir, Jufar and Kipkemboi ran a stirring race for 22 miles last year, with Kipkemboi dropping back first, and Korir finally establishing dominance at the 24-mile mark to win by one minute eight seconds.

The men's field is one of the deepest ever to run in Los Angeles: seven men with lifetime bests under 2:10:00 and six more at 2:12:00 or faster. Kenyan men have won this race 11 straight times.

Korir has studied the new Stadium to the Sea course, especially the undulations of the first six miles of the route, going downhill from the start at Dodger Stadium into Downtown Los Angeles in the first three miles and then up 1st Street into Echo Park in the second three.

"This is going to be a very fast course," Korir noted. "2:07, or 2:06, I won't be surprised. The thing about it, if you can overcome these 3-4 miles in the beginning and if you can get yourself [into Hollywood] strong, all the rest is a piece of cake. People are going to be rolling."

In the women's professional field, Russian women have won five consecutive Los Angeles Marathons and Silvia Skvortsova (best of 2:26:24) is one of two Russians in the field; she placed third in last year's race. The fastest time among women entrants belongs to Ethiopia's Ashu Kasim, who ran 2:25:49 last year in Paris, ten seconds faster than last year's winning time in L.A.

Looking for a new lifetime best is U.S. marathoner Paige Higgins of Flagstaff, Arizona, who has run 2:33:06 and competed for the United States at the IAAF World Championships Marathon in Berlin last August.

"This is the 'go for it' year," she told Runner's World Racing News, noting "if the weather's good and everything, I think it's going to be a fast course." She is looking to break through the 2:30 barrier, adding "I'm still looking for time ... I want to make the jump to the next level, where I'm competing on the world stage."

The men's and women's races are tied together by the Marathon's unique Challenge, which awards a $100,000 prize to the first man or woman runner to cross the finish line. The women will enjoy a handicap to start the race, based on an average of the lifetime bests of the top runners. The Challenge, originated in this race in 2004, is tied at 3-3 between men and women over its six-year history. In 2009, Korir ran down women's winner Tatiana Petrova in the 25th mile.

A prize purse of up to $400,000 in cash plus two Honda Insight EX sedans with navigation system (MSRP $23,100 each) will be up for grabs this Sunday. Prize money for the first five male and female finishers will include $20,000 for first place, $12,500 for second, $10,000 for third, $5000 for fourth and $2500 for fifth. In addition to the $100,000 Challenge prize, time bonuses of up to a cumulative total of $100,000 per gender will be available for runners finishing in 2:08:15 (men) or 2:27:06 (women) or faster.

Star racers Aaron Gordian of Mexico and Amanda McGrory headline the wheelchair fields, for which there will be a separate prize purse of $2500 for first, $1000 for second and $500 for third. Gordian and McGrory both won in Los Angeles in 2009 and will be chasing the Nan Harmon Time Bonus Award of $1000 for a wheelchair race record.

The 2010 Honda LA Marathon presented by K-Swiss will be the first run on the iconic Stadium to the Sea course that begins at Dodger Stadium, winds through Downtown Los Angeles, Hollywood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, then through the Veterans Administration Greater Los Angeles Healthcare Center and into Santa Monica, finishing on Ocean Avenue and Santa Monica Boulevard. The race will start with the wheelchair fields at 6:55am, followed by the women's professional field at approximately 7:03am and the men (and the rest of the field) at about 7:20am.

The weather forecast for Sunday's race is mostly sunny with temperatures from 52F (low) to 77F (high).

The race will be broadcast in its entirety on KTLA 5 in Los Angeles and seen nationally on Universal Sports beginning at 7:00am PDT. It will be covered from start to finish on radio by AM 570 KLAC. All three outlets will stream their coverage on the web as well.

For more information, visit: www.lamarathon.com

Event record setting funds to benefit 46 charities

HOUSTON - (March 9, 2010) - The largest field in the history of Chevron Houston Marathon weekend last January produced a record-setting total raised by the Houston Marathon Committee's Run for a Reason charity program. More than 12,000 donations raised $1.8 million to benefit 46 nonprofit organizations through Run for a Reason, which has generated more than $10.4 million in its 15-year history.

Even before a single mile had been run in the 2010 Chevron Houston Marathon, Aramco Houston Half Marathon or El Paso Corporation 5K (EP5K), the Run for a Reason program received $1.2 million in donations. Post-race contributions pushed the final tally beyond the previous record total of $1.26 million set in 2008.

"The dedicated runners who participate in our races and the family, friends and coworkers who support them with contributions through the Run for a Reason program continue to do extraordinary things for charity," said Brant Kotch, race director of the Chevron Houston Marathon. "During challenging economic times when these organizations need them the most, our community delivered and exceeded expectations."

The 2009-10 Run for a Reason charity program linked runners with participating nonprofits. Runners in all three races as well as individuals and organizations collected donations on behalf of an official charity of their choice.

Two new Run for a Reason initiatives included in this year's program proved popular with runners. The Hero entry program enabled runners to donate to their preferred official charity and secure a guaranteed registration for the race. In addition, a Fundraising for Registration option allowed runners to fundraise for an entry, with no up-front, out-of-pocket expense required on their part.

More than 26,000 runners registered to participate in the 38th Chevron Houston Marathon, Aramco Houston Half Marathon and EP5K, which took place on Sunday, January 17, 2010.

To learn more about how to apply to the 2010-11 Run for a Reason program, visit www.chevronhoustonmarathon.com/RunForAReason/index.cfm. Official charities will be announced in early June. The 39th running of the Chevron Houston Marathon is scheduled for Sunday, January 30, 2011.

About the Houston Marathon Committee, Inc.
Established in 1972, the Houston Marathon Committee, Inc. (HMC), a Running USA Founding Member, annually organizes the nation's premier winter marathon, half marathon, 5K and kids' fun run. In 2010, more than 30,000 runners participated in four race weekend events organized by 7,500 volunteers, creating Houston's largest single-day sporting event. In addition to hosting numerous world-renowned road races, including the USA Men's and Women's Half Marathon Championships since 2005 and the 1992 Women's U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials, HMC will host the 2012 Men's and Women's U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials on January 14, 2012.

For more information, visit: www.houstonmarathon.com or call (713) 957-3453.

Loren men's race champion; Wenger wins American Trail Championship

AVALON, Calif. - (March 13, 2010) - At the 33rd Catalina Marathon, under near perfect conditions and sunny skies on Saturday morning, triathlete Heather Fuhr, 42, of Encinitas, California set a women's course record of 3 hours, 7 minutes, 1 second, while Joshua Loren of Wilmington, Delaware won the men's race in 3:02:05. Fuhr, the 1997 Ironman world champion, shattered Danelle Ballengee's mark of 3:15:20 from 1997.

The "#1 Off Road Marathon" course did not disappoint this year as the 23 miles of trail were hard and fast with spectacular views of the ocean and even a few roaming buffaloes. This unique event allows athletes an "inside look" into the interior of historic Santa Catalina Island, running from Two Harbors to Avalon across a mostly uninhabited landscape.

The Catalina Marathon is a favorite of first-timers and veterans, locals and international athletes alike. The climb to an elevation of 1,600 feet and the laid-back atmosphere of the Island turn the marathoners into a tight-knit community of athletes. "Year bars" hang from hats of dedicated runners; five of whom have run the race in all of its 33 consecutive years.

In addition to the Marathon, the winners of the 5K and 10K were Milan Mali (18:24) and Sherri Elerby(22:01) and Mike Ruhe (38:04) and Jessica Routt (47:56), respectively.

Jack Caress, President and CEO of Pacific Sports, commented that this year's race had "perfect weather, maybe the best conditions ever for this race. It was great to see a new record set on this outstanding course."

The Catalina Marathon serves as the final leg of the American Trail Championship (ATC) and the 52.4 Pacific Challenge. The American Trail Championship is the combination of last month's Buffalo Run Half Marathon (also on Catalina Island) and the Catalina Marathon, and the 52.4 Pacific Challenge includes these two races plus February 7th's Rose Bowl Half Marathon.

2010's American Trail Championship champion was Catalina Island resident Michael Wenger, age 17. His Buffalo Run (1:38:03) and Catalina Marathon (3:29:27) times combined for a winning result of 5:07:30.

This year's 52.4 Pacific Sports winner was Allen Turrieta of San Diego, who finished all three races in 6:40:50.

33rd Catalina Marathon
Avalon, CA, Saturday, March 13, 2010

MEN
1) Joshua Loren (DE), 3:02:05
2) Rance Myers (AZ), 3:04:47
3) Justin Heinze (NJ), 3:12:40

WOMEN
1) Heather Fuhr, 42, CAN / CA, 3:07:01*
2) Josie Jacques-Maynes (CA), 3:42:47
3) Terry Quick, 46, CA, 3:52:14
*course record (previous record, 3:15:20, Danelle Ballengee (USA / CO), 1997)

For full results, go to: www.PacificSportsLLC.com

Be a Miler! American Running Association seeks community hosts in all 50 states

BETHESDA, Md. - (March 16, 2010) - On May 6-8, 2010, the American Running Association (ARA) aims to show kids and adults that running the mile can be fun and rewarding with the third National Run a Mile Days™. The American Running Association (ARA) and its partner Youth Runner Magazine (YR) see the mile as a kick start to a life of better fitness.

Last year, running the mile proved to be quite an event for boys and girls at Flandreau Indian School in South Dakota. All 300 plus students ran an improvised mile course to test their fitness. Many of these students had not challenged themselves in a running event. For some, the mile was a start. "The reason why I walked / ran the mile is because I wanted to see if I could make it without stopping or giving up," said Sandra from Flandreau.

"Groups like the 300 plus students in Flandreau South Dakota impressed us by their desire to improve their fitness," commented ARA Executive Director Dave Watt. "In their own way, these youths sought to break their own barrier, just as Roger Bannister accomplished on a cinder track in 1954 by breaking the 4 minute barrier."

ARA is seeking community hosts for a National Run a Mile Day event in all 50 states.

"All events are free; no entry fees will be taken," said Watt. Organizers can purchase low cost Miler t-shirts from ARA for Mile Run Day events.

"Feedback from last year's Miler events led to the three day event for 2010," added Watt. "ARA and YR will post photos and short stories from groups who produce and host a Run a Mile Day event."

PE classes in schools can choose either May 6 or May 7 and have all classes in the school participate. Running clubs or community groups can gather on Saturday, May 8 and run the mile.

Run a Mile groups will receive:
* Pre-printed Run a Mile Day certificates to hand out to all participants (up to 400 per organizer plus a PDF version)
* Opportunity to purchase discounted Mile Run Day t-shirts
* Post photos for groups on the ARA and Youth Runner websites
* 8 week Mile Training Program for youth participants
* Your stories printed in Youth Runner and on the ARA website
* Event Operations Guide to organize your own "National Run a Mile Day" event

For interested Run a Mile Day organizers, contact ARA via email at miler@americanrunning.org or call (800)-776-2732 x13 (Dave Watt).

ARA is a nonprofit organization founded in 1968 to promote healthy living and active lifestyles among all Americans. It is dedicated to supporting runners through education and specialized programs, as well as encouraging all individuals from youths to adults to run and be fit. For more information about the ARA or to learn more about the Walk and Run programs, visit: www.americanrunning.org