Regional News
Louisville Triple Crown series brings runners from the woodwork
By Tracy Harris, Running Journal columnist
(Editor's note: Tracy Harris is a new columnist for Running Journal in Kentucky. Look for her Kentucky running columns in the pages of Running Journal's monthly print edition.)
It's a typical winter weekend in Louisville, KY — gray, rainy, windy, chilly. Certainly not the conditions our fair-weather running friends prefer.
Heck, I'm not happy about it either, really.
Yet, when I arrive at Seneca Park, there's nowhere to park. I'm weaving around runners and walkers who — inexplicably — are on the road instead of the pedestrian path 10 feet away.
These masses of people were not here last week, or the week before.
Malakwen Nips Bacha at Finish of ING Miami Marathon
Maraviglia women's marathon champion; Boitt, Mariita win half-marathon; 10th edition draws sell-out 25,000 entrants
Running USA wire
By Gary Ferman, US Road Sports
Samuel Malakwen of Kenya just inched out Teferi Bacha of Ethiopia in a dramatic sprint to the finish line to win the 10th ING Miami Marathon on Sunday through the streets of Miami, Miami Beach and Coconut Grove.
The spectacular finish was the marathon equivalent of a photo finish in horse racing, with both runners literally running shoulder-to-shoulder down the finish-line chute. It was one of the closest endings in marathon history, and both runners were credited with a time of 2 hours, 16 minutes, 55 seconds.
Tidewater Striders Running Club
Almost 40 Years Old and Goin’ Strong
By Jean Phelan
President, Tidewater Striders
Founded by a handful of dedicated runners in 1972 the Tidewater Striders has provided support to the running community for almost four decades. As the club’s leadership speculates on an appropriate 40th anniversary celebration, it is looking at both accomplishments and the road ahead for the 1,600-member club.
Nashville Striders
Active club provides race management, helps community, Tom King races are in March
By Peter Pressman, President, Nashville (TN) Striders
In early 1970, there were 17 original members when the Nashville Striders Club was established with Tom King as President. This group of runners mainly met at the Downtown YMCA or at Percy Warner Park.
The Club remained pretty much low-key for the next few years, with the group adopting the name of Nashville Striders in 1975, with King as president. By late 1976, the club listing included 74 members. The year 1977 marked a major milestone, as the monthly publication, the Funrunner, was established by Larry Wallace.
RRCA: Lynchburg is Runner Friendly
Lynchburg, VA, has been designated the 2011 Outstanding Runner Friendly Community by the Road Runners Club of America.
Lynchburg has shown that it meets, and exceeds, the program’s criteria, which includes community infrastructure, civic backing, and local business support for the sport of running. Their infrastructure fosters physical activity in a safe environment; a proven track record that organizations and businesses work together to promote running as a healthy exercise and sport; and they create and maintain positive relationships between the running community and local government.
“Lynchburg is a shining example of the positive benefits running can bring to a community when everyone is on the same page,” said RRCA Executive Director Jean Knaack. “While we are proud of all of our Runner Friendly Communities, we feel Lynchburg has provided a blueprint for future communities.”
On the Run: Shoe Advice from a Veteran Runner
By DINK TAYLOR, Owner, Fleet Feet Sports, Huntsville, Alabama
http://www.FleetFeetHuntsville.com
It seems there is not a day that goes by, at some point, the topic of “injury” is brought to my attention. Someone comes into Fleet Feet with a problem, I get emails or it is just the topic of conversation on the run. I believe the word injury is the most hated word in the running world, maybe even in all sports.
While we could talk all day about injuries and which ones we have had, I want to talk about ways to prevent them. I have had just about every ache and pain in the book and, up until now, I have never missed a day of running due to injury. I have been accused of being “a freak of nature” but I like to think I have been given some pretty good genes and have made some wise choices over the years while on the run. I believe I could write all day on injury prevention but today I am going to just talk about my top three ways to prevent injuries.
2012 AJC Peachtree Road Race Registration Lottery Opens March 15
The Atlanta Track Club, organizer of the AJC Peachtree Road Race which takes place each year on the Fourth of July, announced that registration for the 2012 event will open on Thursday, March 15 through an online lottery at www.ajc.com/peachtree. The Atlanta Track Club first introduced the registration lottery for Peachtree in 2011 as a way to establish a fair registration process for all entrants. Those wishing to be one of the 60,000 participants selected for the 43rd running of the AJC Peachtree Road Race can register for the lottery online at ajc.com/peachtree from 7 a.m. on Thursday, March 15, 2012, to 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, March 22, 2012. Regardless of the day or time one enters, all individuals and groups who enter the lottery will have an equal chance of being selected for the 2012 AJC Peachtree Road Race. Entrants will be randomly selected after the lottery closes on March 22. All lottery entrants will receive an email by Monday, March 26, 2012 informing them of whether or not they were selected for the 2012 event. Searchable results of the selection process will also be posted on www.peachtreeroadrace.org and www.ajc.com/peachtree on March 26.
ING Miami Marathon, American Airlines Launch Race of the Americas Challenge
25,000 runners expected for 10th edition on Sunday, January 29
Running USA wire
The ING Miami Marathon and Half-Marathon® is quickly gaining fame worldwide, particularly in Latin America and the Caribbean, with its International appeal leading to a surge in entries that will likely result in a field cap and sellout of 25,000 runners at this year's event set for Sunday, January 29.
At the 10th edition, nearly 20 percent of those runners will come from outside the United States, with more than 64 countries already represented among the early entrants.
In response to the great International numbers, the ING Miami Marathon and Half-Marathon® has partnered with American Airlines to launch the Race of the Americas Challenge.
The top male and female runner in the marathon for each of the designated regions of the Americas will receive a special prize.
Keflezighi; Flanagan win U.S. Olympic Team Trials Marathon
USA Track & Field
HOUSTON - Two of the fastest races in Olympic Marathon Trials history took place on the same day Saturday in Houston as the six men and women who will represent Team USA in London earned their way on the squad. Shalane Flanagan set an Olympic Trials record of 2:25:38 in only her second marathon, while Meb Keflezighi earned his third Olympic berth by winning the Trials in a personal best time of 2:09:08. Flanagan led a Trials record five women under 2:30 while Meb led four men under 2:10 for the first time in Trials history.
Men
Keflezighi’s performance (Mammoth Lakes, Calif) came only 69 days after his last marathon, where he also ran a then personal best time of 2:09:13 to place sixth at the 2011 ING New York City Marathon. The 2009 ING New York City Marathon winner and 2004 Olympic silver medalist became the first man to win both the U.S. Olympic Trials and the New York City Marathon in his career. At nearly 37 years old, he is the oldest man to win the Olympic Marathon Trials.
Costa, High Win 19th Walt Disney World Marathon
Brazilian runner wins second straight Disney Marathon after fierce battle with perennial winner Adriano Bastos; Virginia Beach's Renee High easily takes women's title; field of more than 16,500 pushes weekend total to event record 56,000 runners
Running USA wire
From Bob Hitchcock, runDisney
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Brazilian runner Fredison Costa did it again, holding off his heavily-favored countryman Adriano Bastos on Sunday to win his second straight Walt Disney World Marathon.
At the 19th edition, Costa, 34, waged a fierce battle with the 7-time champion Bastos, 33, throughout the 26.2 mile race through Disney's four theme parks - Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios - before pulling away at the end. Costa crossed the finish line in 2 hours, 19 minutes, 1 second - just 14 seconds ahead of Bastos (2:19:15), who had won six Disney Marathons in a row before Costa's back-to-back feat.
Star City Striders
The 23rd annual run, walk, hike up Mill Mountain at Roanoke, VA, had 130 people participate for the New Year. The event is hosted by
the Star City Striders. Mild weather greeted participants for the 1,000-foot climb over a distance of just over six miles. "No timers, medals or awards. Just fun and camaraderie," said Karen Dillon of the Star City Striders, who submitted the photo and wished everyone a
Happy New Year!
ING Miami Marathon Celebrates with Unique Commemorative Medal
Running USA wire
Celebrity artist Stephen Gamson designs one-of-a-kind medal for 10th edition; event record 25,000 entrants expected
The ING Miami Marathon and Half-Marathon® will celebrate its 10th edition on Sunday, January 29, 2012 by presenting finishers with a unique commemorative medal that weighs 8.1 ounces and comes with a ribbon designed by celebrity artist Stephen Gamson.
To get an idea of the medal's size and weight, the first ING Miami Marathon medal weighed 1.3 ounces 10 years ago. This medal is more than six times the weight.
Many of the event record 25,000 runners who will participate in the ING Miami Marathon and Half-Marathon® are collectors of the medals through the years. Miami has been known to have the one of the hottest participant medals in the running industry. Over the event's decade-long history, the medal has been innovated to include 3-D palm trees, double spinners and even the inclusion of a one-carat diamond.
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Here’s to a great year of running in 2012! We’ve been serving running in the South since 1984, beginning as Carolina Runner. We purchased Running in Georgia and Racing South, which started in 1976, and became Running Journal.
We cover running information, including our constantly updated calendar, in all three publications, thus you are consistently updated with published information on our website, in our print magazine, and in our email newsletter. You need all three to have the most complete information as new information is updated in each – and many stories are unique to each.
Gutsy performance at Jacksonville Bank Marathon, Mackley prevails over foot injury
By Bryan Graydon
President, Lakeland Runners Club
The Dec. 18 Jacksonville Bank Marathon in Jacksonville, FL, was recently featured in Runner’s World Magazine as a great race for those looking for a fast time. Scott Mackley was looking for just such a race for his debut marathon and that is exactly what he got as he was the overall winner in a time of 2:31:47.
Scott went out at his pace as the blazing fast athletes running the half-marathon from the Zap Elite team took off like a shot from a gun. He settled into is his rhythm and began clicking off the miles. I have coached Scott throughout 2011 so I rode my bike along the course with him and it was amazing how relaxed he was as he ran alone for nearly the entire race. .
The 10 Best Moments for U.S. Distance Running in 2011
Another year of medals, records and top performances
By Ryan Lamppa, Running USA wire
Every year since 2000, the year of U.S. distance running's nadir, it has been more and more difficult to earn a spot in the Top 10 Moments of the Year. A performance that 5-7 years ago warranted a Top 10 rank now merits honorable mention, and 2011 was collectively one of the deepest years yet as U.S. distance runners continued their ladder of success with more World Championship medals, broken records and top performances on the track, roads and turf and in the mountains.
The impressive 2011 performances by U.S. distance runners should serve as a springboard for the 2012 Olympic Games in London, and Team USA will likely have several true medal contenders at nearly every distance event and no distance medal(s) or near medals in London would be a surprise and a disappointment.
Holiday Treats: Indulge Today, Run Tomorrow
By Teri Saylor
It is holiday time, and some things just naturally go together.
Trees and lights.
Fireplaces and stockings.
Santa and Claus.
Stores and spending.
Eating and eating.
Before the first summer leaves become tinged with color, the bright deal buster ads begin appearing everywhere.
And they’re just getting warmed up.
Television magazine shows feature holiday entertaining guides and sugar-pushing recipes.
Be gone carrots and celery!
Make room for cocktails and cookies.
Flanagan Sets State Record at Dodge Latin Music Miami Beach 1/2 Marathon
Bairu men's winner at inaugural running; finish line on the sand ends with post-race concert by chart-topping Miami rapper Pitbull
Running USA wire
By Dan Cruz, Competitor Group
Olympic bronze medalist Shalane Flanagan ran 1 hour, 9 minutes and 58 seconds to set a new Florida state record and clocked the fastest women's record standard half-marathon time in 2011 for an American under warm, breezy conditions at the inaugural Dodge Latin Music Miami Beach 1/2 Marathon benefiting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, held on Dec. 11 in Miami Beach FL.
Flanagan, 30, the bronze medalist at the 2011 IAAF World Cross Country Championships, came to Miami Beach with her Oregon Track Club teammates to prepare for next month's U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials in Houston. With no regard for the competition or the conditions, Flanagan ran a 5:05 opening mile to distance herself from the rest of the field, eventually finishing fourth overall.
News & Notes from the USA Track & Field Annual Meeting
Courtesy American Track & Field
ST. LOUIS – The 33rd edition of the USA Track & Field Annual Meeting came to a close Sunday at the Hyatt Regency in St. Louis with the Closing Session. Approximately 1,000 volunteers, officials, athletes, coaches and supporters of the sport were involved with the Annual Meeting.
The Closing Session featured site announcements for upcoming national championships and finalized business from the week’s meeting. It was the second time the Annual Meeting had been held in St. Louis as it was also there in 1994.
Traditionally being held the week following Thanksgiving, the 2012 Annual Meeting will be held in Daytona Beach, Fla.; 2013 in Indianapolis, Ind.; 2014 in Anaheim, Calif.; 2015 in Houston, Tex.; and 2016 in Orlando, Fla.
Long Distance Running, Race Walking expands competition rules
The Annual Meeting led to a resolution to expand competition rules for LDR and Race Walking as it pertains to select U.S. citizens.
Daniel Kirwa Wins 35th annual Rocket City Marathon
Daniel Kirwa, 24, of Searcy, AR, led the field in the 35th annual Rocket City Marathon on Dec. 10. Kirwa crossed the line in 2:20:05 with Fernando Babada, 29, of Boulder, CO, taking second in 2:22:56. Alan Horton, 31, of Knoxville, TN, was third in 2:27:49.
On the women’s side, 48-year-old Jen Hitchings of Sacramento, CA, took the win, running 2:51:27. Christina Johnston, 31, of Xenia, OH, was second in 2:56:14, with Deanna Newman, 41, of Birmingham, AL, third in 2:56:52. Last year’s women’s champion, Candace Jacobs, 31, of Huntsville was fourth, running 2:57:16.
River Region Runners club serves Montgomery, AL, Area
By Kym Klass
River Region Runners
It was a small article in a local newspaper in the early 1970s – three men reaching out to the community to form a running club. The goal was to promote physical fitness and sponsor a handful of races under the name Montgomery Track Club.
It worked.
Almost 40 years later, that track club is now the River Region Runners (R3), a 300-member organization that this year helped organize 28 races – almost every other weekend – and most recently was selected to host the Road Runners of America’s (RRCA) Southern Region 5K with its Labor Day 5K Run.
A lot happened in four decades. There are a lot of different stories of the beginning, middle, and even now. After an April 26, 1972 news clipping in the Montgomery Advertiser, in which the group of three men – John D. Cates, Gordon Persons Jr. and Bob Richard – called out for runners, the club grew to 25 members within the first two months, and they voted to call the club the Capital City Pacers. They quickly began holding track meets of one-, two- and four-mile races.
