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More Running News;
some new, some old
Visit the Archives page for previous stories and features. Also, the Side Trips section has news added throughout the week.
Tyler Rose marathon course is set
Lewis George, owner of Mellew Productions, earlier had announced the inaugural Tyler Rose Marathon, which includes a half and 5K, is set for October 10. The course wasn't set then, but now it's ready. George, who produces the Big D Marathon and the Texas Half among other events, is no stranger to Tyler as he has produced the Tyler Azalea 10K the past 10 years and the Tyler Half the past three. Read about the Rose.
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New White Rock 5K to benefit police officer's family
After a training accident in 2009, the family of Dallas Police Officer Alex Garcia has been facing financial burdens because of expenses not covered by insurance. The 1st Annual White Rock 5K on April 10 will help raise funds for the family. Read more about the race.
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All Saints Mile being revived in May
For a couple of years, the Lancaster Mile in Fort Worth tried to duplicate the old Old Saints Mile that lured many elite runners because of prize money. The Lancaster Mile enjoyed moderate success, but ended the event last year. Now, the Baylor All Saints Mile has been scheduled in May with the hope of reviving the old race that was hugely popular. Again, prize money will be offered and, by being in May, the grade school divisions promise to be well attended and competitive. Read more about the event.
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Houston to be host for 2012 U.S. men and women marathon trials
The site of some of the most historic U.S. half-marathon performances and host of the 1992 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for the women's marathon, Houston will host the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Men's and Women's Marathon, USA Track & Field and the United States Olympic Committee announced March 1.
The 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials will be in Houston on Saturday, January 14, 2012, a day before the 40th anniversary of the Chevron Houston Marathon. The races will determine the three men and three women who will represent the United States in the marathon at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, and it is the first time a single city has been chosen for both races at the same Olympic Trials.
USA Track & Field's site selection committee, comprised of USATF committee chairs, elite athletes and staff, tapped Houston to host both races. Boston and New York had each bid to host one Olympic Trials race. The USATF Board of Directors approved the decision at its weekend meeting in Albuquerque, N.M. and the USOC has green-lighted the award.
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Relay added for first Rock 'n' Roll Dallas Half
The Rock ‘n’ Roll Dallas Half Marathon, benefiting Susan G. Komen for the Cure, is set for its inaugural running on Sunday, March 14, 2010. Platinum rock band Better Than Ezra will headline the post-race concert while half-marathon finishers and two-person relay teams celebrate their accomplishments. The Rock ‘n’ Roll Relay is a new addition to the 13.1-mile course and will begin at the same time as the half-marathon start, featuring 7.1 mile first leg and 6-mile second leg with the DART Mockingbird Station marking the transition point.
“The Rock ‘n’ Roll Relay adds a fun element to the event and enables runners of all levels to experience a half-marathon with a friend or family member,” said Katrina McGee, Vice-President of Global Partnerships for Komen for the Cure. “And I can’t help but think how nicely this ties to Komen’s mission. We were founded on a promise between TWO sisters. Similarly, Rock ‘n Roll Relay partners will make a promise to each other while raising funds and awareness for the fight against breast cancer.”
The first relay runner will start the race in normal fashion and run or walk to the exchange point at mile 7.1. After the exchange, the runner will be directed to the DART Mockingbird Station to take a train to the finish line at Fair Park. The second runner will go to Fair Park on race morning and take the train to the relay exchange point at Mockingbird Station. Both relay participants will receive a race technical t-shirt, relay medal and each team member will receive a commemorative Rock ‘n’ Roll drumstick race baton. Relay registration is open online at dallas.competitor.com and entry fees are $75 per relay participant until March 7. Registration will also be available at the Health & Fitness Expo at the Dallas Convention Center.
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Cowtown schedules new run
The Cowtown has scheduled a 5K/1mile run on Sept. 25, 2010. Executive Director Heidi Swartz said the event is in the planning stages and the route details have yet to be finalized. The 5K will be timed and the 1-mile will be a fun run. The event's name is The Cowtown C.A.L.F. 5K/1Mile Run and will kick off the training programs at all of the local schools that participate in The Cowtown Kids 5K in February. Swartz said it will give the youngsters an opportunity to experience a smaller race and a shorter distance as they prepare to start training for a 5K. Proceeds from the event will help underwrite the scholarships and running shoes that The Cowtown gives out.
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2009 was banner year for marathon finishers
There were nearly 468,000 marathon finishes in the USA in 2009 - an increase of approximately 9.9% over 2008, according to MarathonGuide.com. That's the largest year-to-year growth in finisher numbers since MarathonGuide.com began keeping industry records in 2000 and surpasses even the year-to-year growth seen in the abnormal year of 2001 to 2002 when travel and finisher numbers were down in 2001 after 9/11, leading to the unrealistic growth percentage in 2002. As has been the trend, women continued to make up a higher percentage of the total finishers, reaching a record 40.5% of finishers in 2009. MediaGuide.com is finishing its reports and will have the full report before the end of January. Visit www.marathonguide.com.
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New run set for Cowboys Stadium
It probably was just a matter of time before a running event was scheduled at Cowboys Stadium, the Taj Mahal of football stadiums. And it has happened. America's Run 2010 is slated April 10-11. A kid 1-mile run is scheduled April 10, and there are scheduled to be appearances by the Cowboys and cheerleaders at the event that also includes a FitFest, among other activities. On Sunday, April 11, a half marathon and 5K are scheduled. Runners can see themselves on the big HD screen as they finish inside the stadium. Lifestyle booths and entertainment is scheduled with a ''headline'' performer. Sounds like fun, but it will be pricey. Early registration for the half is $100 and $30 for the 5K. You can check out the event at www.americasrun.com. The event is conflicting with The Big D Marathon on April 11 at Fair Park in Dallas. That event also includes a half and a 5K, but at much cheaper fees. The early half fee there is only $50 and the early marathon fee is $70.
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Rock 'n Roll Dallas Half Marathon to benefit Susan G. Komen For Cure
The Competitor Group, Inc. announced Nov. 29 a new partnership with Susan G. Komen for the Cure as the official national charity of the inaugural Rock 'n’ Roll Dallas Half Marathon. The event will take place Sunday, March 14, 2010 and will be named the Rock 'n’ Roll Dallas Half Marathon benefiting Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
With global headquarters in Dallas, Susan G. Komen for the Cure is the world’s largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and advocates dedicated to discovering and delivering the cures. Through the Marathon for the Cure program, long-distance runners and walkers can join the fight against breast cancer by participating in events like the Rock ‘n’ Roll Dallas Half Marathon. Funds raised through the program support groundbreaking research and community outreach in the more than 18,000 communities Komen and its Affiliates serve in the U.S. and around the world.
“We are excited to partner with the Competitor Group for the inaugural Rock ‘n’ Roll Dallas Half Marathon,” said Katrina McGhee, Vice President of Global Partnerships for Susan G. Komen for the Cure. “By participating in this event and the Marathon for the Cure program, runners and walkers can truly make a difference in the fight against breast cancer."
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Bib tags with chips;
not a new idea but a new venture
When Marty Leicht operated Integrated Racing Systems in the Metroplex for several years, he tried for almost two years to implement a timing system that included a throwaway computer chip attached to a runner's bib. But he was unable to iron out a few glitches that prevented it from being reliable and he retired from the business before he could solve the problems. But apparently there will be a similar timing system in place by early next year. The MYLAPS Run BibTag System was introduced recently in New York. One of the differences in this and Leicht's system is this new one uses mats to read the chips while Leicht's used readers positioned on each side of the finish chutes. Leicht saw the benefits for race directors for having such a system; by having the tag integrated in the bib, the simplicity requires zero instructions to runners and ultimately leads to more accurate, reliable and complete results on the race day.
Ruben Saguil reported that the Carrollton Runners Club already uses a similar system (InstantView Hip Chip), but runners can reuse their bibs for each of the club's runs. He said the Tour de Branch was the first race to use the bib chip and The Colony Veterans 10K was the first to be split timed. His said his system uses the vertical antenna for now. The UHF chip is on a laminated reusable bib. Regular club runners can use the same bib. Each runner just needs to attach the bib on their left or right hip depending on where the antenna is placed. "The great thing about our system is that each finisher instantly sees their results on a computer and any typos or correction can be done quickly." To see how this works, participate in the club's run on Nov. 22.
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FWRC Labor Day 15K to be host
for 2010 15K SW Regional Championship
The Road Runners Club of America has selected the FWRC Labor Day 15K as the 2010 Southwest Regional Championship race. Race director Elizabeth Mendiola was informed of the news on Thursday (Oct. 22). This past Labor Day, the 15K had been designated as the RRCA State Championship.
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Masters can run for USATF awards
USA Track & Field (USATF) has announced enhancements to the 
Phidippides Award program, a participatory recognition award for masters athletes (40+ years). The award was initiated in 2008 in partnership with National Masters News in an effort to provide the "every day" runner with the opportunity to be recognized by USATF.
Award winners will now receive an attractive plaque engraved with their name and award level (gold, silver, bronze). The awards are free to those earning enough points to qualify. The improvements to the award are made possible through a partnership with Hasty Awards (Ontario, Kan.), the official supplier of medals and awards to USATF.
The Phidippides Award recognizes individuals for their participation in road races. ``Rather than simply rewarding the speed of someone's performance in a given race, we are rewarding athletes for the number of times they cross the finish line in races throughout the country," said Don Lein, USATF Masters Long Distance Running Chair.
In 2008, 70 athletes were recognized with Phidippides Awards. This number is expected to increase substantially with the improved award and increased awareness. To earn points toward one of the Phidippides Awards. a runner must be a 2009 USATF member; and compete in road races that use USATF certified courses. Athletes earn points based on their age and the number of races they finish during the 2009 calendar year. For more information on the Phidippides Award visit www.usatf.org/groups/RoadRunning.
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Libby Jones selected as RRCA North Texas rep
Libby Jones, former president of the Dallas Running Club, has been appointed as the RRCA North Texas State Representative in 2009, replacing Kelly Richards. Richards (K2) has been the state rep for the past three years and is moving into a Director-At-Large on the RRCA Board. Read more in the May newsletter.
Olympic Trials marathon hopefuls for 2012 will have to go a little faster to qualify because of changes by the USA Track and Field. The USATF has eliminated the "A'' and "B'' standards and has adjusted the qualifying time to 2:19:00. Runners also will qualify with a half marathon time of 1:05:00 or a 28:30 10,000-meter track time. Also, the top 10 finishers in the U.S. marathon championships will be allowed into the trials if they can post at least a 2:22:00.
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Olympians Anthony Famiglietti (Knoxville, Tenn.) and Amy Yoder Begley (Portland, Ore.) each won close races for the respective men's and women's national titles Saturday (March 14, 2009) at the USA 15K Championships in Jacksonville, Fla. Famiglietti used a last-second burst of speed to hold off Tim Nelson (Portland, Ore.), running 43 minutes, 36 seconds to win the men's race by one second, while Yoder Begley kicked past Katie McGregor (St. Louis Park, Minn.) in the final 400 meters to win the women's race by six seconds in 49:51. This marks the 16th year that the national championship has been hosted by the Gate River Run, the country's largest 15K.
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Running USA has released the top 10 moments in long distance running for 2008. See the list.
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