California Track & Running News

Includes the Runner’s Schedule Calendar!

CaliforniaTrack &RunningNews

Jan—March 2010

CROSS COUNTRY WRAP-UP

CHRISTINE BAYLISS (Roseville PAL Express) of the Pacific Association won the Midget Girls race at the 2009 USATF Junior Olympic Cross Country Championships in Reno.

Her time was 10:55.

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Contents

Cal Track & Running News

Kurt Abrahamson

Jan—March 2010

2010 Sky Jumpers Camps and Day Clinic Schedule Dec. 28-30, 2009 Christmas Break Camp, Atascadero, CA Jan. 2-3, 2010 Bloom HS Chicago Heights, IL Feb. 13-14, 2010 Maine South HS, Park Ridge, IL March 7, 2010 Day Clinic, Atascadero, CA March 21, 2010 Day Clinic, Atascadero, CA March 28, 2010 Day Clinic, Atascadero, CA

REGION 15 JUNIOR OLYMPIC XC ACTION IN THE BANTAM BOYS DIVISION: Evan LaDesma (#6221, San Diego SoCal RoadRunners), Justin Sherfey (#6333, Southern California Comets), and Stuart Kendall (#6087, Equalizers).

Story on page 25.

The Basics 4 5 9

From the Publisher Regional USATF Association News The Runner’s Schedule Calendar 2010 LA Marathon Special Edition

Departments 25 27 30 31

Youth/Prep News Long Distance Running Mountain-Ultra-Trail Race Walking

California Track & Running News is a magazine for members of the California and N. Nevada associations of USA Track & Field. Contact your region regarding changes of address & missing issues.

Central California Association: 661.758.5719 Pacific Association: 916.983.4715 or heikemansoor@aol.com San Diego/Imperial Association: 619.275.6542 or sdi_trackand field@sbcglobal.net Southern California: 562.859.4574 or info@scausatf.org

April 11, 2010 Day Clinic, Atascadero, CA April 18, 2010 Day Clinic, Atascadero, CA April 25, 2010 Day Clinic, Atascadero, CA May 2, 2010 Day Clinic, Atascadero, CA July 20-23, 2010 Summer Camp, Centerville HS, Ohio June 7-10, 2010 Summer Camp, UW Stevens Point, WI June 11-14, 2010 Summer Camp, Kutztown,PA July 19-22, 2010 Summer Camp, Atascadero, CA

DIRECTED BY JAN JOHNSON NATIONAL SAFETY CHAIRMAN FORMER WORLD RECORD HOLDER OLYMPIC BRONZE MEDALIST M.S. BIOMECHANICS

Sky Jumpers Vertical Sports Club 6505 Santa Cruz Atascadero CA. 93422 Phone: 1-888-279-7502 www.skyjumpers.com ja n ua ry — m a rc h 2 0 1 0 • c t & r n

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From the Publisher elcome to 2010! I am writing this in the frozen tundra of Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin after spending two weeks in nearly tropical Las Vegas. Two feet of snow and a temperature of 2º do a lot to wake one up during a long walk! As we head into this new year, I’d like to bring a few things to your attention.

As in 2009, Cal Track is now five times a year: Jan–March, April–June, July–Aug, Sept–Oct, Nov–Dec. Our website, www.caltrack.com, is updated regularly, and you can also follow us on Facebook or at www.twitter.com/caltrack. To get the global perspective on our sport, sign up for www.runblogrun.com updates and RSS feeds—it’s free! Know that your editor, Christine Johnson, and your design team, Kristen Cerer and Alex Larsen, work hard to make Cal Track work for you! You can email your ideas and suggestions to Christine at CTRNeditorial@gmail.com.

We’ve received some nice accolades for Mark Winitz’ piece on Jack Leydig that was in our November/December issue and is now on caltrack.com. Simply put, there would be no Cal Track without Jack and the Northern California running scene would also be much poorer. I first met him in 1975 at the Christmas Relays, when I was jogging too far out on the road. Over the bullhorn, he reminded me to be careful running, racing, or cooling down.

I also want to alert you to the 2010 LA Marathon Special Edition of The Runner’s Schedule Calendar in this issue, sponsored by Honda and K-Swiss. With the LA Marathon reinvented in the Southland and the new Oakland Running Festival in the North Bay, California continues to show that evolution in our sport is key for our success and survival. Our hats are off to both events and all the people who work so hard to make them successful!

Over Thanksgiving, I was able to meet with some of our key mentors: Terry Ward, athletic director at Bellarmine College Prep, and Gary, Gail, and Steve Goettlemann of Goettleman’s Ryan’s Sports.

Terry has finished coaching track & field after 40 years. Both Terry and Gary have played huge roles in what Cal Track is, and for that we thank them. The journey continues.

Please feel free to contact us. You may text me at 608.239.3785, or email me at larry.eder@gmail.com. Cal Track is only as good as you allow us to make it! Best wishes as we begin year 36 of California Track & Running News.

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CaliforniaTrack &RunningNews Volume 36, Number 1 January—March 2010 Group Publisher Larry Eder Group & Coordinating Editor Christine Johnson, CTRNeditorial@gmail.com Contributing Editors Cregg Weinmann Apparel, Footwear Reviews Dave Shrock Community Colleges Mark Winitz Northern California Kees & Sandy Tuinzing Calendar Photographers PhotoRun.NET, actionsportsimages.com, Kurt Abrahamson, brightroom.com, David Kloz, Grace Moreman, Vicky Boyd, Larry Rosa Photography, Dave Waco Association Consultants John Mansoor Pacific Don Chapin Central Skip Stolley Southern Mike Rouse San Diego/Imperial Proofreader Red Ink Editorial Services, Madison, WI Pre-Press/Printer W. D. Hoard & Sons Co., Fort Atkinson, WI

Regards,

Website Chuck Bartlett

Larry Eder

CaliforniaTrack &RunningNews

Publisher recommends, as with all fitness and health issues, you consult with your physician before instituting any changes in your fitness program.

Publisher’s Information

Let Us Hear From You!

California Track & Running News (ISDN #1098-6472), incorporating Pacific Athlete, is the official publication for the USA Track & Field associations in California and Northern Nevada. It is produced, published, and owned by Shooting Star Media, Inc., P.O. Box 67, Fort Atkinson, WI 53538.

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All ad materials and insertion orders should be sent to Shooting Star Media, Inc., at the above address.

Publisher assumes no liability for matter printed.

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Copyright © 2010 by Shooting Star Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without prior written permission of the Publisher. California Track & Running News is solely owned

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California Track & Running News welcomes your suggestions, comments, and questions. Direct them to: Christine Johnson, Group Editor Shooting Star Media, Inc./CTRN 608.239.3787 CTRNeditorial@gmail.com

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Address Changes/Missing Issues Third class mail is not forwarded! Please inform your local USATF association about address changes, duplicate mailings, or missing issues. See page 3 for how to contact your association for help.

Member of:

Advertising Production Manager Alex Larsen Counsel Philip J. Bradbury Melli Law, S.C. Madison, WI w w w. c a l t r a c k . c o m

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USATF Regional News Pacific Association President’s Message FROM IRENE HERMAN

2010 is a year of challenges for many of our members. The qualifying window for the next Olympic Trials is now officially open for the marathon. PA athletes Chris Lundy, Brook Wells, Anne Bersagel, Mary Coordt, and Lisbet Sunshine qualified by meeting the B standard (2:46 or better) at the one-day window at the Twin Cities Marathon on Oct. 4, 2009. The Boston Marathon, which hosted the Olympic Trials qualifier in 2008 the day before Patriot’s Day, has expressed interest for 2012.

The men’s window opened on Nov. 1, 2009 at the New York City Marathon, where Pacific athlete Peter Gilmore qualified.

Congratulations! Our communications chair, Cynci Calvin, will be posting a list as more PA athletes qualify.

Our LDR season starts off on March 6 with the NorCal 10-miler. Remember to renew your 2010 membership before you compete. It’s a shame to travel the distance and realize that you forgot to renew your membership. and your team won’t be able to score your efforts. In this PDA-, iPhone-, Droid-era, we have members signing up via the internet onsite. Be creative, but there’s no guarantee.

Clinics, clinics, and clinics. Please check the “hot” website for officials and coaching clinics. Most are given during the months of January and February. The LDR clubs may have a new requirement for 2011. Every club may be mandated to have a least one certified official on its team within the year. This is to ensure that our Grand Prix series and XC series have the adequate number of certified officials

PA LDR Notes FROM CYNCI CALVIN

Thank You, Pacific Association FROM PHILLIP REID 2009 PA LDR TRAVEL AWARD RECIPIENT CVS Pharmacy 5K National Championship Providence, RI; Sept. 20, 2009

with knowledge of the rules and safety. Mark Winitz, our LDR officials coordinator and the Pacific Association need more officials at our LDR events and this is the way to meet this need. Give back to the sport.

Track & field enthusiast? Be on the track or at the sector line to truly enjoy the sport. We have lots of opportunites to learn—intro to officiating, “on the track” umpiring clinics, etc.—to help you get certified. Certification provides insurance coverage for sanctioned USATF events and non-sanctioned volunteering at officiating boys and girls organizations, organized school and fund-raising events, schools from K-12, and colleges.

Youth, youth, and youth. I know it’s hard to make your mind up, but if you can only try out a club or two and then make a decision, it will save our membership department a lot of headaches and last-minute changes. We’ve seen some new clubs emerge, which is a good sign.

And clubs like Junior ASICS Aggies and the Buffalo Chips have a strong youth to adult club system. This follows our mission of grassroots from the youth to the mature. I’d like to give kudos to Don Mason of Alturas (population 2,500) for starting up a new youth club. Don, a school teacher, realized that the youth have talent and formed a USATF club. Modoc County (population 10,000) is 180 miles from Reno, where the JO Region 16 qualifier was held on Nov. 29, 2009. This is a true example of meeting the needs of the community and making it better by forming a club to provide an opportunity for young athletes to compete with other clubs in the Pacific Association. If more of you follow Don’s example, the Youth Committee would soon need some orientation sessions for new coaches and clubs! Dave Shrock, our vice president and coaches education chair is ready and willing to assist.

Remember, the JO Track & Field Championships is the last week of July in Sacramento. Give the youth an experience they won’t forget by qualifying or as a spectator in their sport. And reserve a hotel room early.

Do you want to become a coach, but don’t know where to start? Please pass this message to someone who isn’t a member, but is interested. USATF coaching schools and clinics are posted online for Level 1 Schools, Developmental Coach Clinics, and SuperClinic. This starts now. Be of value to your community growing the youth or LDR athletes with proper technique and learning appropriate developmental training effectiveness.

LDR cross-over to track & field? Try qualifying for the National Club Open Championships July 9–10 in the San Francisco Bay Area. We have posted the qualifying standards for all events for this national event. The Pacific Association is hosting this in the cooler climate of the Bay Area as opposed to the hot temperatures of Sacramento for the open athletes. Yes, July is the month when we have events and venues for every age group. Last year, this event was hosted on Randall Island, Icahn Stadium. Over 64 clubs participated and more than 500 athletes traveled to this venue.

We predict that we can increase the participation by several hundred with the inclusion of the Pacific Association. I know that we should have many teams participating. Please check the USATF website under “National Club T&F Championships 2009.” Look at last year’s results to check out the competition.

We’ll have dorm rates, huge discount hotel rates, shuttle buses, and a post-race party.

Master LDR cross-over to track & field: The National Masters Track & Field meet in Sacramento doesn’t require standards for entry.

Pacific Association LDR athletes should be working on their 5000 and 10,000 meters on the track. Come and compete against other master athletes from other states. Check out the website and let’s make a big PA presence.

Well, I hope to see many of you at the above events and venues. We have a busy 2010 calendar. Stay in the area and get all the action.

See you on the track and roads. L

This race was another good time all around.

Providence is a vibrant city full of some interesting characters. The night before the race was the elite athlete dinner where I dined with the likes of Matt Tegenkamp and Amy Yoder-Begley.

The race itself went out quite a bit slower than it did last year. I was in the back of the front pack at the first mile in 4:32. As the race progressed, I slowly moved up into the top 12 and with about 1,000 meters to go, I started picking up the pace. At 400 meters from the finish there’s a steep hill and I could see my pal Ben Bruce sneaking up behind me, so I threw into

high gear and started sprinting as fast as I could.

I ended holding him off, but I found it ironic that the two of us flew 3,000 miles across the country and still finished right next to each other. Funny how things work out.

As always, it’s an honor and a privilege to represent the ASICS Aggies and the Pacific Association in all my running endeavors. Thank you!

Note: 23-year-old Reid (San Luis Obispo) finished 10th in 14:09.6, 4:34 mile pace.

Association News continues on page 6.

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Association News continued from page 5 2009 LDR Grand Prix Finales By the time you read this, all the 2009 LDR Grand Prix standings, along with that all-important Road Racing 2010 comp entry list, will be published at pausatf.org. While you’re on the site, if you haven’t done so already, RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP! Don’t let your club down by failing to register before the early 2010 LDR Grand Prix events.

The Short Section Road Racing Grand Prix was completed following the Applied Material Silicon Valley 5K held in San Jose on Nov. 26. ASICS Aggie Phillip Reid and Impala Magdalena Visser are our 2009 short division open champions.

The Long Section Road Racing finale was the 27th Annual California International Marathon presented by Kaiser Permanente.

With the Women’s Olympic Marathon Trials qualifying window not yet fully open, this year’s “CIM” was on the PA/USATF Grand Prix circuit for teams, masters, and open men. ASICS Aggie Carlos Siqueros was the PA men’s champion, finishing 20th overall in 2:28:35. West Valley TC member Shannon Cody was the PA masters women’s champion and third in the women’s masters division with a 2:49:08 finish.

In the masters men’s division, Buffalo Chip Edward Randolph was fifth overall men’s 40–44, and top PA masters male with a personal best time of 2:42:39.

The PA’s 2009 Ultra Running Grand Prix finale was the Quad Dipsea staged on Nov. 28, 2009. Tamalpa’s Victor Ballesteros was first PA (4:15:37), second to non-PA member Chris Hauth (4:01:59). For the women, this honor went to another Tamalpan, Florencia GasconAmyx, who finished fifth woman in 5:23:29.

The PA’s 2009 XC Grand Prix is completed and scored, following the PA Cross Country Championships held Nov. 22 in Golden Gate Park. Congratulations to open champions Austin Ramos (men, adidas Transports) and Linda Somers Smith (women, ASICS Aggies). A special thank you goes to Tamalpa’s Lynn Walker, who provided superb coverage of the entire 2009 PA XC season—in-depth race reports and photos—at www.examiner.com. If you want to re-live the season, be sure to visit that site.

eral Pacific Association and SoCal clubs were out to check their form prior to the big meet.

Arroyo Grande–based attorney Linda Somers Smith culminated an extraordinary cross country season with a dominant women’s victory. Former Cal-Poly SLO standout Phillip Reid, also on a tear in ’09, landed the men’s title. Both runners led their ASICS Aggies Running Club to open team titles.

After the first circuit of the two-loop women’s 4-mile course, Somers Smith led by 150 meters over 2008 PA Cross Country champion Kara June. The front runners remained spread to the finish with Somers Smith (1st, 22:47), June (2nd, 23:02, Aggies), and Danielle Domenichelli (3rd, 23:14). Domenichelli is a UC-Santa Barbara All-American (senior) with 16:01 5K track credentials.

Somers Smith, 48, also picked up the PA/USATF masters victory to set beside her open division crown. In fact, she competed in five of nine 2009 PA/USATF Cross Country Grand Prix events and won every one. The season-end Grand Prix title was hers. How does a woman who is two years short of 50 do it?

“This fall I trained specifically for cross country, no marathon,” said Somers Smith who owns a 2:30:06 lifetime best at the 26.2-mile distance. “No high mileage, about 50 to 60 [per week], no long runs. I did speed work on the grass and dirt.”

“Linda’s performance was absolutely phenomenal; I don’t think she’s really human,” said June, a U.S. Olympic Trials steeplechaser who trains with Somers Smith.

Thomas Kloos (Transports adidas) built a 100m lead over the men’s 3-loop, 6.09-mile course, intending to duplicate his 2008 PA/USATF winning effort and improve on his overall second place to Bolota Asmerom (a Eugene, OR resident at the time). On the last loop, however, Phillip Reid (ASICS Aggies) caught Kloos, waited until a mile remained, then surged to victory in 30:23. Kloos (2nd, 30:31) followed, holding off Crosby Freeman (3rd, 30:36, Aggies). UC-Berkeley junior Michael Coe, the school’s recordholder in the mile (3:56.18), was fourth in 30:49.

“I’d planned with my coach [Joe Rubio] to go on the third loop,” Reid said. “But Tom [Kloos] is a tough guy. I run against him almost every week. I was inspired by my Aggie teammates, Linda [Somers Smith] and Kara [June] today.”

Austin Ramos (15th, 31:55, Transports adidas) earned the PA/USATF open men’s overall Cross Country Grand Prix title.

In the masters men’s race, Jim Sorensen (33:44, Sports Basement) pulled away from a four-man lead pack on the second 2-mile lap and extended his lead to a convincing victory.

Chris Schille (2nd, 34:19, ASICS Aggies) and Michael Livingston (3rd, 34:40, Aggies) followed.

“I tried not to go really hard and save some for Thursday’s [Silicon Valley] Turkey Trot,” said Sorensen, who holds the U.S. M40–44 age group records at 1500m (3:44.06) and 1 mile (4:04.98).

The USATF National Club Cross Country Championships (Lexington, KY; Dec. 12) featured more than 1,000 athletes representing America’s top post-collegiate club teams. California clubs from all over the state were prominent. Athletes competed for a total prize purse of $30,000, and team and individual titles at 10K for men and 6K for women.

2009 UC-Davis grad Kim Conley (West Sacramento) scored big in her first post-collegiate race. The school recordholder for 5000m (16:17) at Davis placed second among open women. As an assistant cross country coach for the Aggies, Conley postponed the start of her own season. Conley and Linda Somers Smith (6th) led their ASICS Aggies open women’s team to a third-place finish. Rachel Booth (Mountain View/Peninsula Distance Club) finished seventh.

“I’m very happy how the race went,” Conley said. “It was great to put on some spikes and feel the buzz of competition again. I’m planning to run [USA] winter cross country championships in February and then have a full outdoor season on the track, so this was a great way to open.”

In the open men’s race, Jimmy Grabow

Cross Country Wrap-Up FROM MARK WINITZ

left Jim Sorenson led the men’s masters field; right Linda Somers Smith led the women’s field 6 c t & r n • ja n ua ry — m a rc h 2 0 1 0

David Waco

A cool, drizzly morning, damp trails and grass, plus a few puddles provided a European-like harrier setting for the PA/USATF Cross Country Championships (San Francisco, Golden Gate Park, Nov. 22). With the ’09 USATF Club Cross Country Championships scheduled 3 weeks later in Lexington, KY, sev-

(Running Springs) and Charlie Serrano placed 4–5 and were top Californians, pacing their Long Beach–based International City Racing TC team to third place. The ASICS Aggies and Oakland-based Transports adidas finished fourth and fifth behind a very tough (and victorious) Zap Fitness (North Carolina) team. San Francisco’s Thomas Kloos (10th, Transports adidas) made it three Californians in the top 10.

Among masters, Peter Magill (4th, South Pasadena) anchored his newly-formed Compex Racing team to a second place in the men’s 40–49 competition. Magill and his teammate, Danny Martinez (Alhambra), went 1–2 among 45–49-year-old men.

The San Francisco-based Impala Racing Team took home a fourth straight national team title in the women’s 50–59 division and a team victory in the women’s 60–69 division. Impala’s W50–59 team, led by W50–54 individual third-placer Sarah Tabbutt, tied with Club Northwest at 16 points each. A rarely used USATF rule, however, was used to break the tie.

According to the rule, the tie is resolved by determining which team’s last scoring member finished nearest to first place.

Complete results on the Web at www.usatf.org.

Southern California SCA USATF Open & Masters Cross Country Championships FROM MIKE MAHURIN The 2009 SCA Open and Masters Cross Country Championships took place Nov. 15 at Kenneth Hahn Park in Los Angeles. The men’s and women’s Open races were dominated by International City Racing (ICR). In the men’s open 8K, the individual title went to Charlie Serrano of ICR, followed by his teammates, Jimmy Grabow and Mike Chavez in second and third place, respectively. ICR was dominant in capturing the team competition over the second-place team, Compex Racing. The women’s open 6K individual title went to Carly Harris of ICR, with her teammate, Kaitlin O’Sullivan, in second and Tania Fischer of Janes Elite Racing Team in third. The ICR women took the team title over the Janes Elite Racing Team, who finished in second place.

The masters races featured two very close team competitions. In the men’s masters 6K,

the individual title went Mike Wixted of So Cal Track Club, followed by Michael Branch and David Kent of Track Club LA in second and third places, respectively. Track Club LA took its first men’s masters team title with a close victory over runner-up So Cal Track Club.

In the women’s masters 6K, the individual title went to Lisa Valle of So Cal Track Club, who unseated three-time defending champion Rosalva Bonilla, who finished second. Track Club LA won its third straight team title by the narrowest of margins over So Cal Track Club.

Track Club LA was led by the third-place individual finisher Lydia Salinas.

The Southern California Cross Country was held on Nov. 1, also contested at Kenneth Hahn Park. The men’s open 8K title went to Jesse Morrill, while Meredith Coulibaly of Track Club LA captured the women’s open 6K title. The men’s masters 6K title was taken by Mike Wixted, with Debbie Lee of So Cal Track Club taking the women’s masters 6K title.

See page 22 for the 2010 SCA Road Racing Grand Prix Schedule.

REPORTS BY MORGAN SJOGREN Cuyamaca 6K Lindo Lake, Lakeside; Oct. 31 Participants in the Dirt Dog Cross Country series came prepared to scare the competition on a crisp Halloween morning. The flat and fast Cuyamaca 6K at Lindo Lake in Lakeside served as the final regular season competition before all participants face off on Nov. 14 at Morley Field to crown the Dirt Dog Champions.

The men’s race was won by a new face, Marco Venacio (adidas Movin’ Shoes). His time of 19:01 allowed him to narrowly escape the fierce harriers who stalked him. Okwaro Raura (Running Center/BSK) finished in second in 19:05, and Hector Hernandez (adidas Movin’ Shoes) took third in 19:08. The close finish of this race proves that the men of the Dirt Dog series are ready to duke it out for the overall title at the final in two weeks.

Hot off a second-place finish at the XTERRA Triathlon World Championships, Lesley Paterson (K-Swiss Misses) took a com-

manding lead early in the race to win in a time 20:47. Joey Bonfiglio (Running Center/BSK) finished second and ran a strong time of 21:29.

Diana Chivakos (adidas Movin’ Shoes) placed third in 21:57.

The consistent quality performances of these women will position them nicely for a high finish in the overall standings at the Dirt Dog final.

Masters standout Jim Walsh (JH Cohn) tasted victory once again in the 40+ race with a fine time of 20:14.

Teammate Adam Weiner ran 20:58 to win the 50+ category.

Dennis Kasischke (San Diego Track Club) won the men’s 60+ division in 26:11. JH Cohn also continued its dominance in the women’s masters races with Terry Martin Duvel capturing the

David Kloz

San Diego–Imperial Association

Hector Hernandez leading the Cuyamaca 6K. Association News continues on page 8

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ARCH RIVAL METRO SPORTS Greenbrae Los Altos 415.461.6588 650.948.6453 Mill Valley Palo Alto 415.383.0275 650.321.6453 San Francisco ATHLETIC OUTPOST 415.923.6453 Walnut Creek Folsom 925.943.6453 916.984.4333 ATHLETIC NAPA RUNNING PERFORMANCE Napa Los Gatos 707.255.6688 408.354.7365 RUNNERS FACTORY San Jose 408.297.0100 Los Gatos 408.395.4311 ATHLETIC SOLES RUNNERS FEET Petaluma 707.763.0700 Turlock 209.669.1212 CENTRAL COAST RUNNING RUNNERS HIGH Santa Cruz Menlo Park 831.466.0568 650.325.9432 FLEET FEET SPORTS RUNNING REVOLUTION Aptos 831.662.0886 Campbell Berkeley 408.374.9307 510.524.3338 RUNNING Chico WAREHOUSE 530.345.1000 San Luis Obispo Davis 805.781.6646 530.758.6453 RYAN’S Fair Oaks SPORT SHOP 916.965.8326 Santa Clara Monterey 408.985.6886 831.372.5664 Pleasant Hill SEE JANE RUN 925.827.4772 SPORTS Pleasanton Oakland 925.426.5576 510.428.2681 Redding San Francisco 530.226.0600 415.401.8338 Roseville SIERRA RUNNING 916.783.4558 Fresno Sacramento 559.433.6750 916.442.3338 San Anselmo THE RUNNING ZONE 415.258.8190 Elk Grove San Francisco 916.478.9663 415.921.7188 THE TREADMILL Santa Rosa Carmel 707.569.1494 831.624.4112 Stockton TRANSPORT 209.952.1446 Vacaville Berkeley 707.449.9266 510.528.8405 Oakland FORWARD MOTION 510.655.4809 Walnut Creek AUBURN RUNNING 925.820.9966 Danville Auburn 925.820.9966 530.823.2002

asics.com 8 c t & r n • ja n ua ry — m a rc h 2 0 1 0

Association News continued from page 7 At the final race of the Dirt Dog Series, Laura Stuart (#164) had the most impressive masters finish of the day, winning the 40+ title and leading her JH Cohn teammates to the 40+ team title. all title. Sean Zanderson (adidas Movin’ Shoes) finished second in 20:51, and third place was filled by Paul Wellman (adidas Movin’ Shoes) in 20:58.

With seven runners in the top 10, adidas Movin’ Shoes dominated the individual race, as well as the coveted Dirt Dog Team Championship.

For the 40+ men, the final served as a close battle to crown the individual and team winners. Jim Walsh (JH Cohn) narrowly edged Michael Hansen (Running Center/BSK) by running 22:26 to Hansen’s time of 22:32. The Jamul Toads won the 40+ men’s team competition. The 50+ men’s race was won by series leader Adam Weiner (JH Cohn) in 24:05.

Ronald Wells (San Diego Track Club) won the 60+ division in 27:03.

Lesley Paterson once again got out strong in the women’s race, a strategy that has worked well for her throughout the Dirt Dog series.

Despite the valiant efforts of Joey Bonfiglio (Running Center/BSK) to battle for the overall women’s crown, Paterson once again proved to be extremely strong, winning in 23:53 on a sloppy course. Bonfiglio finished second in 24:45, and Kathryn Kasischke (JH Cohn) finished third in 25:17. The strong finishes of the Running Center/BSK women earned their team the overall series crown.

Laura Stuart (JH Cohn) had the most impressive masters finish of the day. Not only did she convincingly win the 40+ division, her time of 25:50 would have placed her seventh in the open women’s race. Kimberlee Rouse of K-Swiss Misses won the 50+ division in 28:38 and the 60+ champion was Teri Fitzgibbons with a time of 29:16. Both the women’s 40+ and 50+ team titles were won by the women of JH Cohn, who consistently remained atop the podium all season long.

The Dirt Dog Cross Country series once again brought out the finest runners and teams in the San Diego area. Surely the great performances of the 2009 season will inspire participants to train to reach new heights for next year’s Dirt Dog Series and inspire the finest athletes in San Diego to participate. L David Kloz

gel-kayano 16 ®

40+ category in 25:31. JoAnn Scott won the 50+ in 26:24, and Teri Fitzgibbons solidified the JH Cohn machine by winning 60+ in 26:05.

In the team standings, Running Center/BSK swept both the men’s and women’s open races to earn some last-minute points before the championship event. The Jamul Toads said that they were ready to shake up the final standings by winning the men’s 40+ race, and Running Center/BSK showed balance in their lineup by winning the men’s 50+ division. In the women’s 40+ and 50+ categories, JH Cohn once again proved their dominance by winning both divisions.

Participants will face off in the Dirt Dog Championships Nov. 14 to crown the individual and team series champions Dirt Dog Championships Morley Field; Nov. 14 After an exciting cross country season that featured some of the most competitive Dirt Dog races in recent history, the series final did not disappoint, bringing all of the top dogs out to the race course. Both the men’s and women’s races took place on a challenging 4-mile course filled with wood chips, mud, sharp turns, and rocks to test their off-road abilities.

The men’s race got the action started with a pack of adidas Movin’ Shoes runners in yellow at the front. The lime green jerseys of Running Center BSK hunted the front group, but ultimately Okwaro Raura (Running Center/BSK) would be the only non-adidas Movin’ Shoes runner to crack the top five finishers. Nazario Romero (adidas Movin’ Shoes) won the race in 20:35 to also capture the over-

Full results at www.sdusatf.org/ldr.html

CaliforniaTrack &RunningNews presents the

! e e r F

January—March 2010

Runner’s Schedule Calendar YOUR COMPLETE GUIDE TO RUNNING, WALKING, TRAIL & MULTI-SPORTS IN CALIFORNIA containing events through December 2010!

25,000 Copies Distributed!

Check inside for information on these upcoming races:

Courtesy of LA Marathon

• LA Marathon (Application Included) • El Paso Marathon • John Frank Memorial NorCal 10-Miler

SPECIAL EDITION OFFICIAL FOOTWEAR & APPAREL PARTNER OF THE LA MARATHON

You can also find this calendar at www.caltrack.com.

Calendar January 1, SUN Berkeley: Splash and Dash 5M Run, Stride or Walk, 10am $20, $25 race day w/t-s and numerous awards. Sea Breeze Deli-foot of University Ave. (from I-80 take University Avenue off-ramp. West toward the Bay; course around the beautiful Berkeley Marina and Park. Race numbers not mailed; you will pick them up on race day. Sky High, 4967 Santa Rita Rd, El Sobrante 94803; Online www.TheSchedule.com; 510/2235778 (7-10 am & pm).

January 10, SUN Stockton:

California 10 9am. S/F San Joaquin General Hospital, French Camp, 5 miles sout of Stockton, (Mathews Road exit off 1-5). 10 Mile (cert # CA93028CW) and 10K out/back courses; flat, fast, paved. 10 mile finishers: sub 50/55/60 long sleeved T’s for those finishing in less than 50/55/60 min; sub-70 long sleeved T’s for women, all male runners 50+ finishing in under 70 min.

Short sleeved T’s for all others. $25 postmarked by 1/5, $30 race day. Post-race brunch included. Benefits TeamFox for Parkinson;s Research. Active.com. Info: Larry Frank, 3808 Falmouth Ct, Stockston 95219-3203; 209/478-2802; email nephronman@sbcglobal.net; www.sundancerunners.org January 24, SUN Lahaina: Maui Oceanfront Marathon, 6am Start of event shops at Wailea; pt to point flat and fast course with beautiful ocean and mountain vistas. Run north through Kihei and along some of the prettiest beaches in the world. Designer medals and t-shirt to all finishers. January is a great month to run in Hawaii! www.mauioceanfrontmarathon.com; leswright@sbcglobal.net.

Oakland: Lake Merritt Joggers & Striders, Fourth Sunday Runs 5K,10K, 15K, 9 a.m., $3 members, $5 non-members.

Lake Merritt, 568 Bellevue Ave, Oakland. Hotline: (510) 6444224 www.lmjs.org February 7, SUN Huntington Beach: Surf City USA Marathon, Surf City USA® Marathon – California’s Classic Oceanfront Festival includes a beach side beer garden in the California sun. Marathon. This exclusive oceanfront course is a California Dream! Run on Pacific Coast Highway past the famous Huntington Beach pier

and wind through the legendary surfing beaches of Southern California. Retro surf bands entertain along the way and the Finish Line Finishers receive bodacious surfboard medals!

Info@runsurfcity.com; www.runsurfcity.com Novato: Tamalpa Runner’s Couples’ Relay 2M (30th), 9am $25/$30 per couple after 2/7 w/t-s. Vintage Oaks Shopping Center (Rowland Exit off 101); flat and fun . Women/partner run two laps on a one-mile loop. Lots of awards (two-five deep in the divisions based on the combined age of the couple. Brownies, raffle. No partner, no worries. Show up before 8am & we’ll do our best to match you up w/ partner.

Tamalpa Runners, PO Box 4132, San Rafael 94913; www.tamalparunners.com; Active.com; 415/388-7917 San Francisco: Kaiser Permanente San Francisco HalfMarathon & 5K, 10,000 runners, 27th Annual, Benefits: Family House, Support For Families With Disabilities, and others,

February 28, SUN Oakland: Couples Relay 5K Run, 31st Annual, 9 a.m., $16 per couple (LMJS Club members), $22 per couple, (non-club members), $28 race day w/prizes, goody bag, awards. Youth Team $12, (combined age under 34). A pair of running socks with LMJS logo to each member of the first 100 teams to register. Sailboat House, Lake Merritt, 568 Bellevue Ave, Oakland. For entry send SASE: LMJS, 1910 Arrowhead Dr., Oakland 94611; www.LMJS.ORG Hotline: 510-644-4224 March 14, SUN Los Gatos: Go Green Saint Patrick's Day 5K/10K Run, 8:00AM Vasona Park, Los Gatos, CA (333 Blossom Hill Road, Los Gatos, CA 95032) Scenic course around the lake and along the creek bed Website: www.moshanproductions.com

March 20, SAT Oakland: Join us for a 5K Walk/Run and 10K Run around pristine Lake Merritt in Oakland for our 16th Annual AHS February 14, SUN Greek Independence Day Walk/Run. Enjoy the refreshments, Monterey: Together With Love 10KRun, 5K Run/Walk, 1K music and raffle prizes. Awards for all categories and crowning laurel wreaths for overall winners. Discounted reg fees for 19 Kid’s Fun Run (25th), 9am $26, $30 after 1/30 w/LS T-s, refreshments, prize drawing; 8:15am 1K 10 & under $13/$15 and under. www.run.pahh.com; Online Theschedule.com w/medal & goody bag. Lovers Pt Park; flat, certified,paved, Fort Bragg: Whale Run 5K/10K, 5KCW & 5K, FW (26th), scenic out-back course along wter of Monterey Bay. Benefits 8:30am. $25, $30 after 3/11. Ocean & whale spouts along 10 Monterey Rape Crisis Center’s services for sexual assult.

Mile Haul Rd. Sponsored by Soroptimist International of Fort Active.com; for more info call 831-373-3955 Bragg. All proceeds benefit local worthy causes. sifb@mcn.org

February 15, MON San Mateo: President’s Day 5K, 10K Run/Jog/Walk/ Stride, 10am $20, $25 race day w/t-s, awards and Olympic style medals to all finishers(9 & under & 70 & over Free!) Coyote Pt. County Park (Hwy 101 in San Mateo take the Coyote Point off ramp and follow signs to park); flat out/back scenic run along Bay. Event numbers not mailed; you will pick up on event day. Sky High, 4967 Santa Rita Rd, El Sobrante 94803; Online www.TheSchedule.com; 510/223-5778 (7-10 am & pm).

or soroptimistfortbraggca.org; 800/726-2780 or 707/961-6300; Online TheSchedule.com

February 20, SUN Palo Alto: Juana Run (14th), A fun family and competitive road race with events for all ages. A complimentary pancake breakfast courtesy of the Pancake House for all 8K participants immediately follows the race. The 8K race is on a relatively flat, fast, and accurate course. Juana Briones Elem.

School (4100 Orme St) www.juanarun.org

April 11, SUN Pescadero: Artichoke Half Marathon, 10K Run/Stride, 9am $25, $30 race day w/t-s and awards to all. Pescadero Exit off Hwy One (14M S of Half Moon Bay) Pescadero Road East to Stage Road, turn right to Native Son’ s Hall; very scenic out/back level paved road and 3M of trails. Race numbers are not mailed; you will pick them up on race day. Sky High, 4967 Santa Rita Rd, El Sobrante 94803; Online www.TheSchedule.com; 510/223-5778.

March 21, SUN San Francisco: Emerald Across the Bay 12K, ‘A Celebration of Running XXVII,’ Sausalito to San Francisco - across the Golden Gate Bridge, 5,000 runners + dozens of *Edgewood Kids running, Benefits: *Edgewood Center for Children & Families Oakland: Lake Merritt Joggers & Striders, No Fourth Sunday Runs this month, Hotline: (510) 644-4224; www.lmjs.org

DISCLAIMER Every effort is made to insure the accuracy of the information provided in the Calendar. However, the publisher is not responsible for errors, omissions or changes made after publication. You can save yourself time, money and frustration by pre-registering for events (especially before making any travel arrangements). You may wish to confirm by telephone with organizers the date, time and location just prior to the event.

LISTING YOUR EVENT For $75, your listing will be in print and online through the event date. Changes may be made at any time at no additional charge. Call 415-472-7223 for information.

ONLINE CALENDAR An up-to-date version of the Calendar can be found online at www.TheSchedule.com. © 2008, The Runner’s Schedule. Reproduction in any form is prohibited without consent of the publisher.

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Special 2010 LA Marathon Edition

April 25, SUN San Rafael: Register soon for the Marin County Marathon, Two Person Marathon Relay, Half Marathon, 10k, 5k and Kids Run. Sunday, April 25, 2010 at McNears Beach Park in San Rafael. Produced entirely in a sustainable manner - 100% of the proceeds are donated to charities: Athletes for a Cure, Karno Kids and Parents Place. Where the musicians come to play, join US Olympians and celebrities for an amazing day at the beach. To learn more and to register, visit www.marinmarathon.com April 25, SUN Oakland: Lake Merritt Joggers & Striders, Fourth Sunday Runs 5K, 10K, 9am $3 members, $5 non-members. Lake Merritt, 568 Bellevue Ave, Oakland. Hotline: (510) 644-4224 www.lmjs.org El Sobrante: Lakeridge Mini Man Super Sprint (250ydS11mB-2mR), 8am $40,45 race day w/t-s, lunch w/drink, water, one-day membership to Lakeridge (discount for LAC members & students w/valid ID). Lakeridge AC; S-pool, Bscenic on San Pablo Dam Rd., R-rolling hills. Medals for all.

Lakeridge Athletic Club, 6350 San Pablo Dam Rd., 94803; triathlon@lakeridgeathletic.com; Online www.TheSchedule.com May 2, SUN Danville: Workday Devil Mountain Run 5K & 10K – 33rd Annual, 3,500 Runners/Walkers + Kids Fun Run, Benefits: Children’s Hospital & Research Center Oakland May 16, SUN Berkeley: Tilden Tough Ten Miler, 10 Miles (22nd), 8 a.m., $20 pre-reg (LMJS members), $25 pre-reg (non-members), $30 race day, w/t-s, awards, raffle and refreshments. Field is limited to 300 runners. Hilly 10M out/back along Nimitz Way. Sub-60, 70 and 80 minute t-shirts. For entry send SASE to: LMJS, 1910 Arrowhead Dr., Oakland 94611, www.LMJS.ORG Hotline: 510-644-4224 May 23, SUN Oakland: Lake Merritt Joggers & Striders, Fourth Sunday Run 5K ONLY, 9am $3 members, $5 non-members. Lake Merritt, 568 Bellevue Ave, Oakland. Hotline: (510) 644-4224 www.lmjs.org

May 24, SAT Antioch: Deer Valley Super Sprint Triathlon, 9am Superkidz 7yrs-under (50ydS-1mB-.25mR), Superkidz 7-10 yrs (100ydS2mB-.5mR); Sprint Course (250ydS-8mB-2mR) Super course (500ydS-18mB-3.8mR), 8am Superkidz $15, Sprint course $35/$40, Team $45/$50 race day; Super course $40/$45, Team $45/$50. Medals for all, plus SuperKidzs. Kids 14 and under will win an award! Prewitt Water Park, 4701 Lone Tree Wy. Swim-pool, bike-slightly rolling loop, Run-paved path.

Race numbers are not mailed; you will pick them up on race day. Sky High 510/223-5778; Online www.TheSchedule.com

Runs 5K, 10K, 15K, 9 a.m., $3 members, $5 non-members.

Lake Merritt, 568 Bellevue Ave, Oakland. Hotline: (510) 6444224 www.lmjs.org

June 4-5, FRI-SAT Reno: Reno-Tahoe Odyssey Relay Run Adventure 178M (6th), 7am. One of Reno-Tahoe’s newest & most exciting Special events; a team relay run on a 178M course through the Reno-Lake Tahoe region.

Peopleburningfatproductions@pyramid.net; www.renotahoeodyssey.com

August 8, SUN Pinecrest: Pinecrest Run 5M and 1M Fun Run, The Pinecrest Run is held annually the second Sunday in August. All ages welcome! Starts and ends at the beach on Pinecrest Lake in Pinecrest, California. Race course runs through hilly streets and steeper terrain near the lake. This is Tuolumne County’s oldest running foot race! Scenic 5 mile run and "1 mile" Fun Run. Registration begins at 7:30 AM Sunday August 8, 2010. Fun Run kicks off at 8:30 AM and 5-Mile Run at 9:00 AM. There is a $15 registration fee and T-shirts sold separately also for $15 each. Proceeds benefit the Pinecrest School physical education program.

June 12, SUN Lake Tahoe: DeCelle Memorial Lake Tahoe Relay (46th), 7am. 72 mile, 7 person relay around beautiful Lake Tahoe. Hilly course with altitude. Oldest distance relay in USA. tahoerealy@gmail.com; www.Laketahoerelay.com June 27, SUN Oakland: Lake Merritt Joggers & Striders, Fourth Sunday Runs 5K, 10K, 9am $3 members, $5 non-members. Lake Merritt, 568 Bellevue Ave, Oakland. Hotline: (510) 644-4224 www.lmjs.org July 11, SUN Castro Valley: Eden Medical Center’s Run to the Lake 5K & 10K, 2,000 Runners/Walkers+ Kids Fun Run, Benefits: Eden Medical Center Trauma Center July 18, SUN Lost Gatos: Los Gatos Half Marathon, 10K Jungle Run, 7am $40, $45 after 10/25, $50 after 1/10; 7:15am 10K $25/$30/$35. Los Gatos Creek Trail. First Wave Events, PO Box 321263, Los Gatos 95032; info@firstwave-events.com; www.firstwave-events.com July 25, SAT Oakland: Lake Merritt Joggers & Striders, Fourth Sunday

July 26, SUN San Francisco: San Francisco Marathon, For more info go to : www.runsf.com July 31, SUN Australia: Australian Outback Marathon, Contact LeRoy for Information. leroy@letatravelvacations.com; www.letstravelvacations.com; 800-383-9648

August 22, SUN Oakland: Time Is On Your Side 5K, 10K Runs, 9 a.m., $6 prereg(LMJS members),, $8 pre-reg (non-members), $8 race day (members), $10 (non-members). Sailboat House, Lake Merritt, 568 Bellevue Ave, Oakland, Prizes and awards. Guess your time and the closest wins.For entry send SASE to LMJS, 1910 Arrowhead Dr., Oakland, CA 94611. www.LMJS.ORG Hotline: 510-644-4224 September 26, SUN Oakland: Lake Merritt Joggers & Striders, Fourth Sunday Runs 5K, 10K, 15K, 9 a.m., $3 members, $5 non-members.

Lake Merritt, 568 Bellevue Ave, Oakland. Hotline: (510) 6444224, www.lmjs.org October 3 , SUN San Francisco: Glide Floss Bridge to Bridge with KFOG, KNBR & The BONE Radio Stations, 6,000 Runners/Walkers, 34th Annual, Benefits: Northern California Special Olympics October 24, SUN Oakland: Lake Merritt Joggers & Striders Fourth Sunday Runs 5K, 10K, 9am $3 members, $5 non-members. Lake Merritt, 568 Bellevue Ave, Oakland. Hotline: (510) 644-4224 www.lmjs.org November 28, SUN Oakland: Lake Merritt Joggers & Striders Fourth Fourth Sunday Runs 5K, 10K, 15K, 9 a.m., $3 members, $5 nonmembers. Lake Merritt, 568 Bellevue Ave, Oakland. Hotline: (510) 644-4224 www.lmjs.org San Francisco: RUN WILD For A Child 5K & 10K, San Francisco Golden Gate Park, 6000 Runners/Walkers, 26th Annual, Benefits: SF Firefighters Toy Program December 26, SUN Oakland: Lake Merritt Joggers & Striders Fourth Sunday Runs 5K, 10K, 9am $3 members, $5 non-members. Lake Merritt, 568 Bellevue Ave, Oakland. Hotline: (510) 644-4224 www.lmjs.org

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Special 2010 LA Marathon Edition

Q&A with Peter Abraham Creative Director of the LA Marathon

by Larry Eder, President of Running Network LLC Why should someone who has never run LA before run the 2010 LA Marathon?

Stadium by bus, having earlier parked near the finish and gotten on shuttles. The course departs from a tree-lined stretch of road outside of center field. We’ll do a lap and a half of the Stadium before heading out to Sunset Boulevard. This means we have a criterium start, and all of the runners will see the elites go by on their first lap. The Stadium lot is not flat, and I advise everyone to carefully study the course profile so they’re not caught off-guard by the bumpy first mile.

Because it’s the first chance in history to run our new Stadium to Sea LA Marathon course. It starts at Dodger Stadium, travels down Hollywood Boulevard, Sunset Strip, and Rodeo Drive before ending at the Santa Monica Pier. For marathoners, this is a oncein-a-lifetime opportunity. Moreover, 2010 marks the 25th anniversary of the LA Marathon. So this year has got many special qualities that marathoners shouldn’t miss.

And what about the finish?

You’ve redesigned the course. Tell us about it.

In addition to the spectacular finishing stretch, we’re hosting a massive finish line festival down in the lot next to the Santa Monica Pier. We’ll have a band playing, great food, apparel sales, and a beautiful beach to rest on. I believe that all great running events need a user-friendly, enjoyable finish area.

The LA Marathon has never had that—until now. I think of the New York City Marathon finishing in Central Park or Bay to Breakers finishing in Golden Gate Park near the beach. You can imagine how pleasant it’s going to be for runners to cross the line and look out over the waves. Furthermore, I’ll bet a bunch of runners jog straight into the ocean for a swim after completing the race. How cool is that?

Our mission is to inspire athletes and connect communities. This course lives up to that. We call this course “A Landmark Every Mile” and it really is—from the Stadium to Olvera Street to Echo Park, Grauman’s Chinese Theater, Hollywood & Vine, Historic Route 66, the Veterans’ Administration, and Santa Monica—it just doesn’t get any better. While there are some hills in the first 8 miles, the course is net downhill, and we expect some very fast times. It also runs westward, toward the beach, so it will get progressively cooler as you get closer to the finish.

What’s your favorite part of the course?

I’m partial to the finish along Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica. I believe this will go down as one of the greatest marathon finishing stretches in the world. You have over a mile of gradual downhill lined with palm trees and a spectacular view of the ocean. Talk about camera-ready!

What festivities have been planned around the event?

• Fr iday and Satur day, Mar ch 19th and 20th—Our Expo will be at Dodger Stadium—outside. It will be unique in the world of running events. There’ll be lots of fun, experiential activities that we can only do outdoors. A runner can come pick up his or her number and also bring their family along. This event will be a hub for the California lifestyle and attract both runners and the general public.

Tell us about the start.

Courtesy of LA Marathon

Courtesy of LA Marathon

We’ll have a concentration of marathon energy at Dodger Stadium. Our Expo will be there, and the start chute is right next to the Expo space. On race morning, the runners will arrive at the

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Special 2010 LA Marathon Edition

• Satur day morning, March 20th—The NPN LA 5K at Dodger Stadium. Our 5K had previously taken place on the same day as the Marathon. We’re now holding it on Saturday so virtually anyone running the Marathon could use the 5K as a tune-up the day before the race. It features a beautiful course in Elysian Park surrounding the Stadium. Come run this event and pick up your marathon number while you’re here.

The K-Swiss Performance Running store on Main Street in Santa Monica will be like an LA Marathon clubhouse as we get closer to the event. We’re very excited about some of the other things we have planned with them.

You have a killer app on your website that shows the marathon course. We’ve linked to it on runblogrun.com. Can you give us the link so people can check it out?

• Satur day ev ening, March 20th—Win Forever Inspiration Dinner with USC football coach Pete Carroll. Pete is mentoring some of our training program leaders this year, and he’ll give his pre-game pep talk to runners on Saturday evening. This event is open to all runners for $35 and includes dinner. Having spent time with Pete, I can tell you that this is a do-not-miss opportunity.

We spent time creating fun video elements that communicate the energy and tone of this year’s event. Here are two of those pieces: www.lamarathon.com/event/course-video/ and www.youtube.com/user/LosAngelesMarathon#p/u

You’ve moved the date to March, you’ve changed the course, and you’re at events every weekend (I follow you on Twitter). Are you tired?

• Sunday, Mar ch 21st—City block parties all along the route.

We’re giving the greater LA community places to come and participate in LA Marathon festivities on race day. These concert festivals will feature local vendors, food, and a front row seat for the event. They’ll take place on Hollywood Boulevard, Sunset Strip, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and of course, at the finish in Santa Monica.

I am, but I’ll tell you, it’s so much fun to be out at running events talking to runners about the LA Marathon. There’s a huge buzz in the running community about this year’s race and the new course.

I find that many people have already heard about what’s going on, and they want to know more. So for me, it’s exciting to be out swimming in that energy. I can sleep in late March once our event is done!

• Shepard Fairey’s Studio Number One is doing a limitededition, signed 25th anniversary poster. This will be a highly collectible screenprint commemorating this year’s race.

What does your team like about the marathon community?

As you know, marathons are a passion point. Within the community of runners, marathoners are arguably the most enthusiastic practitioners. To me, that’s exciting, because we can engage with them on so many levels—interactive, social media, inperson at the race, during our training program, etc. In reality, we’re in the relationship business with our customers, and we’re trying to create a year-round dialog surrounding the LA Marathon and running. Only the runners can tell us if we’re accomplishing that or not.

You have a major footwear and apparel sponsor in K-Swiss. Tell us about that relationship.

Courtesy of LA Marathon

Courtesy of LA Marathon

K-Swiss has chosen the LA Marathon as their point of entry into the performance running world. They’ve already made a big splash in triathlons and we’re excited to help them expand their base of support in running. This is a true partnership and we’re working hand-in-hand to build a great runner experience around the LA Marathon. Already, K-Swiss has been involved in a weekly basis with the 1,600 participants in our Roadrunners training program.

Special 2010 LA Marathon Edition

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TRAINING TIPS from Rod Dixon, LA Marathon Director of Training Long Runs

Long runs should be the basis of all the training you do. My rule has always been “Double your daily average once a week.”

The long, slower runs should be as much as 2 minutes and 30 seconds slower than your estimated marathon pace for at least the first 12–14 weeks of preparation based on a 28week program. This is called the aerobic (with oxygen) phase. (Most of the world’s elite runners will run slower per mile in training than their race pace (average would be 50–80 seconds slower during this phase). This phase is more about time spent running than distance. Keep the pace at a comfortable level where you feel you could run on and on. If you are running with a friend, you should be able to carry on a comfortable conversation without feeling out of breath.

Hill Training

Courtesy of LA Marathon

This is a very important phase, and doesn't require lots of strenuous and heart-breaking mountains. Incorporate hills in your training after about 12 weeks, just as you are finishing the aerobic phase of training. Don’t get your heart rate up too high—just enough to bring you to what we call the lactate threshold stage. Your pace (heart rate) should be a little more than marathon pace, but not as demanding as 10K pace (kind of in the middle). Don’t attack each hill. Prepare yourself by dividing the hill into sections and aim to run through each section at the same pace, driving with your arms, shortening your stride, and leaning into the hill almost using gravity to do its work also. Imagine you’re pulling on a rope: Don’t look up at the top; focus and work well on each section. This phase can be about 4–6 weeks with your regular training.

Easy Days

We INSPIRE ATHLETES and CONNECT COMMUNITIES. With thousands of volunteers, tens of thousands of participants, and hundreds of thousands of spectators along the route, the LOS ANGELES MARATHON is one of the largest organized road races in the country.

For more information, visit www.lamarathon.com.

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A lot of runners have easy days since it’s important to allow the body to recover from the running training. In fact, it’s said that “We improve not while we are training, but while we are resting.” Good nutrition is essential, as is understanding the importance of recovery foods. For most runners, two days away from running is the norm each week, but some will take off three days every 4th week. Consistency is the key to improvement. Set your training so that it’s consistent and has a regular pattern.

Strength Training for Runners

This is a wide and varied subject. Anything that helps you to be more efficent as a runner has to be good. For the runner, I always suggest light weights and high repetitions. Runners just don’t need to lift or push massive weights. Learn to be efficient with your own body weight. A few of the runners’ strength training exercises that I do are push-ups, chin-ups, dips, hyperextensions, step-ups, hip raises, clamshells, and single leg squats to bench. If you need to have a trainer or you want to go to the local gym or fitness center, make sure you explain to the trainer that you’re a runner in training.

They’ll know how to set your workouts if you want to bring strength training into your running.

Rod Dixon is the director of training and coaching for the LA Marathon Roadrunners program. He’s a 4-time Olympian and Olympic medalist and the 1983 New York City Marathon champion. ©2010 by Rod Dixon.

Special 2010 LA Marathon Edition

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Special 2010 LA Marathon Edition

SUNSET STRIP

Beverly Hills

2010 Course Map Stadium to the Sea

West Hollywood

GRAUMAN’S CHINESE THEATER

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Q&A with Mark Sheehan

Director of Performance Footwear, K-Swiss

by Larry Eder, President of Running Network LLC Mark, how did you get started in the business?

I finished my professional running career in 1988 and was approached by Nike to become an Ekin [technical rep] in the state of Florida. I went to Asia on their behalf in 1990 and worked on the production and product development side for the next seven years. We had a great team during these years and making great running shoes just became our passion. We were a bunch of geek runners just making shoes we would like to run in and the formula worked very well.

STABILITY Konejo II is our stability offering. We add a higher dual-density posting to this shoe, and we increase the hardness of the core internal GuideGlide™ piece along with our Si•18 Tech crash pad to slow the rate of pronation down for this athlete. We have added the KAge Midfoot support piece on the medial side of our upper for even more assurance.

Last year, K-Swiss introduced its running line to the community. What do you have to show runners for 2010?

I really like our approach into the marketplace. We are finding our way and creating relevant products that, first and foremost, we are really proud of ourselves. We want to create shoes with a K-Swiss point of difference each time and we took our time to perfect our formula (and it’s still a work in progress). In 2009, we launched our award-winning Run One-miSOUL Tech shoe with an interchangeable insert system that allows customization for the runner. In 2010, we’re introducing two new inserts: Stability 1.0 and Orthotic 1.0 that’s designed to work with a runner’s existing orthotic insert. It was critical in my mind to deliver a full range of product for every type of runner we see and can define. We blend together five key features for each model and adapt them to the target runner we feel will have the best appreciation for these features and benefits.

1. GUIDEGLIDE™: We have two midsoles for our training models that are interlocking.

The core piece can be tuned to a different hardness for each style based on what we determine is most preferred. Our goal is to put our technology as close to the foot as we can get it. We won’t bury things in the midsole. We want the consumer to see exactly what we are talking about on each and every shoe.

2. FLOW COOL SYSTEM: A patented technology where we perforate our synthetic material in both the forefoot and heel, allowing maximum air flow through the upper.

This is a key to providing moisture management. Moving air is the best way that we know of to evaporate excess moisture inside a shoe, so we wanted to create this point of difference in our shoes vs. the competition.

3. SUPERFOAM®: This proprietary material is a derivative of the yoga mat business; it has great resiliency and no memory. We use this as our Strobel material to add a unique characteristic to a critical part of every shoe. We continue to discover new ways to use this material, and for 2010 we’ve added a layer of Superfoam® in the forefoot of all our sockliners to protect the metatarsals. We also use Superfoam® as a crash pad cushioning system, making it visible for the first time in 2010.

4. Si•18 Tech: This is our proprietary silicone-based cushioning system that we introduced to the tennis marketplace years ago. We have reformulated this material to provide more resiliency and shock dispersion to better react to the heelstrike motion of today’s runners.

5. STAY-TIED LACES: Once again, this came from our very successful tennis business and has been adopted into our running shoes. Undulating large and small oval shapes in the last seven inches of our laces don’t slip past each other, so we see much less retying happening with our shoes vs. the competition.

From these five key features that we blend together for each model and adapt to the target runner we feel will have the best appreciation for the features and benefits.

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NEUTRAL CUSHIONING Keahou II is our neutral cushioning shoe.

Here we soften the core piece of our GuideGlide™ system and add Superfoam® as our crash pad to ease the foot into a softer, more cushioned ride than the firmer ride offered by the Konejo.

MOTION CONTROL I am most proud of our new motion control running shoe called the Konesic, which is designed for severe overpronators. Lots of details and engineering are required to make a successful shoe like this, and I believe we’ve succeeded. This is by no means the largest segment of the running population, but I believe they’re the most loyal to a product that really works. I love our other shoes for sure, but this one proved to me that we have what it takes to do right by any runner. We’ve added a 3-D post to the medial side to offer the most stability and guidance of any of our shoes.

Special 2010 LA Marathon Edition

In 2010, K-Swiss is sponsoring the LA Marathon. How does one brand successfully with such an iconic event?

RACING K-Ruuz (Cruise): We also introduced our new 6.5-ounce racing shoe that has already finished third in the Hawaiian Ironman event in Kona, worn by Andreas Ralert. This new range, however, proves to ourselves that we can make comparable product vs. the competition. The K-Ruuz employs the full benefits of Superfoam® as our Strobel material. Usually, a runner must give up any type of cushioning and resiliency to get this lightweight of a shoe, but for the first racing shoe we have ever done, I’m really proud of it; we’ve received great comments from our athletes.

Our best connection points will be out on the race course itself. I can’t think of another international marathon event that has so many places people want to go and see on their vacation than LA. We need to be respectful of the history and adapt ourselves to the varying differences from community to community, but that’s what will make this race so much fun. Let’s not forget how rare it is that competing athletes are running to a destination that will actually be cooler and a net downhill from the start. K-Swiss will certainly be noticed, but this race is in our backyard, so the real winner will be the city of Los Angeles and all of the local companies coming together to really put this race on the map. Now, if only we have a tailwind, that could make for a really fast day!

Tell us about the clothing you are working on.

Our full apparel range is designed to bring high-end quality fabrications and key features and benefits that will start to define who we will become long term. Some key features are: • Our K-Wick Dry blend of polyester and Spandex, which has been very well received • Mesh inserts with four-way stretch in the critical moisture management areas for enhanced comfort and breathability • Chafe-free flat seams throughout our garments • UV protection that shields against ultraviolet rays from SPF 15–50 Our favorite item is our Ironman Spell out tee with a 70% combed cotton mixed with a polyester microfiber jersey. This is supercomfortable and once you experience the hand of this garment, you’ll wish all of your T-shirts felt this nice.

You use the LA Roadrunners Club as weartesters. Tell us about that.

LIGHTWEIGHT STABILTY The K-Ona 1.5 will get a new upper this season. This shoe continues to get rave reviews as our lightweight stability trainer. It’s winning races all over the world at this moment.

Starting in the third quarter of 2010, we’ll start to deliver on new innovations that begin to define what K-Swiss is really going to be about and how seriously we are committed to the sport. Be on the lookout for Blade Light technology coming to a store near you in the fall.

Special 2010 LA Marathon Edition

We want to create a unique environment through our store where not only are there items of interest to purchase, but also a way to connect to the pulse of the LA running community itself. That has to happen naturally. I need independent thinkers willing to tell me what they like and, more importantly, what they don’t like, to really make outstanding shoes for the long-term. We’re building an advisory panel of men and women that can be a part of our future success. California affords us unlimited access to the outdoors and rarely is there a wasted day of running. And I run a minimum of 50 miles in every shoe we make here at K-Swiss; it’s the only way we believe a shoe can accurately be evaluated.

What are you trying to achieve with the new K-Swiss line?

Very simple: acceptance. I have been in many K-Swiss booths during this past year and many of the consumers walking by give us that puzzled look of “K-Swiss makes running shoes?” I am here to tell your readers that we most certainly do.

Our forte has been tennis, so running is just a natural progression for our 44-year-old performance footwear company to spread our wings. We have been a great tennis company for many years. We had so many ideas for product enhancements that we felt a move to running would allow us our chance to showcase these enhancements in a new, expanded way. We know how to make shoes.

We have done our homework and feel we have something truly unique and special to the marketplace. The world can never have enough great running shoes. We have patience.

Every season we’ll get better; we’ll find our customer. Every season when a heavyweight changes an old model for a new one, we have a chance to steal one away. We know we must do our part through marketing and grassroots efforts to drive the runners to the store seeking us out. For the next three years, I want to make K-Swiss the most sought-after running shoes in the market. We have been at it less than two years and we’ve already won awards, stood on podiums, set course records. And we’re just getting started. We’ve just announced footwear and apparel partnerships with the newly re-invented LA Marathon race for the next three years, and new running stores in Santa Monica, Taiwan, Singapore, Korea, Hong Kong, etc., are happening. ja n ua ry — m a rc h 2 0 1 0 • c t & r n

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How do you use the experiences of your top triathletes, who put the shoes through their paces, to help the everyday runner?

Some might see us as a triathlon brand today, but I promise this is just phase 1 of our overall goal. We picked the triathlon world, especially the Ironman athlete, as our initial proving ground because no one is more exhausted beginning a marathon than are these athletes. Lots of things happen to the human body when you are moving for 8–12+ consecutive hours and not many of these changes are good—especially to your feet.

We felt this was the perfect challenge for us. Our goal is to enhance every athlete’s ability to perform. We knew if we could be a small part of getting any of our athletes to the finish line, then our credibility will be won at the athlete level, not at a marketing level. No brand can fake finishes.

Our K-Ona running shoe is built literally with all of the elements of racing in 95º and 90% humidity designed into it. Anyone can have a shoe that weighs 9.5 oz. out of the box, but what does it weigh at the end of the race? That is the bigger challenge. If my shoe is getting heavier as the race goes on, then I’m not helping you get to the finish line. Our drainage system in this shoe is built to shed the moisture build-up that accompanies every athlete in this type of event. Flow Cool System on the upper assists in the moisture management inside the product, as well.

The K-Ona is really our first focused shoe. We’ll find ways to enhance every element of training and racing in our range for every runner. My goal is to offer something of value to each runner that maybe they’re not getting from the other brands. We’re new to this sport and we’re still inventing ourselves, but our formula will remain pretty consistent from shoe to shoe. We want to have a full range of preferred running products and create the versatility with each model that entices the specialty retailer to see us as a true specialty brand. We know how to service these accounts and these athletes.

Is there a perfect shoe for every runner?

I hope not. I have too much fun in the discovery of the next new thing. We love the quest of finding just the right combination of things to make a shoe come to life but I don’t see creativity ever stopping. God may have given us the perfect shoe already; I have great respect for the barefoot running movement that’s taking shape. I loved running on the golf course or beach barefoot during my college days at the University of Florida, but, as long as people are running on hard, unforgiving surfaces, we need to keep putting products that work between them and the road.

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Tell us about your new K-Swiss running store in Santa Monica.

It has been a great adventure so far. This is the first retail store in the USA for K-Swiss. The fact that it focuses on running and our entry into this category should tell you how serious we really are.

We are two blocks from the beach and have hundreds of athletes working out every day just steps away from our location. We’ve already been contacted by a few training groups wanting relocate their weekly group runs from our location. Most importantly, we get to tell our unique story one on one to every consumer who walks in with that puzzled look on their face. Typically, they walk out pretty happy with their selection and will pass the word along to their training partners.

For those who are unfamiliar with K-Swiss how would you sum up the brand?

Great question. First of all, I need to look back. We were the first brand to introduce full leather tennis shoes, so we are innovators.

Second, we are a California sports company. This brings with it a heightened sense of optimism and creativity; the California spirit of “why not?” I mean, we have Hollywood here! Third, we’re comfortable with who we are and what we want to be, on our terms. Many people told us we were crazy to launch a new running company in these troubled economic times, but we felt it was the perfect time to try something new. So, to sum us up: playful, creative, and progressive. Just what you would imagine a passionate Southern California running company should be.

BEST NEW SHOE SPRING 2009

Special 2010 LA Marathon Edition

2010 SCA/USATF Road Racing 2010 SCA/USATF ROAD RUNNING GRAND PRIX SCHEDULE ANNOUNCED FROM WAYNE JONESS , SCA/USATF LDR CHAIR The Southern California Association USATF has announced the 2010 Road Running Grand Prix and Road Championships series for 2010.

The 2010 series builds on the success of the inaugural 2009 series by adding more races, including a new USATF Road Mile. The 2010 series includes some of the most popular races Southern California, with around 45,000 runners in total participating in the races.

REDONDO BEACH 10K Feb. 7, Redondo Beach The series kicks off with the 32nd annual Redondo Beach Super Bowl 10K. This race seems to sum up everything people love about road running in Southern California: a beautiful beachfront course, ocean breezes, and plenty of competition! The Super Bowl 10K is the 2010 Southern California Association 10K Championship race, with awards for both open and masters runners. After the run, it’s a big party, with free beer offered at the Asahi Beer Garden, while supplies last. In addition to race day awards, championship awards and medals for the 2009 Grand Prix will be presented at the USATF area, with a raffle and additional goodies for runners.

BREA 8K Feb. 28, Brea There are plenty of reasons to participate in the 19th annual running of the Brea 8K. The 8K distance offers respite from the typical 5K and 10K races that dominate road running, and the course has some moderate hills to keep your training honest. But the best part is what comes after you cross the finish line: Orange County’s Finest Finish Line, with food provided by Brea’s best restaurants. Far beyond bagels and orange slices, there is freshly prepared food, and plenty of it! As a Grand Prix Scoring Only race, the Brea 8K also offers a $5 discount to USATF runners who register early online. Get out there and run your heart out because 3 weeks later will come the most talked-about race in Los Angeles history, the new Los Angeles Marathon!

LOS ANGELES MARATHON March 21, Los Angeles The 25th annual running of the Los Angeles Marathon promises to be the running event that

forever changes marathon racing in Southern California. The “Stadium to the Sea” course starts at historic Dodger Stadium and finishes by the Pacific Ocean. The course winds through the icons of Los Angeles, heading toward the fresh air and cool ocean breezes of Santa Monica. In fact, there is a slight downhill grade to the overall course. As the 2010 Southern California Association Marathon Championship race, the LA Marathon is reinvigorating long distance running among the elite members of the SCA.

SANTA MONICA 5000 Oct. 10, Santa Monica If speed is what you need, run this 5K! The Santa Monica 5000 lays claim to being the fastest 5K in Santa Monica, and they have the course record to prove it: Phillip Reid (M-22), 13:59.5, and Belainesh Gebre (F-20) 15:47.1, from 2008.

In 2009, six men finished under 15:00 and four women finished under 17:00. As with other Grand Prix Scoring Only races, USATF runners get a $5 discount when registering online.

SANTA MONICA CLASSIC 5K May 16, Santa Monica After running the marathon of a lifetime, SCA members get a six-week break before picking up the speed again at the Santa Monica Classic.

This fast 5K benefits Heal the Bay and is a great change for runners with legs tired from long training runs. In addition, the 5K has a special youth emphasis, with additional medals awarded to the younger runners. And top runners will again be eligible for awards as the Classic is the 2010 Southern California Association 5K Championship race.

SANTA CLARITA HALF MARATHON Nov. 7, Santa Clarita After some revisions, Santa Clarita offers a newly USATF-certified course. While Santa Clarita has always been regarded as a scenic course, the full marathon and half marathon now take advantage of newly open trails along the San Francisquito Creek. We are proud to have the USATF– certified and –sanctioned half marathon event as our 2010 Southern California Association Road Half Marathon Championship.

SEMANA NAUTICA 15K July 4, Goleta The road running Grand Prix again returns to the Santa Barbara area with this wonderful 15K race. This is one of two races repeated from the 2009 schedule. Why? It’s just about impossible to beat the scenic course, run riverside and along the tree-canopied streets of Goleta. The 15K distance also challenges runners’ pacing, finding a perfect spot that’s slower than a 10K pace, but faster than the half marathon. And as a Grand Prix Scoring Only race, the Semana Nautica 15K also offers a $5 discount to USATF runners who register early online. The race offers a “no T-shirt” option, taking an additional $5 off, making this one of the best deals in running!

SCA USATF ROAD MILE August If the new LA Marathon is generating the most buzz in the greater running community, the new USATF Road Mile certainly has members of the SCA talking. There has long been a need for a competitive, fast road mile event in the Southland, and the 2010 Southern California Association Road Mile Championship will answer the needs of runners wanting to challenge themselves to run their best mile. In addition to being a Championship race, SCA USATF members will be eligible for a $10 discount at registration.

The details of the Road Mile are being finalized, so expect updates in future issues of California Track and Running News.

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DANA POINT TURKEY TROT 10K Nov. 25, Dana Point For the third year in a row, the race calendar closes with the super-popular Dana Point Turkey Trot 10K. With a field limited to 4,000 runners, this race sold out in 2008 and 2009. USATF members can save $5 off registration with this Grand Prix Scoring Only race, but be sure to register early! This will be the final opportunity for runners to add to their 2010 Grand Prix scores.

More information on the 2010 Road Running Grand Prix, visit www.scagrandprix.org.

Southern California Association/USATF ROAD RUNNING CHAMPIONS 2009 OPEN DIVISION 5K Kristen Ustariz, 20:19; Nicholas Lopez, 16:35 10K Mary Akor, 34:33; Charlie Serrano, 29:34 Half Marathon Andrea McLarty, 1:22:12; Aaron Sharp, 1:09:16 Marathon Cheryl Smith, 3:07:04; Eulogio Rodriguez, 2:26:30 MASTERS DIVISION 5K Lydia Salinas, 20:42; Oliver Gallego, 17:27 10K Sue Zihlmann, 39:11; Dave Parcel, 34:51 Half Marathon Rosalva Bonilla, 1:28:22; Scott Deardorff, 1:20:33 Marathon Rosalva Bonilla, 3:10:37; Paul Johnson, 3:27:0.

Special 2010 LA Marathon Edition

Youth/Prep News PA Youth Athletes Shine at the 2009 USATF Junior Olympic XC Champs FROM MAURA KENT PA/USATF YOUTH CHAIR The night before the big races—the 2009 USATF Junior Olympic Cross Country National Championships—the skies dropped 4"–6" of snow on the course. This was on top of 6"–10" that had fallen several days earlier.

Throughout the day of the competitions, it continued to snow but that didn’t slow the talented youth athletes of the Pacific Association (PA). To ensure athletes could compete in their events, all races were delayed by one hour to allow everyone time to gain access to the park.

This was due to the challenges cars had maneuvering through the snow-filled roads into Rancho San Rafael Park, Reno. For the third year in a row, the PA rented a tent for our athletes to stage in before and after their events, which helped in dealing with the wet and cold environment.

To earn All-American status, an athlete had to finish among the top 25 individuals or their team had to finish as one of the top three teams.

How exciting to be able to recognize AllAmerican Pacific Association athletes in each contested age-group. To cap it off, two PA athletes won their divisions: Christine Bayliss of Roseville PAL Express won the midget girls race and Sam Blake of Los Gatos won the midget boys race. This was his second year in a row winning a national title!

One amazing story came from the thirdplace finisher in the youth girls race. At approximately 800 meters, her right shoe came off when the girl behind her stepped on the back of her shoe. She still managed the run the last 2 miles without her shoe. Along the way, someone handed her the shoe so she could carry it across the finish line since it held her timing chip. Way to go, Clare Carroll of Roseville PAL Express.

The trip to Reno was worth the effort.

Check out how successful our athletes were in the results below.

Bantam Girls 2. Julia Bounds (Pleasanton Heat) 12:05; 10.

Rylee Woen (Santa Rosa Express) 12:32; 20. Blanca Sosa (Silver State Striders) 12:47. Teams: 6. Pleasanton Heat; 13. Roseville PAL Express. Bantam Boys 2. Reed Richard (Unattached) 11:24; 7. Timothy Falls (Pleasanton Heat) 11:30; 12. Kent Slaney (Palo Alto Lightning) 11:37; 14. Gavin Hill (Castro Valley) 11:39; 16. Alexander Sokol (Pleasanton Heat) 11:43; 23.

Sampson Reynolds (Pleasanton Heat) 11:50. Teams: 4.

Pleasanton Heat; 14. Roseville PAL Express; 16. Silver State Striders. Midget Girls 1. Christine Bayliss (Roseville PAL Express) 10:55; 6. Chloe Pigg (Roseville PAL Express) 11:33; 23. Eleanor Velez (Unattached) 11:54. Teams: 12. Roseville PAL Express; 14. Pleasanton Heat; 18. Modoc Braves. Midget Boys 1. Samuel Blake (Los Gatos AA) 10:12; 3. Steven Sum (Los

Gatos AA) 10:32; 16. Peter Schlachte (Pleasanton Heat) 10:54; 19. Mason LaBodie (Silver State Striders) 11:01; 25. Andrew Dobrowski (Silver State Striders) 11:07. Teams: 2. Los Gatos; 3.

Pleasanton Heat A; 18. Pleasanton Heat B. Youth Girls 3. Clare Carroll (Roseville PAL Express) 15:28; 13. Sophie Hartley (Diablo Valley) 15:43; 24. Kristina Martinez (Unattached) 16:11. Teams: 8. Buffalo Chips B; 10. Roseville PAL Express; 15. Diablo Valley Track. Youth Boys 3. Kevin Poteracke (Santa Rosa Express) 13:52; 11. Connor McCarthy (Pleasanton Heat) 14:09; 13.

Spencer Cudworth (Unattached) 14:15; 17. Caton Avilla (Pleasanton Heat) 14:18; 21. Aidan Goltra (Pleasanton Heat) 14:21. Teams: 1. Pleasanton Heat A; 12. Pleasanton Heat B; 13.

Roseville PAL Express. Intermediate Girls 4. Jessie Petersen (RF United) 19:17; 8. Emma Freeman (Buffalo Chips B) 19:28; 9. Shelby McIntyre (Buffalo Chips B) 19:30; 11. Brooke Holt (Buffalo Chips) 19:39; 18. Savannah Camacho (San Luis Distance Club) 19:51; 19. Natalie Dimits (Pleasanton Heat) 19:53; 23. Shayna Powless (Buffalo Chips D) 20:05; 24. Haley Kroll (Pacific United) 20:06. Teams 2. Buffalo Chips B; 4. Buffalo Chips D; 5. Pacific United. Intermediate Boys 15. Parker Duel (Pleasanton Heat) 16:47; 20. Mathew Ruppenthal (ASICS Aggie B) 16:52; 23. Nathanael Williams (Unattached) 16:57; 25.

Christopher Bolt (ASICS Aggie) 17:03. Teams: 5. Pleasanton Heat; 7. ASICS Aggie Running; 10. RF United. Young Women 4.

Kelsey Smith (Buffalo Chips) 19:27; 5. Breanna Lewis (Buffalo Chips) 19:28; 6. Hayley Scott (Buffalo Chips) 19:30; 10. Michelle Mowry (Buffalo Chips) 19:43; 13. Katherine Mcfarren (Buffalo Chips) 20:05; 14. Christine Zavesky (Buffalo Chips) 20:09; 15.

Maureen May (Buffalo Chips B) 20:10; 16. Kristine Lozoya (Buffalo Chips) 20:10; 20. Demery Kirsch (Unattached) 20:23; 22. Sarah Brandt (Pacific United) 20:30; 23. Sara Howard (ASICS Aggies) 20:32). Teams: 1. Buffalo Chips; 4. Buffalo Chips B; 6.

ASICS Aggie Running. Young Men 4. Geoffrey Hull (Unattached) 16:22; 13. Benjamin Heck (RF United) 16:34; 14. Amje Akoukhadijeh (Unattached) 16:36. Teams: 6. RF United

San Diego Imperial Association Junior Olympic Cross Country Championships Nov. 15; Kit Carson Park, Escondido

FROM MICHAEL ADKINS SDI/USATF YOUTH CHAIR Kit Carson Park was the site of the San Diego Imperial Association Cross Country Championships held on Nov. 15, 2009. The course at Kit Carson Park, situated in the southern portion of the City of Escondido, challenged the association’s athletes with running surfaces that varied and had its share of inclines and downhill running. Athletes started the course on grass, which at points switched to dirt, all under the watchful eye of marshals situated throughout the course. Spectators lined portions of the course that took runners past a large pond, walking bridges, picnic and recreation areas, and beautiful homes situated on the outer edge of the park.

Nearly 90 runners reported to the start line and were called to take their marks by Elizabeth Tate, a master official and the starter for the races. Tate worked in tandem with San Diego Imperial official Sharon Powell to monitor the start of the 3K, 4K, and 5K runs and

they were present at the finish line. As the competitors, who competed in five age group divisions, neared the finish line, they were greeted by cheering crowds of parents and encouraging coaches. Many displayed a final burst of speed as they completed their trek around the expansive Kit Carson Park.

The Chula Vista/San Diego Flyers, Imperial Valley Suns, and USA Rockets competed alongside the San Diego SoCal RoadRunners, regarded by some as the flagship team of the San Diego Imperial Association due to its long-established winning tradition at the association, regional, and national XC Junior Olympic Championships. A significant number of current and past members of the San Diego SoCal RoadRunners have earned individual and team championships and achieved All-American honors status at the National Junior Olympic Cross Country Meets.

The association championships was the qualifying meet to the regional XC meet, which was held one week later, also at Kit Carson Park. San Diego Imperial athletes who finished in the top 25 places in their division advanced to the regional meet on Nov. 22, 2009. The RoadRunners were the only team to field full teams. The RoadRunners competed in the Bantam (girls and boys) division, midget (girls and boys) division and youth (girls and boys) division and advanced all of their eight teams. The Imperial Valley Suns qualified a team in the Youth Boys Division.

Bantam Girls 1. Groff, Hazel; 2. Garritson, Catherine; 3. Fahy, Kristin; 4. Hodges, Francesca; 5. LaSpada, Katarina; 6. Whitley, Diamon; 7. Ores, Arianna. Bantam Boys 1. Depetro, Christopher; 2. LeDesma, Evan; 3. Rader, Nelson; 4. Kobe Brown; 5. Roth, Thomas; 6. Abrahamson, Steven; 7. CJ Ellis; 8.

Aries, Jacob; 9. Prince, Donovan; 10. Wilson, Ricky; 11. Morales, Alex; 12. Morales, Dominic; 13. Paman, Kieko; 14. Graham Jr., Brian; 15. Boamah, Joshua; 16. Gadalla, Cameron; 17. Guerrero, Valentin; 18. Cheatwood, Daniel. Midget Girls 1. Charles, Anne; 2. Lopez, Helen; 3. Morales, Katherine; 4. Hill, Sierra; 5.

Abrahamson, Sarah; 6. Burnett, Keiana; 7. Swafford, Claire; 8.

Toth, Delaney; 9. Burns, Gabrielle; 10. Toth, Kylie. Midget Boys 1. Dodds, Spencer; 2. Turekci, Burak; 3. Lara, Gerardo; 4. Lau, Liam; 5. Irani, Arman; 6. Hodges, Sam; 7. Rider, Ian; 8. DeJong, Frank; 9. Gadalla, Justin; 10. Jewell, Marco; 11. LeDesma, Derrick; 12. Lawson, David. Youth Girls 1. Abrahamson, Emma; Garritson, Shelby; 3. Bosler, Rebekah; 4. Bosler, Rachel; 5. Kuck, Alyssa; 6. Simeroth, Jodi; 7. Jarvis, Magan; 8. Hettinger, Quincey; 9. LaSpada, Natalia; 10. Ponce, Karen; 11. Garnica, Xochitl; 12. Puentes, Mayra. Youth Boys 1. Cota, Eric; 2. Gee, Brendan; 3. Lara, Joel; 4. Johnson, Austin; 5. Lopez, Joe 6.

Martin, Shay; 7. Johnson, Conner; 8. Rangel, Alberto; 9. Lucero, David; 10. Pizano, Jorge; 11. Bieraugel, Carson; Daum, Troy; 13. Villegus, Pablo; 14. Pacheco, Esteban; 15. Stowe, John; 16.

Marsh, Ramiro; 17. Lopez, Marko; 18. Caudill, Daulton; 19.

Gonzalez, Ruben. Intermediate Girls 1. Garritson, Meagan.

Intermediate Boys 1. Garritson, Buchannon. Young Men 1. deRoulet, Sam Visit www.sdusatf.org for complete Association results, including individual times, points scored, and team standings.

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Kurt Abrahamson

Youth/Prep News continued from page 8

Region 15 Junior Olympic Cross Country Championships Nov. 22; Kit Carson Park, Escondido

FROM MICHAEL ADKINS SDI/USATF YOUTH CHAIR The San Diego SoCal RoadRunners continued their dominance at the Region 15 Junior Olympic Cross Country Championships held Nov. 22, 2009 at Kit Carson Park in Escondido.

Athletes from the Southern California and Nevada associations joined athletes from the San Diego-Imperial Association who hosted the regional, which served as the qualifying meet to the National Junior Olympic Cross Country Championships.

The National XC Championships held on Dec. 12, 2009 in Reno had a strong contingent of San Diego-Imperial athletes vying for individual and team championships and All-American honors.

The San Diego SoCal RoadRunners has been the prominent youth XC team in the San Diego-Imperial (SDI) Association over the past several years. The 2009 campaign would see five RoadRunner teams advance to the national competition. The RoadRunners’ past successes at the regional and national XC competitions have inspired other local clubs to take up the sport. The RoadRunners were joined by the Imperial Valley Suns, Chula Vista/San Diego Flyers, USA Rockets and unattached athletes at the regional meet in what has been growing participation in the fall sport of XC for SDI. The top three teams and 20 athletes in each of the five age group divisions advanced to nationals. SDI athletes turned in some impressive individual and team performances. When the final race had been run and the complete results published, SDI athletes were among the leaders who would lead the association and Region 15 to Reno.

The Bantam Girls Division 3K Run saw the San Diego SoCal RoadRunners finish second behind the Equalizers “A” Team from the Southern California Association. The top runners moving on to the national meet were Hazel

Groff, Kristin Fahy, Catherine Garritson, Francesca Hodges, and Katarina LaSpada.

The San Diego SoCal RoadRunners’ fielded two teams in the Bantam Boys Division. The “A” Team consisted of Nelson Rader, Christopher Depetro, Evan Ledesma, Kobe Brow. Darius Boamah, Donovan Prince, Steven Abrahamson, and CJ Ellis Kirwan advanced to National XC meet by placing second in a close competition with the Equalizers “A” Team of the Southern California Association. The RoadRunners just barely missed the team title running an overall time of 58.10.10 for 40 points to the Equalizers’ time of 58.08.20 and 42 points. The RoadRunners’ “B” Team of Thomas Roth, Jacob Aries, Ricky Wilson, Kieko Paman, Peter Caeg, and Cameron Gadalla finished in the fifth team position in a time of 1:05:52.80.

The Midget Division, which also competed at the 3K distance, saw both girls and boys teams from the San Diego SoCal RoadRunners advance to the nationals. The Midget Girls won the team title in impressive fashion over the Equalizers “A” Team. Competing for the RoadRunners, who finished almost a full minute ahead of the Equalizers runners, were Anne Charles, Helen Lopez, Sierra Hill, Kathy Morales, Sarah Abrahamson, Cailin Caeg, Delaney Toth and Gaby Burns. The Midget Boys advancing to Reno and representing the RoadRunners were: Spencer Dodds, Burak Tufekci, Frank De Jong, Ian Rider, Sam Hodges, Marco Jewell, Nicholas Lawford, and Justin Gadalla.

The Youth Divison competed at the 4K distance and the RoadRunners ran two girls teams in their quest for the opportunity to compete at the National XC Junior Olympic Championships. The San Diego SoCal RoadRunners’ “A” Team advanced to the national meet with a third place finish in a total time of 1:20:03.34. Representing the RoadRunners in Reno were Shelby Garritson, Emma Abrahamson, Rebekah Bolser, Catie Ledesma, Alyssa Kuck, Quincey Hettinger, Jodi Simeroth, and Andie LeDesma.

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left Bantam Boys 3K Run; right Youth Girls Jassmine Macon (#6319, So Cal Comets), Laura Diaz-Barbosa (#6249, So Cal Roadrunners), Cathie LeDesma (#6235, SD SoCal RoadRunners) Regional Results for San Diego Imperial Athletes Bantam Girls: 7. Hazel Goff, SD SoCal RR; 11. Kristin Fahy, SD SoCal RR; 13. Catherine Garritson, SD SoCal RR; 18. Diamond Whitley, USA Rockets; 23. Katarina LaSpada, SD SoCal RR; 24.

Francesca Hodges, SD SoCal RR; 40. Arianna Oreb, SD SoCal RR. Bantam Boys: 5. Radar Nelson, SD SoCal RR; 6.

Christopher Depetro, SD SoCal RR; 9. Evan LeDesma, SD SoCal RR; 11. Kobe, Brown, SD SoCal RR; 16. Darius Boamah, SD SoCal RR; 18. Donovan Prince, SD SoCal RR; 23. Steven Abrahmson, SD SoCal RR; 24. CJ Ellis Kirwan, SD SoCal RR; 30.

Thomas Roth, SD SoCal RR; 33. Jacob Aries, SD SoCal RR; 36.

Alex Morles, USA Rockets; 37. Ricky Wilson; 39. Kieko Paman, SD SoCal RR; 45. Peter Caeg, SD SoCal RR; 46. Brian Graham Jr., Imperial Valley Suns; 47. Joshua Boamah, SD SoCal RR; 48.

Dominic Morales, USA Rockets; 49. Cameron Gadalla, SD SoCal RR; 50. Daniel Cheatwood, Imperial Valley Suns; 51. Valentine Guerrero, Imperial Valley Suns. Midget Girls: 1. Anne Charles, SD SoCal RR; 2. Helen Lopez, SD SoCal RoadRunners; 8. Sierra Hill, SD SoCal RR; 14. Katherine Morales, SD SoCal RR; 16.

Sarah Abrahamson, SD SoCal RR; 32. Delaney Toth, SD SoCal RR; 33. Keiana Burnett, USA Rockets; 37. Calillin Caeg, SD SoCal RR; 38. Gabrielle Burns, SD SoCal RR; 44. Kylie Toth, Imperial Valley Suns. Midget Boys: 12. Spencer Dodds, SD SoCal RR; 21. Burak Tufekci, SD SoCal RR; 28. Frank DeJong, SD SoCal RR; 29. Ian Rider, SD SoCal RR; 33. Sam Hodges, SD SoCal RR; 38. Liam Lau, SD SoCal RR; 39. Jonathan Jimenez, SD SoCal RR; 40. Marco Jewell, SD SoCal RR; 42. Nicholas Lawford, SD SoCal RR; 43. JP Edge, SD SoCal RR; 45. Justin Gadalla, SD SoCal RR; 46. Gerardo Lara, Imperial Valley Suns; 47. Derrick LeDesma, SD SoCal RR. Youth Girls: 2. Shebly Garritson, SD SoCal RR; 3. Emma Abrahamson, SD SoCal RR; 18. Rebekah Bosler, SD SoCal RR; 21. Catie LeDesma, SD SoCal RR; 22. Alysssa Kuck, SD SoCal RR; 26. Quincey Hettinger, SD SoCal RR; 28. Jodi Simeroth, SD SoCal RR; 30. Andie LeDesma, SD SoCal RR; 32. Rachel Bosler, SD SoCal RR; 33. Magan Jarvis, SD SoCal RR; 38. Bailie LeDesma, SD SoCal RR; 39. Natalia LaSpada, SD SoCal RR. Youth Boys: 22. Eric Cota, Chula Vista/San Diego Flyers; 23.

Brendan Gee, SD SoCal RR; 29. Joel Lara, SD SoCal RR; 34.

Edward Charles, SD SoCal RR; 36. Shay Martin, SD SoCal RR; 39. Joe Lopez, SD SoCal RR; 42. Austin Johnson, Chula Vista/San Diego Flyers; 44. Connor Johnson, Chula Vista/San Diego Flyers; 45. Pablo Villegus, SD SoCal RR; 46. Carson Bieraugel, SD SoCal RR; 47. David Lucero, Imperial Valley Suns; 48. Troy Daum, SD SoCal RR; 49. Daulton Caudill, SD SoCal RR; 50. Esteban Pacheco, Imperial Valley Suns; 51. Ramiro Marsh, Imperial Valley Suns; 52. Marko Lopez, Imperial Valley Suns.

Intermediate Girls: 1. Meagan Garritson, SD SoCal RR Intermediate Boys: 5. Darren Fahy, Unattached; 42. Josue Lara, Unattached; 47. Buchannon Garritson, SD SoCal RR Young Men: 33. Sam deRoulet, SD SoCal RR. Visit www.sdusatf.org for the complete 2009 Region 15 Cross Country Championships results.

Long Distance Running Humboldt Redwoods Half Marathon Oct. 18, 2009; Weott The Six Rivers Running Club has hosted PA/USATF’s Humboldt Redwoods Half Marathon Championship almost as long as the ancient redwoods have stood on the scenic course over which it runs. Thomas Kloos (San Francisco) improved a place from last year’s runnerup performance by winning the men’s race in a time of 1:09:11. Lindsay Nelson (Roseville), a young newcomer to the circuit, took overall women’s honors in 1:21:55.

Kloos made the race at the front shortlived. A lead pack of five or six men went out conservatively over the fast, out-and-back course through Humboldt Redwoods State Park. At 3 miles, Kloos dropped his last challenger and proceeded to win the PA/USATF Open Men’s Championship crown.

“I felt really good at 5:10 pace through about 9 miles. At 10, my legs turned into sandbags, and I downshifted into survival mode, just trying to keep the running respectable,” said Kloos, who placed sixth in the steeplechase at the 2009 USATF Championships and serves as an assistant cross country and track coach at the University of San Francisco.

Sam Robinson (2nd, 1:10:29) and Alan Jackson (3rd, 1:10:45) followed Kloos to the finish line.

In the women’s race, Nelson secured a PA/USATF championship crown in only her third race at the distance. After graduating from Chico State in 2008 with all-conference honors in track and cross country, Nelson rapidly moved up in distance, aiming her sights on the 2009 California International Marathon. She won both the 2008 Lake Natoma Four Bridges Half Marathon in Folsom (1:27:02) and the Bidwell Classic Half Marathon in Chico last March (1:24:41).

At Humboldt, Nelson started conservatively since she didn’t know any of the women on the PA circuit. After picking up her pace at 5 miles, she passed eventual second-placer Yiou Wang (1:24:37) at 8 miles and never looked back.

“I consider myself lucky,” Nelson admitted. “Normally there are really fast times at Humboldt. I wanted to be in the top three but didn’t think I’d do it.”

The women’s course record is 1:14:56 (Laura Mykytok, ’95). The men’s is 1:05:03 (Mike Stone, ’93).

For multiple U.S. age-group recordholder Barbara Miller, the Humboldt Half Marathon

month after competing at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon where he finished eighth (and first American) in a fine 2:15:30.

“It took a little longer for the after-effects of Chicago to wear off than other marathons,” Reyes said, “but I figured I had an advantage coming off a longer race like the marathon.”

Running conservatively, the U.S. Air Force civilian flight test engineer was content to stick with an early lead pack of about a halfdozen men. With about 5 miles remaining, Reyes slightly picked up the pace and cruised away to victory. His Aggies teammates, Carlos Siqueiros (2nd, 1:40:45) and Chris Mocko (3rd, 1:40:46), worked together for the remainder and agreed to finish 2–3. The threesome comprised the ASICS Aggies winning PA/USATF open men’s team. The Aggies also won the open women’s team competition.

Cliff Lentz, 44, topped masters men in 1:48:59, followed by 51-year-old Tim O’Rourke in 1:49:40. O’Rourke just missed topping his pending U.S. M50–54 age group record (1:49:37) which he set here last year.

Doug Braasch and Barbara Miller in Austin, TX for the 2008 National 10K Champs

Clarksburg Country Run 30K Nov. 8, 2009; Clarksburg Pacific Association circuit stalwarts Sergio Reyes and Lisbet Sunshine pinned down overall victories at the Paul Reese Memorial Clarksburg Country Run. Sunshine, age 45 (San Francisco), successfully defended her 2008 PA/USATF 30K Championship title as Reyes (28, Los Osos) ascended the victor’s platform after placing second last year.

Sunshine completed the 30K (18.6 miles) course that traverses levee roads in the tranquil and picturesque Sacramento River delta region in 1:57.32. She bettered her 2008 winning time by almost 2 minutes. Another master, Shannon Cody (age 40) placed second in 1:58:46.

Lindsay Nelson captured third in 2:00:33.

Reyes claimed his Clarksburg victory a

Applied Materials Silicon Valley Turkey Trot Elite 5K Nov. 26, 2009; San Jose The Applied Materials Silicon Valley Turkey Trot Elite 5K is growing a reputation as one of the fastest 5K road races in the world. That reputation was bolstered at the 5th annual event, as PA/USATF open division runners went headto-head with elite runners that hailed from five countries, and included five Olympians. A prize purse totaling $25,000 was on the line.

Over 10,000 participants competed in mass 5K and 10K races before elite and PA/USATF men and women took their turns in separate races over a flat-and-fast, four-lap

Larry Rosa Photography

BY MARK WINITZ

will always hold a special place in her heart. The Modesto resident turned 70 two months before this year’s race and proceeded to obliterate the U.S. W70–74 U.S. age group record with a sparkling 1:47:12, bettering the old mark by over 3 minutes. Miller also set the U.S. W60–64 and W65–69 records on this course.

But Miller will forever remember her 2009 Humboldt race for a different reason.

It was the last race that Miller and her husband, Doug Braasch, ran together. Two and a half weeks later, Braasch had a heart attack and passed away, only two days before his 70th birthday. The affable Braasch often accompanied Miller to PA/USATF events. Like Miller, he was a member of the Buffalo Chips Running Club (and also the Shadow Chase Running Club). Doug will be missed by his many running friends.

Vicky Boyd

PA/USATF Road News

At the Applied Materials Silicon Valley Turkey Trot, Linda Somers Smith ran 16:14 and obliterated the official and pending W45–49 age group records. ja n ua ry — m a rc h 2 0 1 0 • c t & r n 27

LDR continued from page 27 5K course. For the first time here, compelling women’s performances outdid the men’s.

Kenya’s Sally Kipyego topped the women’s race in 15:41, bettering the previous women’s course record (Rose Kosgei, 15:53, 2007). The former Texas Tech star, who owns a record nine NCAA Division I individual titles, broke open a small lead pack with about a mile remaining and held off fellow Kenyans Genoveva Kigen (2nd, 15:49) and Irene Kimaiyo (3rd, 15:56).

“I just came out to see where my fitness is,” said Kipyego. “I was basically listening to my body to see how I felt, and I felt pretty good. It’s a great race. The cheering crowds are amazing.”

Sara Hall (Mammoth Lakes) was the top U.S. finisher (5th, 16:00) as her husband, Ryan, looked on following his fourth-place 2:10:36 performance at the New York City Marathon several weeks earlier.

But 48-year-old Linda Somers Smith turned in the strongest performance in the women’s elite race where 13 women broke 17 minutes. Somers Smith’s time of 16:14 for sixth place overall obliterated both the official U.S. W45–49 age group record (16:50, Carmen Ayola-Troncoso, 2006) and the pending record of 16:39 set by Colleen De Reuck, age 45, at the Freihofer’s Run for Women 5K last May. Somers Smith (Arroyo Grande) set the record only four days after winning the PA/USATF Cross Country Championships.

Her 16:14 gun time converts to an incredibly fast 101.7% age-graded score (which is equivalent to a 14:33 time for a woman in her 20s).

Somers Smith was also crowned the PA/USATF Open 5K Champion.

“I didn’t wear a watch, but I heard [splits of ] 5:10 [mile 1] and 10:24 [mile 2],” said Somers Smith, a standout marathon runner who represented the U.S. in that event at the 1996 Olympic Games. “I got a little nervous because 5:10 is as fast as I’ve gone in a workout.

I kind of panicked, but I never felt bad.”

41-year-old Magdalena Visser (15th, 18:03) secured the PA/USATF Open Women’s season-end Short Road Grand Prix title.

The men’s elite and PA race had seven men

Southern California Association LDR Report FROM WAYNE JONESS LDR CHAIR

2009 Road Running Grand Prix & Road Championship Races Long Beach Marathon/Run Forrest Run 5K Oct. 11, 2009; Long Beach The 2009 Southern California Road Running Grand Prix recharged with the Run Forrest Run

Larry Rosa Photography

Turkey Trot Winners left Sara Hall, Phillip Reid

break 14 minutes, down from a dozen last year when Californian Scott Bauhs set a 13:37 men’s course record. A largely tactical race at the front concluded with Kenyans Julius Kogo (1st, 13:39) and Robert Letting (2nd, 13:42) in a sprint finish followed by Great Britain’s Christopher Thompson (3rd, 13:46). Ireland’s Alistair Cragg, a two-time 5000m Olympian who trains in Mammoth Lakes, was fifth (13:51).

Like Somers Smith, Philip Reid (San Luis Obispo) came off a win at the PA/USATF Cross Country Champs and recorded an excellent per-

formance. Reid finished sixth in 13:55, matching his 5000 PR on the track, and took home the season-end PA/USATF Short Road Grand Prix Open Men’s title.

Yosef Ghebray, a UC-Berkeley collegian (senior) and an All-American, finished seventh in 13:59.

Jim Sorensen, 41, pinned down the masters men’s victory in 15:21 (a “world class” agegraded score of 90.3%). L Full Grand Prix results are on the web at PAUSATF.org.

5K, part of the massive running spectacle that was the 25th annual International City Bank Long Beach Marathon. The festive atmosphere on Shoreline Drive energized Southern California Association members, and with a nearly flat course, many runners set new personal records at the 5K race.

For the first time ever, both the full and half marathon events sold out, with the Run Forrest Run 5K also bringing in one of its largest fields of runners. The starting line for the 5K resembled a class reunion for many USATF runners who participated in earlier Grand Prix events. It had been several months

since the last Grand Prix race, the Semana Nautica 15K on July 4th, and SCA runners showed the results of their summer training.

Crossing the 5K finish line first was USATF member Luis Guevara, with a time of 15:09. Luis ran as a member of the International City Racing Track Club. This recently formed group, coached by Jason Bruton, has proven itself to be a dominant force, and Sunday was no exception. That day Luis’ ICR teammate Eli Rodriguez won the International City Bank Long Beach Marathon in 2:25:57. In May, Rodriguez also won the OC Marathon, taking the title of the 2009

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Run Forrest Run Winners left to right Cambria D’Amico (Janes Elite Racing Team), Luis Guevara (International City Racing Track Club), and Sue Zihlmann (A Snail’s Pace)

Goleta in July to run in the Semana Nautica 15K. While Track Club LA is a large group of Westside Los Angeles runners, Elite Health Track Club is a smaller, close-knit group of determined runners coached by Wayne Douglas. Douglas has really encouraged his runners to participate in the Road Running Grand Prix, and as a result, Elite Health Track Club is the only group to claim 100% participation, with every one of Wayne’s runners showing up in at least one Grand Prix race!

A Snail’s Pace Running Club also had a strong showing at the Run Forrest Run 5K, with Dale Campbell (M-56) turning in a spectacular 16:29 time, for an age-graded score of 941. Dale’s score is the highest of the runners participating in the 2009 Grand Prix. Sue Zihlmann (F-45) ran 18:35, only one week after her PR 2:53:22 finish at the St. George Marathon. Club liaison Bob Morris indicated there would be more participation by ASPRC at 2010 USATF events, so Southern California runners are officially on notice to watch out for great performances by this motivated running club!

With the 5K race behind them, runners relaxed and enjoyed the best finishing line feast ever, with lunch provided by Bubba Gump Shrimp, the title sponsor of the Run Forrest Run 5K. Runners were offered a selection of box lunches, including smoked salmon and shrimp! While the half and full marathon runners dined on traditional bagels and orange slices, every 5K runner felt like an elite athlete on Sunday morning, with the first class treat-

ment offered by race organizers International City Racing. And in celebration of the silver anniversary of the International City Bank Long Beach Marathon, more than 25,000 cupcakes were distributed on Sunday!

Santa Barbara News-Press Half Marathon Nov. 7, 2009; Santa Barbara It was another spectacularly beautiful day for racing, as the Southern California Association Road Running Grand Prix and Road Championships returned to Santa Barbara on Saturday, Nov. 7, in conjunction with the 33rd annual Santa Barbara News-Press Half Marathon. Taking first place in the men’s division was Aaron Sharp, with a time of 1:09:16, and in the women’s division Andrea McLarty wins her championship title with a time of 1:22:12.

At a previous USATF event, one runner described racing in Santa Barbara, as “Aaron Sharp, and then everyone else way behind him.” 2009 looked like a field to challenge Sharp’s domination. Joining Sharp at the start line was Bobby Olivera of Ventura, winner in October of the Ojai Half Marathon with a time of 1:10:32, and Eli Rodriguez, of Whittier, the 2009 Southern California Association USATF Marathon Champion.

A little more than an hour later, as the top runners neared the finish line, the race appeared to be “Aaron Sharp, and then everyone else way behind him.” Sharp, who is preparing for the 2009 California International Marathon in

brightroom.com

Southern California Association Marathon Champion. And fellow ICR runner Jimmy Grabow won the International City Bank Half Marathon, making a perfect sweep for International City Racing in all three events. In addition to his victory Sunday, Grabow was the first SCA runner to cross the finish line in the elite Coaster 5K race this March! Joining Eli in celebrating a victory in the marathon event was Cheryl Smith, winner of the OC Marathon and also 2009 Southern California Association Marathon Champion. Smith took 17 minutes off her OC Marathon time, running 2:50:18!

And USATF member Bethany Nickless won the Half Marathon, as well.

In the women’s division of the Run Forrest Run 5K, Cambria D’Amico handily won with a time of 17:20. D’Amico runs as a member of the Janes Elite Racing Team, a USATF elite development club. While the 5K was D’Amico’s first Grand Prix event, the Janes turned in an outstanding team performance at the Brentwood 10K in June. D’Amico has been strong all year, also winning the Conquer the Bridge 5-mile Road Race held in San Pedro on Labor Day. In the team competition, Track Club LA edged out Elite Health Track Club. This was a rematch for the two teams, who also traveled to

ja n ua ry — m a rc h 2 0 1 0 • c t & r n

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LDR continued from page 29 Santa Barbara News-Press Half Marathon Winners left to right Aaron Sharp (1:09:16), and Andrea McLarty (1:22:12).

December, won a decisive victory, finishing 3 minutes ahead of Olivera’s 1:12:48, and 6 minutes faster than Eli Rodriguez’s 1:15:27. This was also Sharp’s third time running the Santa Barbara Half Marathon, and his best finish, as well.

While Sharp held a decisive lead throughout the entire race, Andrea “Drea” McLarty, had more of a challenge to keep her distance from competitors Sara Dillman and Chrystee

Bradley. McLarty reported that while she felt strong for most of the race, the last 5K was a tremendous struggle. Despite having the worst “bonk” she could remember in a major race, McLarty held her focus and won convincingly in 1:22:12, followed by Dillman, 1:23:52, and Chrystee Bradley, 1:25:04.

After becoming a mother to two children, McLarty is returning to running with a real passion. This was not McLarty’s first Santa Barbara

MUT News

senior open (30–39) champion Victor Ballesteros muscled Mount Tam into submission with his swift 4:15:37 clocking for second place overall behind triathlete and ex-Olympic swimmer Chris Hauth (4:01:59). Ballesteros’ finish padded his healthy points margin over his closest age-group pursuer, Jason Reed, last season’s open (20–29) Grand Prix champ. Among PA division rivals, Jed Tukman was runnerup in 4:49:23, followed by Reed in 5:03:25. Masters champ (both defending and recurring) and former PA Ultrarunner of the Year Jean Pommier cemented his grip on the division standings with his 4:25:32 for sixth place overall.

The most heated men’s competition of the year—and the only one to hang in the balance at the Quad—was in the senior (50–59) division, where division-leader John Catts kept his eye on Keith Blom, who started the day in third place only 28 points in arrears. Blom (5:31:48) nudged Catts by one second at the finish, but gained only nine points on him in the process, sufficient to move into second place in the final standings, but not enough to overtake Catts for the Grand Prix crown.

Likewise on the women’s side, only one

PA/USATF Ultra Grand Prix Concludes at Quad Dipsea

BY HOLLIS LENDERKING The 18th annual Pacific Association Ultra Grand Prix concluded on a slightly disorienting note at Thanksgiving weekend’s annual ultrafestivity, the 27th annual 28.4-mile Quadruple Dipsea Run. Under the direction of founding impresario John Medinger, the Quad typically attracts a stellar field of national-caliber ultrarunners from hither and yon, particularly the Pacific Northwest, a region that has emerged over the past decade as a highly competitive rival to Northern California. Not this year, though, when ultrarunners were fortunate the event was staged at all, given the state parks system’s fiscal disarray. Registration opened very late for the race, frustrating distant holiday travel plans, and so NorCal regional runners had the event pretty much to themselves.

The Grand Prix’ top point scorer, 2009

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Half Marathon; she ran the course in 2007, finishing in 1:31:51. Two years older and 2 years wiser, she cut nearly 10 minutes off her previous time! Like Sharp, McLarty is preparing for a marathon, in her case the inaugural 2009 Santa Barbara International Marathon.

In the team competition, a newly filledout Santa Barbara Athletic Association trounced Track Club LA, 4001 to 3666. The Santa Barbara Athletic Association had no fewer than four runners scoring above 800, the mark for “nationally ranked” runners. Leading the SBAA in age-graded scoring were Maggie Mason and Scott Deardorff. Both these runners are consistently strong, and Mason and Deardorff also took top honors at the Semana Nautica 15K race in July.

See page 22 in this issue for the 2010 SCA USATF Road Race Grand Prix Schedule.

Grand Prix title was at stake in the season’s final race, and in this case the results re-ordered the standings. The masters division leader—and three-time defending PA Ultrarunner of the Year—Bev Abbs didn’t enter the race, and thus handed Jean Suyenaga a ripe opportunity that she exploited with her 6:45:42 finish, vaulting her to the crown.

From the fall schedule, three performances by PA athletes stand above the rest. At the penultimate Grand Prix event, the Helen Klein 50-Mile on Oct. 31, open Grand Prix champion Chikara Omine recorded a smashing 5:45:41 time along the American River bike path, winning the race by an hour in the process. At the Dick Collins Firetrails 50-Mile earlier that month, recent PA arrival Dave Mackey—a long-time Colorado-based ultra superstar—ran the second-fastest time (6:30:34) in that event’s history. And at the non-Grand Prix San Francisco One Day on Oct. 24, perennial super senior (60–69) standout and former division champion Eldrith Gosney, 68, registered 94.4 miles to establish a new pending American (65–69) road record.

L

Race Walking SCA/USATF Roundup FROM PEDRO SANTONI SCA RW CHAIR

For SCA racewalkers, the highlights of the fall schedule are the three one-hour postals where competitors try to walk as many laps as possible within the time limit; this year, walkers who wanted to try a shorter distance could also race in a 30-minute postal. Competitors can then measure themselves against their peers elsewhere in the United States by submitting their best performance to Minnesota’s Bruce Leasure, of Twin Cities Racewalkers’ fame, who has taken over the task of compiling postal results from New Jersey’s Elliott Denman. Bruce is a computer wizard, and thanks to his expertise, racewalkers can check the latest results at walkonmn.org/postal/results.htm.

The Cal Tech University track in Pasadena serves as the venue for these events, which began bright and early (the gun went off at 6:45 a.m.). Several walkers among the nearly twenty who raced in the Oct. 18 and Nov. 15 postals benefited from cool temperatures. Southern California Walkers’ John Magnussen, who like a fine wine continues to get better despite his growing “maturity,” has so far turned in one of the postal’s most impressive performances.

Competing in the 55–59 age group, John’s best result in 2008 was 9,212 meters, but this year he walked 9,765 meters in the first postal and 10,023 in the second. John is also one of SCA’s hardcore marathoners. In 2009 he won the racewalk division of the Los Angeles Marathon in 4:48:42, and took first place among male

2010 SCA USATF Racewalk Grand Prix Schedule Date 1/17 2/28 3/14 4/11 5/16

Event WCLA Rose Bowl 10-Mile, Richard Oliver 5K Indoor/Outdoor meet at Mater Dei HS Easy Striders Saint Patrick’s Day 20K & 5K (National Masters Championship pending bid approval) Mt. San Antonio College Relays National Masters/West Region 15K Championship

OTHER JUDGED RACEWALKS 6/5 California State Senior Olympics 6/6 Jim Bush/SCA Open Track & Field Championships Jim Hanley & Elaine Ward Cups 6/19–20 SCA Masters Track & Field Championships June TBD California State Senior Games 7/10–11 USATF West Region Masters T&F Champs 7/22–25 USATF National Masters Championships

racewalkers in the Portland Marathon with a time of 4:57:57. He attributes his improvement to several changes he introduced into his workout plan. Not only did he up his overall aerobic mileage (up to 60 miles per week), but he also started to use a heart rate monitor to hold him back on aerobic walks and to push himself in tempo and anaerobic workouts. In addition, John periodized his yearly schedule; he devoted several months to mostly aerobic base training, and followed these with periods of more tempo workouts in the weeks that led up to the aforementioned marathons.

The yearly SCA picnic followed the November postal at a park adjacent to the track, where I distributed the Grand Prix Awards for the 2009 season. To qualify for a plaque, walkers had to compete in three or more of the Grand Prix races. The top three women were Soula Thomas (80–84), Yoko Eichel (60–64),

Detail Pasadena Santa Ana Huntington Beach

10K & 5K 20K & 5K

Mt. SAC, Walnut Riverside

10K, 5K track 5K

CTU Pasadena Mt. SAC, Walnut

1500m, 5K track

Rose Bowl

5K track 5K, 10K road 5K track

Sacramento

and Shirley Capps (70–74), while the first three men were Bill Moremen (80–84), Carl Acosta (75–79), and Rick Campbell (60–64).

Everyone but Rick broke the coveted 80% percentile barrier, and he came ever-so-close with a 78.36%. Next year for sure, Rick!

On this page is the 2010 SCA Grand Prix racewalk schedule as it currently stands. We welcome out-of-area athletes, so if you’re in the neighborhood, come race with us! Additional information about these events will soon be posted on the SCA website (scausatf.org), but if you prefer a more personal touch, don’t hesitate to contact me at 909.838.1078. L

right John Magnussen at the Senior Olympics 5K at Cal Tech University, Pasadena ja n ua ry — m a rc h 2 0 1 0 • c t & r n

Courtesy of John Magnussen

Grace Moreman

left Racewalkers at the SCA Grand Prix Awards Picnic

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