PAUSATF News

LDR Awards Banquet, February 27, 2005
(posted 01/24/2005)
Mark your calendars and get your team members together for the LDR Awards Banquet! This event is sponsored by: American River 50 Mile Endurance Run, Miwok 100k Ohlone 50k Wilderness Run, Marine Headlands 50k, & Skyline 50k This year's awards banquet is a Sunday luncheon to allow runners from all around Northern California & Nevada to attend and be back in time for work on Monday. Furthermore, we wanted to provide you with the opportunity to explore new running grounds in the Livermore region, to go golfing, or to taste various wines of the Livermore Valley. WHEN Sunday, February 27th, 2005 from 12-noon to appr. 3 pm WHERE Wente Vineyards in beautiful Livermore Wine Valley - east of the East Bay, surrounded by miles of running trail (Sunol, DeValle, and Sycamore Regional Parks), Wente Golf Course, & Livermore Valley Wine Trail with its numerous Wineries to taste from WHO Come & celebrate with your very own celebreties - the 2004 LDR Grand Prix Winners, Runners of the Year, & Volunteer of the Year Bring your family and make it a fun-filled day for all Casual-dressy attire WHAT Awards Luncheon - 3-course sit-down lunch (chicken or vegan-pasta, incl. H20 & iced tea) catered by Wente's award-winning restaurant - no-host bar (Wente wines, beer, & soda) - Program moderated by Greg Soderlund, Western States 100 Mile RD - interesting speakers are being contacted right now ;-) - awards presentation COST $30/Person $20 for children under 12 (salad, pizza, dessert) HOW do you make sure to be part of this great event? - RSVP by Feb. 17, 2005 using the form posted at: Skyline50k The seating is limited to 150, and we have to report the final number by Feb.19, 2005 - e.g., please, make sure to register early.

USATF Club Nationals, Portland, Dec 4
(posted 12/14/2004)
Pacific Association runners did very well at the Club Nationals in Portland on Saturday, December 4th. There will be an article in the March-April issue of CTRN. Below is an eGroup message from one of the participants. Here is a link to the complete results: National Club Championships Here also is a link to the pictures that were taken of individuals at the PA Championships in GG Park Nov 21: skipix.com

The PA was well represented at Team Club Nationals this past weekend. The glaring absence was out of all the strong Senior and Super-Senior Etc. clubs, only Excelsior was able to muster a team comprised of over-50-runner's. (Tom K. raced for the Ags and the Fleet Feet team used seniors for several places in the 40-49 Master Division. Results Open Men Farm Team a strong first followed closely by the Aggies impressive squad in third. Transport Addidas represented two top-20ish teams at 7th and 21st, followed by WVTC at 28th and Empire in 38th. The conditions were epicly muddy and deteriorating rapidly as the day progressed. 41 total teams. Master Men Excelsior was beat by the Lo Cal (All-Stars) Team Runners High by just over 2:00 for second, the Aggies were third; our injury depleted team was 16th (15th if they had used me in place of our 5th runner) Fleet Feet was 17th with the afore-mentioned Senior laced team. 18 total teams. Open Women Farm Team was narrowly beaten by See Jane Run (0:03.72) four seconds!, with the Aggie girls in at 7th; The Impalas scored two teams in 9th and 23rd, followed by WVTC at 20th and Fleet Feet Sac at 22nd. 23 total teams. Master Women Impalas were 4th in a deep race, followed by the Fleet Feet women in 7th of 9 teams scoring. Seniors Excelsior was narrowly pushed to 2nd of 5 by a strong team out of Boulder, 40 seconds or so. The Boulder club resembles the Tamalpa club, or local to Sac the Buffalo Chips, in that they seem to get more competitive in the older age divisions. A unique note, I hail from an IIAC school (Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) which boasted 1st Open Woman and 5th Open Man (Wartburg College out of Waverly Iowa, Go Nights! The guy is two time NCAA Division III Champion, not sure about his fairer colleague. These two athletes are Melissa Buttry and Josh Moen.

Coaching Legend Lydiard Dies at 87
(posted 12/13/2004)
Link to news article The clinic mentioned below has been cancelled. However a free remembrance will take place, same date and time, with video clips and discussions about Lydiard's life. Lorraine Moller and Dr. Dick Brown will also be speaking.

Arthur Lydiard to speak in SF, Dec. 19th
(posted 12/09/2004)
Arthur Lydiard Sunday, December 19, 2004 San Francisco State University Seven Hills Conference Center at 2:00pm For More Information on the Arthur Lydiard tour, contact Nobby Hashizume at: [email protected] Link to Flyer

Points correction for Christmas Relays
(posted 11/20/2004)
The Christmas Relays, December 12, were mistakenly posted in the Schedule as a 2.0 point race. It was agreed when the schedule was approved that the Relays would be a 1.0 race if it remained on a date one week after the Marathon. The Schedule has been updated. Course changed for Cross Country Championships
(posted 11/16/2004)
Dear Cross Country friends, Here is the revised course map for this Sunday's Pacific Association Cross Country Championships. The start is basically moved west about a quarter of a mile, to start not in Lindley Meadow, but in the Polo Fields. Due to an error by SF Rec and Parks, Lindley Meadow was reseeded this week and can not be used for any part of our annual championships. The new course uses the basic loop we are all familiar with, the start and finish are in different places-- to the west of our usual stomping grounds. We are confident the new start and finish will result in a great race, like usual. Start-- on the Polo Fields at the extreme west end. Enter through the north tunnel, registration and packet pickup will be immediately to the north of the tunnel. Park nearer Spreckle's Lake and where 36th Avenue comes into the park than the usual site at Lindley Meadow and where 30th Avenue comes into GG Park and meets Kennedy Drive. Go into the road that goes into the stables, but instead of going right to the police stables and the vacant public stables, keep left on the road--it seems more like straight ahead--and go back a hundred yards or so to the tunnel. Finish-- it's on the dirt trotting track behind the north bleachers. On the last lap you come from behind the trail behind the bushes along the north side of the polo fields and sprint like mad for 100 meters to the finish. End of the chute is pretty close to being over the tunnel, you are running west to east. Basic loop- most of it is very familiar to long time runners on the course. Changes from last year: instead of going into Lindley Meadow on the grass, you stay up on the dirt path along Kennedy Drive the length of the meadow. Instead of running from west to east on the dirt trotting track after going up the steep hill at the west end of the polo fields (and jumping over a log at the top of the hill), we will turn before the log and run outside the trees along the west and north parks of the polo fields. This is what we did to avoid the Dave Mathews band excitement in September. We used it for years, only went to the dirt path when the horse coral near Lindley was disturbed by runners racing by...(it wasn't so funny, some kids were bucked off during an overly enthusiastic HS race, it wasn't us). You can make it easier for race administration by registering online at www.active.com We welcome race day reg ($20, cash or check), but with the changes required for the altered course, online reg would be appreciated. Online registration has been extended at the $15 price to November 18th, this Thursday evening at midnight. See you at the races, Tim Wason, SF Running & Walking Race Director for the PAUSATF XC Championships Sunday, November 21, 2004

2004 USATF Western Regional Cross Country Championships.
(posted 11/16/2004)
The race will be held at Fairview Park in Costa Mesa, very close to the
John Wayne, Orange County Airport (SNA). Adult (though all ages are welcome)
Cross Country runners are invited. We will also score this meet by Association,
so your Association is obviously one of the eligible teams, probably the one best
qualified to unseat our home field advantage.

www.trackinfo.org/wrxc

Pre-registration is also available on active.com

Andrew Hecker Southern California Masters T&F Chairman and Cross Country Coordinator

Team USAMB's Carney Fourth at U.S.10K Champs
(posted 11/6/2004)
Team USA at Monterey Bay news Release

Crystal Springs XC Meet 1.0 Race
(posted 10/21/2004)
The Crystal Springs XC Race, Nov 13, was voted back to a 1.0 race at the LDR Meeting at Humboldt. It was orginally scheduled as a 1.0 race, and changed to a 1.5 race after the season began. It was set as an agenda item at the meeting after protests were lodged.

John Lawson Tamalpa XC meet, Oct 30
(posted 10/17/2004)
Further information on the meet

LDR Meeting 10/16 at Humboldt
(posted 10/12/2004)
Meeting Location and Agenda

FEMALE ATHLETES BARE ALL
TO SUPPORT TEAM USA MONTEREY BAY
(posted 10/06/2004)
2005 Wall Calendar Ready for Release October 12 MONTEREY, Calif. - (October 6, 2004) - The 2005 wall calendar "Strength and Grace: Monterey Bay Women Athletes" is not for the faint of heart. The calendar, however, is for anyone who appreciates the elegance and beauty of the athletic human form. "Strength and Grace: Monterey Bay Women Athletes" will be officially released on Tuesday, October 12 in Carmel, CA (see media advisory below) as a fundraising project for the Team USA Monterey Bay Distance Running Training Center at California State University, Monterey Bay. The calendar, which has a retail value of $20, is offered as a complimentary gift for Team USA Monterey Bay supporters who make a minimum tax-deductible donation of $25 to the non-profit organization. All donations are used to directly support Team USA Monterey Bay's mission to develop U.S. stars in the sport of long distance running and to provide athlete role models in the general community who promote physical fitness and healthy lifestyles. The 2005 wall calendar contains photos of 13 local female athletes, ages 20 to 60, who posed "au naturelle" for photographer Helen MacKinlay's camera in support of Team USA Monterey Bay. The black and white images emphasize the beauty of line and form of the athletes who remain anonymous in the calendar. The project is MacKinlay's follow-up work to her 2004 calendar, "The Full Monterey: Sexagenarian Male Athletes," which contains photos of male athletes age 60 and over. The 2004 version brought in over $4,000 in donations for the running center. MacKinlay's husband, Rod MacKinlay, who sits on Team USA Monterey Bay's Board of Directors, helped produce both calendars. The unveiling of the 2005 calendar is part of Team USA Monterey Bay's fall fundraising drive during which the charity organization hopes to raise $25,000, almost a quarter of its annual operating budget. The center in Monterey at CSUMB, which currently supports five full-time resident athletes, is affiliated with USA Track & Field (the sport's national federation), but depends upon funding from individual and corporate donors and sponsors. It is one of six similar long distance training centers for American elite and emerging elite distance runners around the country. In variations of the skin-revealing theme popularized by the English housewives depicted in the popular film Calendar Girls, elite female high jumpers and pole vaulters have uncovered themselves for wall calendars promoting their causes. The women featured in "Strength and Grace: Monterey Bay Women Athletes," however, are not professional, full-time athletes. They are everyday recreational sports participants and fitness enthusiasts--runners, walkers, cyclists, and swimmers--who find satisfaction, purpose, and a joyful spirit inside a sound body. "I work out daily and believe in the importance of physical fitness," said Jiraphon Garrard of Monterey who is one of the calendar models. "Posing for the calendar gives me an opportunity to support and help promote Team USA Monterey Bay's athletes and the kids running programs they're involved with in local schools." Said photographer MacKinlay, "I believe strongly in physical fitness, and, as a photographer, I appreciate the sensual energy of the body's line and form which I try to capture in my work." MacKinlay has photographed the human figure for 20 years. She has exhibitions and credits in many cities worldwide, and has published a book of nude images in black and white. Individuals may obtain the 2005 calendar by making a donation of $25 or more using the downloadable donation form on Team USA Monterey Bay's web site at csumb.edu/teamusa. Donors may deduct the portion of their contribution above the $20 value of the calendar (always consult your tax advisor). Calendar enthusiasts can also obtain copies, personally signed by the models and photographer, at the official calendar launch on October 12 (see details below). Team USA Monterey Bay's athletes will also be present at the launch where Bob Sevene, the team's head coach, will present roses to each of the calendar models. In addition, the calendar will be available after the official launch at the following locations: Big Sur Half Marathon Expo, (October 16, Monterey Convention Center), The Treadmill (Carmel Crossroads Shopping Center), Carmel Crimpers (Su Vecino, Carmel), Fleet Feet (Monterey, Del Monte Shopping Center), and Phrasemaker Word Processing/Resume Services (Main Street, Los Altos). -- SEE MEDIA ADVISORY BELOW -- # # # MEDIA ADVISORY TEAM USA MONTEREY BAY At California State University, Monterey Bay October 6, 2004 Contact: Mark Winitz Tel: (650) 948-0618 Fax: (650) 949-2172 [email protected] Official Launch - 2005 Wall Calendar "Strength and Grace: Monterey Bay Women Athletes" and Announcement of Fall 2004 Fundraising Drive A project that benefits Team USA Monterey Bay at California State University, Monterey Bay, a nonprofit public benefit organization... Tuesday, October 12, 2004 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Location: Patisserie Boissiere Cafe & Restaurant Carmel Plaza (Mission Street between Ocean and 7th) Carmel, CA Meet the calendar models, calendar photographer/producer Helen MacKinlay, Team USA Monterey Bay's head coach Bob Sevene, plus highly ranked U.S. marathoner Blake Russell, (just returned from the Chicago Marathon), and U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials participants Ryan Bak and James Carney. Beverages and hors d'oeuvres will be served. The public is invited. Suggested Donation: $5.00 (for entry) Media: Please confirm attendance via Mark Winitz, Tel: 650-948-0618 or E-Mail: [email protected] ************* Team USA Monterey Bay, Inc. a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public benefit organization, operates a year-round training center at California State University, Monterey Bay to develop, support, and promote U.S. distance runners capable of winning medals in Olympic and World Championship competition. The organization is also committed to creating role models for the general community who promote physical fitness and a positive and productive lifestyle for people of all ages. On the Web: csumb.edu/teamusa

Heritage Oaks Bank 10K Report

(posted 9/27/2004)
Simonaitis, Lagunas Win USA Masters Titles at Heritage Oaks Bank 10K By Mark Winitz, Running USA wire PASO ROBLES, Calif. - (Sept. 26, 2004) - On December 22, 2003 earthquake waves rolled through Paso Robles, a thriving community that sprang up in the 1880s exactly halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles. The 6.5 quake on the Richter Scale destroyed 82 historic buildings and killed two people in the downtown square where the town's annual Heritage Oaks Banks Fun Day road races start and finish. On Sunday morning, waves of runners soothed painful memories and celebrated a dramatic revitalization of Paso Robles by filling its streets for road races that included the USA Masters 10K Championship. Dennis Simonaitis, 42, of Draper, UT emerged as the U.S. master men's 10K champion, negotiating the flat and fast two loop course in 30 minutes and 24 seconds. Rosemarie Lagunas, 42, of San Jose, CA captured the women's title in 36:19. Both scored convincing victories, trouncing their respective fields. Simonaitis used perfect racing conditions in the low 50s to avenge last year's second-place performance to rival Eddy Hellebuyck. Brian Pope, 41, of Oxford, MS placed second, well behind Simonaitis in 30:47. Hellebuyck, 43, of Albuquerque, NM was third, over two minutes slower than his national masters record of 29:05 set in this race in 2003. Hellebuyck, who holds multiple U.S. masters records, competed despite an out-of-competition positive drug test for erythropoietin (EPO) last January that he is contesting. Taking an early lead, Simonaitis fronted a large pack that whittled to about six contenders by the 5K, hit in 15:21. His lead was tenuous, however, since one shoe became untied two miles into the race. "That's never happened to me before," said Simonaitis about the misstep, "So I was running a little gingerly. But otherwise I felt good. I wanted to push it a little bit through halfway and not leave it to the end. Some of those guys have good kicks. I felt in control pretty much all the way through." Indeed, Simonaitis gradually increased the tempo over the last several miles, leaving his contenders far in his wake. He improved his time by almost 30 seconds over the 2003 race, which was also run in ideal conditions. Said Hellebuyck: "This was my first race in eight months, so I'm trying to get the intensity back. I've been training, but it's not the same as racing. I hope to get this [drug] situation behind me and start focusing on racing again." For Lagunas, the masters women's victory came a bit as a surprise. Although she qualified for the 2000 U.S. Women's Olympic Marathon Trials, and has been competing since she was 14-years-old, she rarely appears on the roads. This fall, Lagunas is concentrating on cross country races. "I haven't run a 10K in a million years, and I didn't know if I was going to die," admitted Lagunas, who led the entire race. "I thought just let's wait and see what happens. But then I still felt really good after the first loop, and thought that it was a good sign. I said 'Let's just pick it up at mile four and see what happens.'" That strategy left long-time standout marathoner Maria Trujillo de Rios and Sarah Kramer to contend for runner-up spots. Kramer, 44, of Ogden, UT overtook De Rios, 44, of Los Gatos, CA in the second mile and proceeded to a second place finish of 36:54. De Rios was third in 37:22. 53-year-old Kathryn Martin (Northport, NY) ran a superb 37:32 which gave her the top female age-graded performance (a 32:23 age-adjusted time). Antoni Niemczak, (48, Albuquerque, NM), competing in his first race in several years, notched the best men's age-graded mark. His fourth-place 31:09 finish converted to a 28:24 age-adjusted time. In the separate California 10K Championship race for competitors under 40 years old, Kenyans Eric Chirchir and Wilson Kigen crossed the finish in a virtual tie. Chirchir was awarded the victory by USATF finish line judges. Both men were timed in 29:18. Ethiopia's Atalelech Ketema successfully defended her women's title in an unchallenged 33:39. Christian Hesch (7th, 30:04, Morro Bay) and Megan Daly (2nd, 35:06, Palo Alto) were the first California finishers and were also crowned Pacific Association/USATF Open 10K Champions. Heritage Oaks Bank awarded $56,000 in prize earnings of which over half is devoted to masters runners, and $8,000 to the accompanying Pacific Association/USATF Championship. All proceeds generated from the event's entry fees are distributed to local non-profit organizations. Through 2003, these donations totaled nearly $70,000. Heritage Oaks Bank 10K: USA Masters Championship Paso Robles, CA, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2004 MASTERS MEN 1) Dennis Simonaitis, 44, UT 30:24 2) Brian Pope, 41, MS 30:47 3) Eddy Hellebuyck, 43, NM 31:07 4) Antoni Niemczak, 48, NM 31:09 5) Dan Nelson, 40, CA 31:11 45-49 1) Niemczak (see above) 50-54 1) Gary Romesser, 53, IN 33:26 55-59 1) Dave Dooley, 57, CO 36:16 60-64 1) Byron Melendy, 64, CA 38:51 65-69 1) Thom Weddle, 66, MN 40:45 70-74 1) Glynn Wood, 70, CA 54:07 75-79 1) Sam Hirabayashi, 77, CA 51:31 80-plus 1) Stanley Coombs, 81, CA 58:03 MASTERS WOMEN 1) Rosemarie Lagunas, 42, CA 36:19 2) Sarah Kramer, 44, UT, 36:54 3) Maria Trujillo de Rios, 44, CA 37:22 4) Kathryn Martin, 52, NY 37:32 5) Kelly Keeler, 42, MN 38:06 50-54 1) Martin (see above) 55-59 1) Gloria Jansen, 57, MN 43:32 60-64 1) Shirley Matson, 63, CA 43:02 65-69 1) Barbara Miller, 65, CA 43:57 70-74 1) Barbara Robben, 70, CA 58:00 75-79 1) Elizabeth Baker, 79, CA 1:38:45 For complete results, go to: www.hobfunrun.com

CTRN deadline for submission is September 20

(posted 9/13/2004)
Hello! Just a note to remind you that it's CTRN deadline time again. Our next issue is the November/December issue and the DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION IS September 20, 2004. Please contact me and/or make your submissions via email at [email protected] and include CTRN in the subject line. Should you wish to contact me via phone, my number is 608-239-3787. I have a fax at my office but please call first to arrange it as I share it with my voice mail and they're not compatible. If, after submission, you find that you need to update your contribution, please send the information in a note detailing the correction or, if the corrections are more extensive, please re-send the piece making sure that REV (for "revised") appears in the file name. This ensures that the correct version gets into the magazine and saves me lots of time comparing the versions. California Track & Running News is a USATF Regional Association member magazine for the California and Northern Nevada associations and we welcome contributions of jpegs (photos), stories, and story ideas as well as informational updates from the Pacific, Central Cal, Southern Cal and San Diego/Imperial associations of USATF. Thanks very much, Christine Johnson Group & Coordinating Editor/CTRN 608-239-3787 [email protected]

Movie on US elite distance runners coming out

(posted 9/8/2004)
September 8, 2004

Five Thousand Meters: Nothing Comes Easy heads into post-production

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (September 8, 2004)- Fans of American distance running will soon get to know their heroes a little better. Negative Split Pictures (NSP) is proud to announce that their first feature film, Five Thousand Meters: Nothing Comes Easy has entered post-production. The first film of its kind, Five Thousand Meters: Nothing Comes Easy follows the top 5k runners in the country as they prepare for the Olympic Trials and their shot at the Olympic team. The all-star cast of runners includes Tim Broe, Jonathon Riley, Bolota Asmerom, Matt Lane, and Mark Menefee - the top five runners at the Olympic Trials in July. Also featured are Adam Goucher, Jorge Torres, Ryan Bak, and Dathan Ritzenhein. "The mix of athletes in the project is what makes it great," said director Brennan Galloway. "You have some runners just hoping to make it to the Trials, some runners who are there to win, some runners really struggling with injuries and the mental aspect of running. Together they do a good job of really showing what running on the elite level in America is all about." From the Mt. Sac Invitational in April through the Olympic Trials in July, Five Thousand Meters: Nothing Comes Easy chronicles the hard work, injuries, doubts, breakthroughs, and success of the runners. Shot on location with the Nike Farm Team, Team USA Monterey Bay, the Hansons-Brooks Distance Project, Mark Wetmore's training group in Boulder, and Ron Warhurst's runners in Ann Arbor, the film covers the hotspots of American distance running. "We were really fortunate that we were able to feature the athletes that we wanted," said Carl Leivers, the producer behind the film. "All of the top 5k guys in the country are in the film which makes it more about the race to make the team than about any particular runner." The film is more than simply a video training log, however. Thanks to unprecedented access to the athletes and coaches, Five Thousand Meters: Nothing Comes Easy will take the viewer inside the lives of those struggling to make the Olympic Team. In-depth interviews with the runners and their coaches make the film a personal chronicle of the Olympic dream and of finding the limits of personal performance. "I think this really fills a need in the running community," said Galloway. "There just isn't much coverage of American distance running and people really don't know much about these runners as people. I think this film will let them get closer than ever before." Five Thousand Meters: Nothing Comes Easy is scheduled for a Fall 2004 release.

Saturday's XC Meet at UCSC: Reminders

(posted 8/25/2004)
While the course is the same as last year, the race is being staged (reg, bathrooms, awards, etc) in the parking lot next to the UCSC firestation on Chinquapin Rd. The previous years the race was staged at the Fieldhouse next to the swimming Pool. The Directions posted on the PA website include this information. Here is a link to maps of the UCSC campus

New XC Course at Folsom nearing completion

(posted 8/24/2004)
A new XC course that will be used by Youth, High School, and Grand Prix XC teams is currently being set up at Willow Hill near Folsom High School. Here is a map (in pdf format) of the 3K and 5K courses. 2k and 4K courses for Youth, and a 4 Mile and 8K course for the Grand Prix race, will be posted when ready. Directions to Willow Hill XC Course, Folsom, CA: 1) Take Hwy 50 East out of Sacramento 2) Once near Folsom, take the Prairie City Rd. exit. It is after the Folsom Blvd. exit. 3) Go back across Hwy 50 north on Prairie City Rd. 4) Take the first right turn onto Iron Point Rd. 5) Take the next right at Folsom HS and stay to the left to go to the Willow Hill XC Course parking area.

2004 Paso Robles 10K Info

(posted 7/7/2004)
Heritage Banks Director gives rundown

Olympic Trials TV Schedule

(posted 6/30/2004)

The USA Network and NBC will broadcast live 14 hours of the 2004 Olympic Track and Field Trials on the following days and times. Eastern Time Pacific Time July 9 - 11:00pm - 1:00am (LIVE) USA 8:00pm - 10:00am July 10 - 8:00 - 9:00pm (LIVE) NBC 5:00pm - 6:00pm July 11 - 7:00 - 8:00pm (LIVE) NBC 4:00pm - 5:00pm July 12 - 10:00pm - 1:00am (LIVE) USA 7:00pm - 10:00pm July 15 - 10:00pm - 12:00am (LIVE) USA 7:00pm - 9:00pm July 16 - 11:00pm - 1:00am (LIVE) USA 8:00pm - 10:00pm July 17 - 5:00 - 6:00pm (LIVE) NBC 2:00pm -3:00pm July 18 - 7:00 - 9:00pm (LIVE) NBC 4:00pm - 6:00pm All times subject to change and please check local listings. For more Trials information, go to: www.usatf.org

San Francisco Chronicle Marathon Expands Cool Reputation

(posted 6/20/2004 from Running USA wire)

Contact: Mark Winitz, Media Coordinator, (650) 948-0618, [email protected] Peter Nantell, Event Producer, (415) 291-9990, [email protected] SAN FRANCISCO - (June 18, 2004) - The San Francisco Chronicle Marathon, scheduled for Sunday, August 1, will present its 27th annual running less than a month before the 2004 Olympic Games marathons. Unlike Athens, however, competitors won't tackle hot and smoggy conditions. Instead, upwards of 7,000 runners will descend on the city about which Mark Twain never actually wrote: the coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco. Regardless of the quote's source, runners from all over the world flock to the City by the Bay for the coolest mid-summer marathon in the U.S. The average starting line temperature for the race over the last five years is a perfect (for marathoners) 56 degrees Fahrenheit. The 2004 event is on track for more cool stuff that event producer Peter Nantell of West End Management hopes will help the event exceed the record 8,000 participants that turned out exactly 20 years ago in another Olympic year, 1984. To date, entries are up 50 percent from last year when a steadily climbing 5,000 participants finished the San Francisco Chronicle Marathon, associated two half marathons, 4-person marathon relay and 5-kilometer run/walk. "The race finally clicked two years ago when we changed the course," said Nantell. "Last year the race grew by about 25 percent strictly on the word of mouth. So, I think this is a natural outgrowth." In 2002, the marathon changed its course from a loop that started and finished in Golden Gate Park to a route that begins and ends at San Francisco's downtown jewel - on the historic Embarcadero within 100 yards of both Justin Herman Plaza and the recently restored Ferry Building Marketplace and Farmer's Market. Today's race participants now find a large staging area that holds a growing field, plentiful public transportation to the start where there is abundant public parking and a finish after which runners can kick back and enjoy the colorful heart of San Francisco. "Being downtown gives a lot more energy to the event, and it's convenient," said Nantell. "You don't need to be bussed out or back. You can walk to the start from your hotel. It's easy for spectators to get to. Everything associated with the event - for example, the start, finish, race expo and pasta feed - are all within easy walking distance of each other." The 26.2-mile marathon race course features many of San Francisco's scenic landmarks such as Fisherman's Wharf, Golden Gate Park and Presidio National Park; offers views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island; and takes runners along both San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean, through the Haight-Ashbury District and past baseball's SBC Park (home of the Giants) before finishing in front of the Ferry Building at the city's thriving world trade port. "Our plans for this year's marathon have exceeded our expectations," said Race Director Miranda Lindl. "The community of San Francisco and the Bay Area have become even more involved. Local running clubs, sports retailers and the general running community are providing overwhelming support." Lindl mentions that this support translates to more services and entertainment value for participants. Volunteers from national embassies and consulates dressed in traditional country attire will staff course aid stations. Music and dance groups, plus community-sponsored "Walls of Noise" will greet and motivate runners in route. Individuals not able or inclined to run a full marathon or who want to cover the full marathon at a more leisurely pace, have numerous options. Last year, the event introduced a new and unique "Choose a Half-Marathon" format, which is a popular alternative for runners aiming for the 13.1 mile half-marathon distance while choosing the portion of San Francisco they prefer to cover. The first half-marathon (0 miles to 13.1 miles) starts at 7:00 a.m. (the same time as the marathon) and follows the first portion of the Chronicle Marathon course. The second half-marathon (13.1 miles to 26.2 miles) starts at 8:45 a.m. and follows the second portion of the marathon course. Plus, for the first time, both the marathon and first half-marathon have a 5 a.m. early start option for slower runners. Thus, full course amenities for marathon runners are expanded from 5 hours to 7 hours. This allows for a full 7-hour marathon running pace time with complete course and post-event support. Additional race alternatives include the Marathon Relay which consists of 4-person relay teams that cover the entire marathon route, 5K Run/Walk and Progressive Marathon in which participants run or walk 26.2 miles incrementally over a period of weeks or months and complete the final part of their cumulative marathon by participating in the 5K Run/Walk on race day. The marathon's unique "Cause to Run" program allows participants to pledge support to any of the event's official charity organizations, raise funds and earn pledge prizes by participating in any of the running/walking events. Last year, race participants raised over $110,000 for local charities that provide valuable and much-needed services for the community. Finally, race weekend also includes the 2004 Healthy Living Expo, Friday and Saturday, July 30-31 at Justin Herman Plaza which features over 80 exhibitors, and running and fitness seminars at the nearby Hyatt Regency hotel. Complete information about the San Francisco Chronicle Marathon, including registration details and online registration for all events, is available online at www.ChronicleMarathon.com or, call the race hotline at (415) 284-9653, Email: [email protected] The 2004 Chronicle Marathon is sponsored by the San Francisco Chronicle, sfadobe.com, EnergyWell Natural Foods, KPIX Channel 5, KCBS All News 740 am, Organs 'R" Us, Clairol Natural Instincts, Chiquita, GU2O Sports Drink, GU Energy Gel, UCSF Medical Center, Hyatt Regency San Francisco, the San Francisco Municipal Railway and the Port of San Francisco.

Wednesday Night Laundry Runners Club in the News

(posted 5/25/2004, from Running USA wire) Wednesday Night Laundry Runners Club, Big Sur Marathon Award Scholarships MONTEREY, Calif. - (May 24, 2004) - The Monterey Bay Wednesday Night Laundry Runners Club (WNLR) has selected three outstanding Monterey County High School Senior Distance Runners for their college scholarship awards in 2004. Omar Mendoza of Salinas High School, Athena Pierre of Monterey High School and Jose Garcia of North Monterey County High School, will be this year's recipients. Each student will receive $1,425, which was donated by The Monterey Bay Wednesday Night Laundry Runners Club members, including $500 from the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Monterey County and a $1,500 donation from the Big Sur International Marathon organization. Runners were selected based on their running success in High School, academic achievement, leadership, love of running and extracurricular activities. Each year, the scholarship fund has increased, and over the past 4 years, approximately $11,000 has been provided to local high school distance runners. The scholarship awards will be presented on May 29th at the annual WNLR Barbeque. Olympic Trials qualifying runners from Team USA Monterey Bay will participate in the presentation. With over 200 members, the Monterey Bay Wednesday Night Laundry Runners is the largest adult running club in Monterey County. This year, the WNLR Club, the Big Sur International Marathon, Team USA Monterey Bay and CSUMB are partnering to actively promote many programs involving Health and Fitness for Monterey County youth. For more information about the scholarship fund or any other WNLR activities, contact Mike Dove at [email protected], or Sally Smith at the Big Sur International Marathon Office at [email protected] or call the marathon office at (831) 625-6226 or visit www.bsim.org Full Running Wire news release

Brittany Daniels (Tracy) and Caitlin Chock (Roseville) honored

Tuesday, June 29, 2004 INDIANAPOLIS - Brittany Daniels has been named USA Track & Field's Athlete of the Week after setting an American junior record in the women's triple jump Sunday at the 2004 USA Junior Championships in College Station, Texas. Daniels leaped 13.71 meters/44 feet, 11.75 inches in winning the USA Junior women's triple jump crown bettering the American junior record of 13.58m/44-6.75 set in 1985 by Wendy Brown of Southern California. A native of Tracy, Calif., Daniels was named the Verizon Women's Outstanding Athlete of the Meet for her achievements. Other outstanding marks at the USA Junior Champs include Caitlin Chock (Roseville, Calif.), on Saturday breaking a 25-year-old U.S. high school record and meet record in winning the women's 5,000m in 16:10.60. The mark bettered the U.S. high school record of 16:13.7 set in 1979 by Mary Shea of Raleigh, N.C. On Friday, the University of North Carolina's Nick Owens threw 71.43m/234-4 in the men's hammer throw bettering the American junior record of 67.02m/219-10 set June 23, 2003 by Michael Freeman of Manhattan College. Now in its fourth year, USATF's Athlete of the Week program is designed to recognize outstanding performers at all levels of the sport. USATF names a new honoree each week and features the athlete on the USATF website. Selections are based on top performances and results from the previous week. 2004 USATF Athlete of the Week Winners: January 13, Dan Taylor; January 20, Jen Toomey; January 27, Erin Gilreath; February 3, Jearl Miles-Clark; February 10, Alan Culpepper; February 17, Curt Clausen; February 24, Jen Toomey; March 2, Gail Devers; March 9, Allen Johnson; March 16, Sanya Richards; March 23, Phillip Dunn; March 30, Max Springer; April 6, Colleen De Reuck; April 13, Erin Gilreath; April 20, Maurice Greene; May 4, Tonette Dyer; May 11, Toby Stevenson; May 18, Sheena Johnson; May 25, Tim Seaman; June 1, Maurice Greene; June 8, Christian Cantwell; June 15, Stacy Dragila; June 22, Alan Webb; June 29, Brittany Daniels.

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