Don Bowden Mile

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 3, 2007

 

 

Contact: Mark Winitz

Pacific Association/USATF Communications Manager

[email protected]

 

 

Don Bowden Mile

Presented by Nike and Fleet Feet Sports Stockton

(Pacific Association/USA Track & Field Road Mile Championship)

University of Pacific, Stockton, CA

Sunday, June 3, 2007

Distance: 1 mi., certified flat double-loop road course

Finishers: Approximately 300

Weather: Sunny, low to mid 70s F

Prize Money: $2,500 plus time bonuses to top Pacific Association/USATF

individuals and teams

Race Records: Men: Jamey Harris, 4:06.41 (1996). Women: Julia Stamps,

4:43.59 (1996).

Race Director: Doug Thurston, [email protected]

 

RECAP

50 years ago, almost to the day of this year's race, Don Bowden became

the first American to break 4 minutes for the mile. While running for the

University of California-Berkeley, Don ran 3:58.7 at the University of

Pacific cinder track on June 1, 1957. The Don Bowden Mile starts and

finishes close to the original location of the track, long since torn

down. A plaque near the race finish commemorates Don's spectacular race,

set at the Pacific Association/USATF Track & Field Championship.  50

years later, Don was in attendance at the race honoring him.

 

Appropriately, former Cal-Berkeley All-American and 3:53 miler, Richie

Boulet (Oakland, CA), won a tactical open men's race in 4:18.8. Boulet,

33, waited until the final 200-meter straightaway to sprint from a

bunched front pack.

 

"There's a lot of muscle memory there from over the years," said Boulet,

who admitted he wasn't in top shape. "But, when it's close to the finish

line, I can still dig down and come up with something,"

 

Betsy Keever (San Francisco, CA) employed patience in a pack of four

women for the first three-quarters of the race before surging to a 4:54.3

open women's victory.

 

 "My plan was to stay connected until the last quarter mile, and then

kick," Keever said.  "It just felt good, so I just took off."

 

Thirteen separate divisional races were conducted.

 

TOP MEN

Open:

1. Richie Boulet, 33, Oakland, CA 4:18.8   $200

2. Sean Marzolf, 23, Lodi, CA 4:19.2   $100

3. Alex Mason, 25, Alameda, CA 4:19.9      $50

4. Tulian Marsh, 33, unknown  4:23.0

5. Todd Rose, 34, San Francisco, CA  4:25.2

 

13 & Under: Tyler Sorensen, 13, Lafayette, CA  5:18.9

14-19: Samir Benouar, 19, Sacramento, CA 4:34.3

40-49: Jeffrey Adkins, 46, Granite Bay, CA  4:38.6  $100

50-59: Tom O'Reilly, 50, Corte Madera, CA  4:55.2  $50

60-69: Fred Martin, 63, El Dorado Hiils, CA  5:32.5  $50

70-79: Irv Faria, 75, Carmichael, CA  6:45.6

80+: Sam Hirabayashi, 80, San Rafael, CA  7:30.5

Cydesdale (200+ pounds): Brent Butler, 36, unknown  5:15.6

Race Walk (19 and under): Tyler Sorensen, 19, unknown  7:37.9

Race Walk (20 and over): Pradeep Chand, 34, unknown  7:29.2

 

 

TOP WOMEN

Open:

1. Betsy Keever, 32, San Francisco, CA  4:54.3  $200

2. Bridget Duffy, 23, unknown,  5:01.4  $100

3. Elissa Riedy, 29, Oakland, CA  5:09.1  $50

4. Lindsey MacLise, 23, San Francisco, CA   5:12.7

5. Allison Kerr, 30, Vacaville, CA  5:17.0

 

13 & Under: Madeleine Ankhelyi, 12, Folsom, CA  5:38.3

14-19: Andrea Johnson, 17, Stockton, CA  5:45.6

40-49: Carla Kehoe, 43, Granite Bay, CA 5:19.0   $100

50-59: Karen Kunz, 51, Folsom, CA 6:04.5  $50

60-69: Barbara Miller, 67, Modesto, CA  6:56.4  $50

70+: Nova Poff, 70, Davis, CA  8:05.1

Racewalk (19 and under):      Nicolette Sorensen, 11, unknown  8:57.8

RacewalK (20 and over): Kelly Wong, 31, San Jose, CA  8:16.4