Running USA wire 59, July 25, 2010

Vega, McGregor lead USA Running Circuit standings; Kamba wins Rhythm City Casino Race for the Jackpot

DAVENPORT, Iowa - (July 24, 2010) - As midsummer thunderstorms blew through the Quad Cities, 2008 Olympic Marathon Trials champion Ryan Hall (Mammoth Lakes, Calif.) stormed past early race leader Antonio Vega (Minneapolis, Minn.) at five miles to take the men's title at the USA 7 Mile Championships, running 32 minutes, 55 seconds. In her professional road racing debut, Lisa Koll (Fort Dodge, Iowa) easily took the women's title clocking 37:52. The national championships were hosted Saturday for the second consecutive year by the Quad-City Times Bix 7, a Midwest summer road racing tradition.

After passing the first mile in 5:04, Vega, Scott Bauhs (Mammoth Lakes, Calif.) and James Carney (Boulder, Colo.), separated from the pack that included Hall, Ed Moran (Williamsburg, Va.) and Sean Quigley (Philadelphia). As the leading trio approached the turnaround point, Vega held a small lead over Bauhs.

Shortly before four miles, Vega began to pull away from Bauhs and looked to be on his way to his second USA title of the year (also half-marathon), but Hall, Moran and Quigley were working together to pass Carney and were closing in on Bauhs.

Shortly after passing five miles in 23:42, Vega was caught and passed by Hall, 27, who quickly opened a five meter gap. From there, the California native cruised down the Brady Street hill for his first U.S. title since the 2008 Olympic Marathon Trials and his fifth overall. Moran and Quigley also overtook Vega to finish second and third in 33:00 and 33:05 respectively. Vega held on for fourth in 33:08, while Carney finished fifth (33:21).

In the women's race, local favorite Koll (left, PhotoRun), 22, became the first woman from Iowa to win the Bix 7 since 1981 as the Iowa State grad cruised to a decisive win for her first USA road title at the 36th edition. Amy Hastings (Mammoth Lakes, Calif.) took the runner-up position in 38:33 with Andrea Walkonen (Boston, MA) taking third in 38:43. Rounding out the top 5 were 2008 Olympian Blake Russell (Pacific Grove, Calif.) and Lindsay Allen (Flagstaff, Ariz.) in 39:23 and 39:57 respectively.

The USA 7 Mile Championships, the sixth stop for men and the fifth for women on the 2010 USA Running Circuit (USARC), offered $50,000 in U.S. prize money with Hall and Koll taking home $12,500 or a 2010 automobile each as national champions.

The USARC, a USA Track & Field road series, features USA Championships from one mile to the marathon and attracts the best U.S. distance runners. The 2010 circuit features ten events each for men and women. Vega has retaken the lead in the men's standings with 32 points, while Katie McGregor (St. Louis Park, Minn.) tops the women with 30 points. For more information on the 2010 USA 7 Mile Championships and the USARC, visit: www.USARunningCircuit.com

Also at the 2010 Bix 7, Ashley Kamba won the 7th Rhythm City Casino Race for the Jackpot and took home $3600. Kamba, 24, had 2.4 mile head start on the field and Ryan Hall only sighted her as he neared the finish line. The local massage therapist "beat" race champion Hall by 2 minutes, 25 seconds. Contestants have now won 5 of 7 Jackpot "races".

36th Quad-City Times Bix 7: USA 7 Mile Championship
Davenport, IA, Saturday, July 24, 2010

MEN
1) Ryan Hall (CA), 32:55, $12,500 or 2010 automobile
2) Ed Moran (VA), 33:00, $4000
3) Sean Quigley (PA), 33:05, $2500
4) Antonio Vega (MN), 33:08, $1500
5) James Carney (CO), 33:21, $1000
6) Ian Burrell (AZ), 33:24, $900
7) Ben True (OR), 33:27, $800
8) Scott Bauhs (CA), 33:28, $700
9) Andrew Carlson (AZ), 33:35, $600
10) Bobby Mack (NC), 34:04, $500

WOMEN
1) Lisa Koll (IA), 37:52, $12,500 or 2010 automobile
2) Amy Hastings (CA), 38:33, $4000
3) Andrea Walkonen (MA), 38:43, $2500
4) Blake Russell (CA), 39:23, $1500
5) Lindsay Allen (AZ), 39:57, $1000
6) Erin Moeller (IA), 40:07, $900
7) Clara Peterson (CA), 40:09, $800
8) Kim Conley (CA), 40:13, $700
9) Emily Mortensen (MI), 40:39, $600
10) Zoila Gomez (CO), 41:10, $500

Full results and more at: www.bix7.com

VIP packages available to run with top U.S. runners at 2011 event; registration opens Tuesday, July 27

HOUSTON - (July 21, 2010) - The Houston Marathon Committee, in conjunction with presenting sponsor Aramco Services Company, announced that Houston will once again host the USA Half Marathon Championships. The 2011 edition of the USATF sanctioned event will be conducted on Saturday, January 29 at 8:00am, one day prior to the 39th Chevron Houston Marathon.

The 2011 Championships will be run on the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Marathon course, an eight-mile loop route designed to give athletes a preview of the Olympic Trials course. The national championships will also allow athletes to experience the Houston Marathon Committee's operating plans for the 2012 Olympic Trials. The top 150 male and female athletes are expected to compete in Houston next January.

"The decision by the Board of Directors to move the Championships to the day before our annual Sunday events will result in a truly memorable weekend of running for both participants and spectators," said Brant Kotch, Race Director and President of the Houston Marathon Committee. "Not only does it give our best American distance runners an opportunity to preview the 2012 Olympic Trials course under race conditions, it also allows our organizing committee to plan and test the 2012 format."

The 2011 USA Half Marathon Championships will mark Houston's seventh and fifth year to host the men's and women's races respectively.

Houston will host the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials - Marathon on Saturday, January 14, 2012, a first for a single city to host both the men's and women's events.

The general public will be given a unique opportunity to run with the professional athletes competing in the 2011 USA Half Marathon Championships. A limited number of VIP packages will be offered to the public during race registration that opens on Tuesday, July 27 at 6:00am CST. Details about the VIP packages can be found on the event website: www.houstonmarathon.com

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

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

Mercedes-Benz selected as official pace car for inaugural race; also U.S.-only prize purse

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - (July 21, 2010) - Officials of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge Half Marathon presented by Burke & Herbert Bank, slated for Sunday, September 19, announced its scenic course through a national park, over a new imposing bridge and around a new luxury resort while detailing a prize purse in excess of $8000 for the inaugural running.

"We're doing everything we can do to present a first-year race to our participants that has everything runners have come to expect from the decades-old established races," Steve Nearman, event founder and director, said after today's press conference.

Speeches were given by Burke & Herbert Bank & Trust Chairman/CEO E. Hunt Burke, Alexandria Mayor Bill Euille, Virginia Delegate David Englin, Race Director Kathy Dalby of Pacers Events and American Running Association Executive Director Dave Watt.

The destination half-marathon will begin at Mount Vernon in Alexandria, Virginia, travel up the George Washington Memorial Parkway and over the majestic Woodrow Wilson Bridge path. Once in Maryland, the USATF-certified 13.1-mile course will travel clockwise around National Harbor resort with sweeping vistas of the famed Potomac River and the bridge before ending at the river in front of the eclectic Awakening Statue.

The field is closing in on 3,000 entrants and is estimated to close out at 4,000 in the coming weeks. Registration and more can be found at: wilsonbridgehalf.com

The prize money totals more than $8000, and in support of U.S. distance running, nearly half the purse is U.S.-only money, starting with $800 for first American. The overall male and female winners will be awarded $1000.

The race will benefit six charity partners: the American Heart Association, Autism Speaks, Alice Ferguson Foundation, Child & Family Network Centers of Alexandria, Washington Area Women's Foundation and Back on My Feet - DC.

Leading the race will be a Mercedes-Benz pace car, which also will be present at packet pickups during race weekend. Westin National Harbor is the host hotel and race headquarters. And USA Track & Field has selected the race for its Mobile Marketing Tour, parking its colorful van at National Harbor and offering official USATF gear.

Officials also announced that AccelGel will be available on the course along with Powerade and water. All finishers will receive attractive and distinctive medals.

For more information, visit wilsonbridgehalf.com or call Steve Nearman at (703) 587-4321.

Event to bring safe, supported 20 mile marathon training event to the Chicago suburbs

After months of sweating, muscle fatigue and early mornings, runners across the Chicagoland area are finally beginning to see the faint outline of their fall marathon finish line. Countless miles and many pairs of shoes have led first-time and veteran marathoners to an ever-nearing race day - a culmination of a lot of hard work and mental toughness. But before they can take their 26.2 mile victory lap, runners must overcome one last training challenge - the 20 mile training run.

For a lot of athletes, an unassisted, solo 20 mile training run is one of the most dangerous runs they will ever go on. Without proper course support, this distance can punish even the most advanced runners. Luckily, there is no reason to attempt this feat on your own.

On Saturday, September 18, 2010, the Chicago suburbs will host their first-ever fully supported 20 mile training run. The event, appropriately named "20 Miler", will take place in the beautiful and much-acclaimed Busse Woods Forest Preserve in Elk Grove Village, IL.

"The last 20 mile run is considered to be the toughest part of marathon training, and that goes for first-timers and veterans alike, especially for a fall marathon. That 20 mile run will need to be done during the last few weeks of summer, when it can still be hot out," says 20 Miler race director Jonathan Cain. "By offering a run like this, we are able to supply runners with the Gatorade, water and safety they'll need, and also make them more comfortable in their race day routine before the big day."

The event, designed to mimic conditions in a Midwest marathon, will offer aid stations every one-and-a-half to two-miles. The course will be mostly shaded and parking is free. The training race is $35 and covers the cost of Gatorade, water, safety crew and race pacers. Runners will run in waves determined by their pace, thus allowing them to feel and consider their marathon pace accurately - another great advantage over running solo.

Finally, the event will bring an easily accessible race to suburban Chicagoans as well as allow Chicago racers the opportunity to experience the beautiful Busse Woods.

"Busse Woods is a great place for a long run. There is plenty of shade and lots to see and experience," continued Cain. "The route we have created also allows people to get in a 20 mile run without needing to stop at the light at Higgins Road. The free parking is a nice perk, too."

For more information, visit: www.20miler.com