(6-26-08) Strategies for successful running in warm weather
This is the time of year that endurance athletes must make some changes in their routines to adapt to the rising mercury. Whether planned races or recreational runs have you set to put in your miles under the sun, keep a few concepts in mind to ensure a safe and successful experience.
Keep it covered - wearing highly breathable light colored clothing, including hats will keep direct sunlight off you while enhancing the conductive cooling effects of your sweat by transporting that perspiration out to the atmosphere where it can cool you.
Nutrition and Hydration - It's assumed that you enter each training session and race in excellent nutritional standing. This means being fully hydrated with proper electrolyte balance. For further reading on this topic consult 'Endurance Sports Nutrition' from Human Kinetics.
Enhancing atmospheric cooling - One of the main methods of cooling the body is through the evaporation of moisture from the skin. To get a head start on this process begin by wetting your head and neck before a hot run and 'refreshing' yourself at each aid station to keep the cooling process going.
Practice Makes Perfect - After proper nutrition there is nothing as important as practicing for the conditions you will be encountering on race day. This can be done simply by selecting the part of the day that will have similar temperature and humidity to your event. For those traveling for races in climates significantly more warm and particularly humid you may have to get creative. Adding layers during runs is one way to challenge the body to accelerate it's internal cooling mechanisms. For those who expect exceptionally humid conditions on race day and live in arid climates, visiting a sauna for some riding on an exercise bike has been done by elite athletes in preparation for goal races in hot humid climates with success. Remember to use common sense when training and racing in the heat. If you ever experience the sensation of becoming chilled and covered with goose flesh while in summer conditions stop and seek medical attention. With respect for the heat and humidity and some specific training you can have success even in the warmest of conditions.
Long may you run,
Sean Coster
Complete Running Programs offers lactate threshold performance tests for runners and cyclists of various abilities. For more information check out this information on lactate testing.
For more writings on training, motivation and philosophies in distance running visit Sean's blog at www.seancoster.org/runningportland or www.crpusa.com
Copyright 2008 Complete Running Programs - May not be used without permission of the author.
Wildfires Force Cancellation of Western States 100-mile Endurance Run
(6-26-08) For the first time in the 35-year history of the Western States 100-mile Endurance Run, Mother Nature has force event organizers to cancel this year's event due to an unprecedented number of wildfires that have struck Northern California in recent days.
A release was posted on the Western States Web site announcing the heartbreaking news, citing numerous factors that contributed to the decision. Western States Board President Tim Twietmeyer and Race Director Greg Soderlund, who made the announcement, expressed their deepest apologies to the athletes that had planned on participating in the event this weekend (June 28-29, 2008).
From Press Release - "For all of you, today's news is disappointing. Since the lottery was held in December, you have trained with remarkable diligence and focus to get to this day. You have dreamed big and made countless personal sacrifices to prepare for one of the greatest days any trail runner can ever have. As a group, the Western States Board would like to commend you for your dedication and devotion not only to the preparation that is required for our race, but to the community of trail runners of which we are all a part. You are members of a special group, one that relishes challenge, constantly strives to improve the limits of what is believed possible, and seeks the special kindred spirits of others who revel in the beauty of our sport. We have been honored to have your name as part of our race's start list this year."
More: www.ws100.com
A release was posted on the Western States Web site announcing the heartbreaking news, citing numerous factors that contributed to the decision. Western States Board President Tim Twietmeyer and Race Director Greg Soderlund, who made the announcement, expressed their deepest apologies to the athletes that had planned on participating in the event this weekend (June 28-29, 2008).
From Press Release - "For all of you, today's news is disappointing. Since the lottery was held in December, you have trained with remarkable diligence and focus to get to this day. You have dreamed big and made countless personal sacrifices to prepare for one of the greatest days any trail runner can ever have. As a group, the Western States Board would like to commend you for your dedication and devotion not only to the preparation that is required for our race, but to the community of trail runners of which we are all a part. You are members of a special group, one that relishes challenge, constantly strives to improve the limits of what is believed possible, and seeks the special kindred spirits of others who revel in the beauty of our sport. We have been honored to have your name as part of our race's start list this year."
More: www.ws100.com
Ironman Oregon a Possibility
(6-25-08) Rumor has it that the World Triathlon Corporation is looking at staging an Ironman in Oregon in 2009. The event would be the final qualifier for the October 2009 Ironman Triathlon World Championship in Kona, HI.
According to an article that ran in yesterday's Forest Grove News-Times, Hagg Lake, the site of the 2007 and 2008 USAT Age Group National Triathlon Championships outside of Forest Grove, OR, is one of the venues being considered for the new event.
IronmanOregon.com has officially been registered by the World Triathlon Corporation, but nothing has been posted on the site to date. According to the article, officials from the Florida-based WTC will be visiting Oregon this summer to evaluate their options. Eugene and Bend are apparently also in the running to hold the event, but no decisions or additional information have been released at this time.
More: www.forestgrovenewstimes.com
According to an article that ran in yesterday's Forest Grove News-Times, Hagg Lake, the site of the 2007 and 2008 USAT Age Group National Triathlon Championships outside of Forest Grove, OR, is one of the venues being considered for the new event.
IronmanOregon.com has officially been registered by the World Triathlon Corporation, but nothing has been posted on the site to date. According to the article, officials from the Florida-based WTC will be visiting Oregon this summer to evaluate their options. Eugene and Bend are apparently also in the running to hold the event, but no decisions or additional information have been released at this time.
More: www.forestgrovenewstimes.com
Race Report: 2008 Blue Lake Olympic Triathlon
(6-17-08) Submitted by Dave Campbell - Always a fun and well-attended event, the Blue Lake Triathlon as become one of the most competitive races of the entire regional season, drawing top long and short course athletes from near and far. Considered the Northwest season opener, for most athletes it is the first open water swim of the year as well as the first Olympic-distance race. The course is flat on both bike and run, conducive to easing in newbies and letting the seasoned racers throw down some fast times in the 1500meter swim, 40k bike, and 10k run format. Race day was quite cool and overcast with just a slight breeze along the Columbia River for the cyclists. The water was a brisk 63 degrees, making for some slow transitions with cold hands. The air temperature was barely above 50 for the bike, but the cool conditions were well-suited to running. Before all of the 436 finishers had crossed the tape, the sun was out and the mercury rose nicely on a fabulous Father’s day of multisport competition.
First out of the water was Portland's Jeffrey Henderson in a SMOKIN' 18:30, trailed at over a minute by 16-year-old swim specialist Mark Guyler, perennial BLT contender Matt Berg, and Roger Thompson of Spokane. 36-year-old Thompson, fresh off his 9th place finish at Worlds, worked his way through most of the elite wave after starting in the second swim wave and took the lead midway through the bike with a blistering 56:09 for the 40k distance. Thompson, nearly two minutes ahead starting the run hung on to win by just over a minute from Henderson in an impressive 1:57:46. 26-year-old Ben Greenfield, also of Spokane, combined a 56:58 bike split and a 38:13 run to vault into third just 26 seconds back of Henderson. The fastest run of the day by far, a scintiallating 34:44, belonged to 27 year Ryan Rau of Brighton, MI, 90th out of the water, 30th after the bike, and breathing down my neck by the end to finish 8th overall. 42-year-old David Ciaverella of Happy Valley, OR, 7th off the bike, passed me at mile two and hung close the rest of the way to finish 5th overall and nab the top Masters spot.
Former Pro Sunny Gilbert of Corvallis dominated a stacked Women's field after being near the front of the men's race all day. 3th overall in 2:06:40, her 38:07 run was the 6th fastest overall. The early leader was Annie Warner of Nine Miles Falls, WA, also 6th best on the day with a swim of 20:26 but she was over two minutes back at the line. The third place finisher, 40-year-old Karen Oppenheimer of Bend, OR was also Women's Masters Champion. Team “Gone So Far”, consisting of Westyn, Mike, and Jeff Anke was the fastest relay in 2:28:10.
25-year-old John Banks of Portland topped 29 other Duathletes in 2:01:36, winning the race with a staggering 55:44 bike split. Doug Howe had the fastest 10k (the second run, the first being a 5k) in 38:53 but ran out of road finishing 29 seconds back. Dave Florence of Canby, third overall in 2:06:31 was the top Master. Continuing the theme of outstanding performances by women, 48 year old Lisa Magness of Bend was 4th overall in 2:07:44, winning the Overall womens title and the Masters crown. 35-year-old Laura Wiley of Camas, WA was second six minutes adrift.
Many of us are eagerly anticipating the next rendevouz of top Northwest Triathlon talent…the much-loved Pacific Crest July 27-29 in the resort community of Sunriver. There is something for everyone: 5k to Marathon runs, Duathlons and an Olympic Triathlon, and the feature event: yhe Half Iron Triathlon. I have raced in four countries and ten states and I have yet to find an event I enjoy more.
Keep training and I hope to see you there!
First out of the water was Portland's Jeffrey Henderson in a SMOKIN' 18:30, trailed at over a minute by 16-year-old swim specialist Mark Guyler, perennial BLT contender Matt Berg, and Roger Thompson of Spokane. 36-year-old Thompson, fresh off his 9th place finish at Worlds, worked his way through most of the elite wave after starting in the second swim wave and took the lead midway through the bike with a blistering 56:09 for the 40k distance. Thompson, nearly two minutes ahead starting the run hung on to win by just over a minute from Henderson in an impressive 1:57:46. 26-year-old Ben Greenfield, also of Spokane, combined a 56:58 bike split and a 38:13 run to vault into third just 26 seconds back of Henderson. The fastest run of the day by far, a scintiallating 34:44, belonged to 27 year Ryan Rau of Brighton, MI, 90th out of the water, 30th after the bike, and breathing down my neck by the end to finish 8th overall. 42-year-old David Ciaverella of Happy Valley, OR, 7th off the bike, passed me at mile two and hung close the rest of the way to finish 5th overall and nab the top Masters spot.
Former Pro Sunny Gilbert of Corvallis dominated a stacked Women's field after being near the front of the men's race all day. 3th overall in 2:06:40, her 38:07 run was the 6th fastest overall. The early leader was Annie Warner of Nine Miles Falls, WA, also 6th best on the day with a swim of 20:26 but she was over two minutes back at the line. The third place finisher, 40-year-old Karen Oppenheimer of Bend, OR was also Women's Masters Champion. Team “Gone So Far”, consisting of Westyn, Mike, and Jeff Anke was the fastest relay in 2:28:10.
25-year-old John Banks of Portland topped 29 other Duathletes in 2:01:36, winning the race with a staggering 55:44 bike split. Doug Howe had the fastest 10k (the second run, the first being a 5k) in 38:53 but ran out of road finishing 29 seconds back. Dave Florence of Canby, third overall in 2:06:31 was the top Master. Continuing the theme of outstanding performances by women, 48 year old Lisa Magness of Bend was 4th overall in 2:07:44, winning the Overall womens title and the Masters crown. 35-year-old Laura Wiley of Camas, WA was second six minutes adrift.
Many of us are eagerly anticipating the next rendevouz of top Northwest Triathlon talent…the much-loved Pacific Crest July 27-29 in the resort community of Sunriver. There is something for everyone: 5k to Marathon runs, Duathlons and an Olympic Triathlon, and the feature event: yhe Half Iron Triathlon. I have raced in four countries and ten states and I have yet to find an event I enjoy more.
Keep training and I hope to see you there!
Race Report: ITU Short Course World Championships
(6-10-08) Submitted by Dave Campbell - June-uary! That was the buzz-word for the cold, wet, windy weather that greeted 3000 triathletes at the 20th annual ITU Short Course World Championships this past weekend in Vancouver, British Columbia. The majority of the field, nearly 1700 of us, proudly wearing our respective national colors, competed Saturday, June 7 in age group waves at the Olympic Distance (1.5k Swim, 40k Bike, 10k Run). The United States fielded its largest team in history with 400 athletes flying the flag and nearly four dozen representing Oregon and Washington.
The uncharacteristic weather that had battered the Juniors and Sprint Distance athletes earlier in the week also plagued the Age Groupers. Race day was cloudy, cool, and very windy causing white caps to grow on the already frigid 55 degree waters of English Bay. Due to barely race-able water temps in what is an inlet off the Northern Pacific Ocean, the swim was shortened to 1000 meters. The bike was four twisting laps of the perimeter of the gorgeous and heavily wooded Stanley Park. The principal challenge was a kilometer long, 6% grade lap midway through each lap, and a roughly surfaced descent where speeds in excess of 40mph could be reached. The run was two mostly flat 3.6 laps followed by a short 2.7 km straight shot into the flag-lined finish chute. A short trail section rose up a small hill after transition and there were three turnarounds each lap on the serpentine course that wove back on itself giving runners ample opportunity to assess their position relative to the leaders.
672 athletes, all of the women's age groups up through the 50-54s, braved those rough waters with, in some cases, near disastrous consequences as even the support kayaks blew over as the wind blasted straight into the athletes faces. Many emerged hypothermic, were blown off course or were unable to crest the waves and make it around the wind-tossed buoys. The number of rescue boats seemed insufficient for the number of athletes needing assistance and disaster loomed. With Women 55 and over and all the men still remaining and the wind increasing (1030 athletes), officials made the difficult but necessary decision to re-format the race into a duathlon and delay the start by an hour and a half.
The Canadian race crew was extremely efficient and the athletes accepting of the new format and all seemed to embrace the new challenge as remarkably, the sun came out and the day warmed noticeably. The new first leg was a "3k run" that in reality was somewhere around 2500 meters and sent very tightly packed competitors onto the bike course making pass (and not drafting) quite a challenge.
Marti Reimer-Reiss of Bellingham crossed as first in the women's 35-39 division but her near seven minute margin of victory and ultra-fast run seemed to indicate she did only two of the three run laps, a sadly common problem on the congested course that plagued many groups. The Women's 40-44 group saw Tracy Orcutt of Seattle just miss a medal finishing fourth in 2:12:06 and Anne Jensen of Kirkland just 41 seconds behind in seventh. Bellingham's Kelly Molaski won Silver in the 50-54, just 19 seconds behind teammate Kim Cole from Maine. Lauren Binder of Portland scored bronze in the 60-64 women's race, and 45 seconds back in an impressive 2:13:32 and Ellouise Morse of Anacortes, WA was 5th in the 65-69 group.
Many top regional performances on the Men's side were kicked off by Portland Phenom Eric Lagerstrom scoring bronze in the Mens 18-19 group in 1:46:51. In just his first year of triathlon, the youngster recently came onto the local radar with a scintillating win at the Duck Bill Chill a couple weeks ago and has a bright future. Perennial strongman Roger Thompson of Spokane was 9th in the uber-competitive 35-39 group in 1:42:35, just 4:34 back of the winner. Northwest legend Patrick Wallace of Lake Oswego was 5th in the 50-54 group in 1:49:22, just 3:56 back of American winner Tony Schiller. Richard Holloway of Bellingham scored Gold in 1:57:50 in the 60-64 Men's group and Blake Willeford was 7th in the 65-69 group. Ageless wonder Lew Hollander of Bend claimed yet another medal, this time a silver in the Mens 75-79 age group in 2:39:49. The 20-24 and 25-29 mens groups, which featured top Nationals performer Jesse Thomas of Eugene, suffered many course miscues with results still being sorted out.
I had a solid race (1:48:25) to finish 24th in the 40-44 group, right behind Drew Magill of Sammamish (1:48:03 in 22nd) and Joel Kinnunen of Vancouver, WA (1:48:18 for 23rd). The experience and the atmosphere was nothing short of incredible and if you ever get the opportunity to represent our nation in international competition, take it! The honor, the camaraderie, and the super intense competition with the very best from all over the world make for an extremely special experience. Speaking of opportunity, the USAT Age Group Nationals are scheduled for September 20 at Hagg Lake in Forest Grove, OR with spots available for 2009 Worlds, which will be held on Australia's Gold Coast. I will see you at the region's next big event...the Blue Lake Triathlon this Sunday!
The uncharacteristic weather that had battered the Juniors and Sprint Distance athletes earlier in the week also plagued the Age Groupers. Race day was cloudy, cool, and very windy causing white caps to grow on the already frigid 55 degree waters of English Bay. Due to barely race-able water temps in what is an inlet off the Northern Pacific Ocean, the swim was shortened to 1000 meters. The bike was four twisting laps of the perimeter of the gorgeous and heavily wooded Stanley Park. The principal challenge was a kilometer long, 6% grade lap midway through each lap, and a roughly surfaced descent where speeds in excess of 40mph could be reached. The run was two mostly flat 3.6 laps followed by a short 2.7 km straight shot into the flag-lined finish chute. A short trail section rose up a small hill after transition and there were three turnarounds each lap on the serpentine course that wove back on itself giving runners ample opportunity to assess their position relative to the leaders.
672 athletes, all of the women's age groups up through the 50-54s, braved those rough waters with, in some cases, near disastrous consequences as even the support kayaks blew over as the wind blasted straight into the athletes faces. Many emerged hypothermic, were blown off course or were unable to crest the waves and make it around the wind-tossed buoys. The number of rescue boats seemed insufficient for the number of athletes needing assistance and disaster loomed. With Women 55 and over and all the men still remaining and the wind increasing (1030 athletes), officials made the difficult but necessary decision to re-format the race into a duathlon and delay the start by an hour and a half.
The Canadian race crew was extremely efficient and the athletes accepting of the new format and all seemed to embrace the new challenge as remarkably, the sun came out and the day warmed noticeably. The new first leg was a "3k run" that in reality was somewhere around 2500 meters and sent very tightly packed competitors onto the bike course making pass (and not drafting) quite a challenge.
Marti Reimer-Reiss of Bellingham crossed as first in the women's 35-39 division but her near seven minute margin of victory and ultra-fast run seemed to indicate she did only two of the three run laps, a sadly common problem on the congested course that plagued many groups. The Women's 40-44 group saw Tracy Orcutt of Seattle just miss a medal finishing fourth in 2:12:06 and Anne Jensen of Kirkland just 41 seconds behind in seventh. Bellingham's Kelly Molaski won Silver in the 50-54, just 19 seconds behind teammate Kim Cole from Maine. Lauren Binder of Portland scored bronze in the 60-64 women's race, and 45 seconds back in an impressive 2:13:32 and Ellouise Morse of Anacortes, WA was 5th in the 65-69 group.
Many top regional performances on the Men's side were kicked off by Portland Phenom Eric Lagerstrom scoring bronze in the Mens 18-19 group in 1:46:51. In just his first year of triathlon, the youngster recently came onto the local radar with a scintillating win at the Duck Bill Chill a couple weeks ago and has a bright future. Perennial strongman Roger Thompson of Spokane was 9th in the uber-competitive 35-39 group in 1:42:35, just 4:34 back of the winner. Northwest legend Patrick Wallace of Lake Oswego was 5th in the 50-54 group in 1:49:22, just 3:56 back of American winner Tony Schiller. Richard Holloway of Bellingham scored Gold in 1:57:50 in the 60-64 Men's group and Blake Willeford was 7th in the 65-69 group. Ageless wonder Lew Hollander of Bend claimed yet another medal, this time a silver in the Mens 75-79 age group in 2:39:49. The 20-24 and 25-29 mens groups, which featured top Nationals performer Jesse Thomas of Eugene, suffered many course miscues with results still being sorted out.
I had a solid race (1:48:25) to finish 24th in the 40-44 group, right behind Drew Magill of Sammamish (1:48:03 in 22nd) and Joel Kinnunen of Vancouver, WA (1:48:18 for 23rd). The experience and the atmosphere was nothing short of incredible and if you ever get the opportunity to represent our nation in international competition, take it! The honor, the camaraderie, and the super intense competition with the very best from all over the world make for an extremely special experience. Speaking of opportunity, the USAT Age Group Nationals are scheduled for September 20 at Hagg Lake in Forest Grove, OR with spots available for 2009 Worlds, which will be held on Australia's Gold Coast. I will see you at the region's next big event...the Blue Lake Triathlon this Sunday!
Worlds best athletes to compete Sunday at Prefontaine Classic
(6-5-08) From USATF Press Release - Allyson Felix, Alan Webb, Sanya Richards, Wallace Spearmon, LaShawn Merritt, Lauryn Williams, Torri Edwards, Brad Walker, Reese Hoffa and Suzy Powell are just a few of the big names slated to compete Sunday at the 2008 Prefontaine Classic at historic Hayward Field on the campus of the University of Oregon in Eugene.
The fourth event of USA Track & Field's 2008 Outdoor Visa Championship Series, the 34th Prefontaine Classic will be televised on Sunday, June 8, on NBC from 4-6 p.m. Eastern Time. The Pre Classic will serve as a preview of the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials - Track & Field, June 27 to July 6, also at Hayward Field.
Sprinters look to scorch Hayward track
The women's 100 meters will take center stage featuring a talented cast that includes 2005 World champion and 2007 World silver medalist Lauryn Williams, 2007 World Outdoor bronze medalist Carmelita Jeter and 2003 World champion and fourth-place finisher in 2007 Torri Edwards. Also watch for two-time World Outdoor 200m champion Allyson Felix, who posted the second-fastest time in the world this year with her 10.93 clocking in Doha on May 9. Keep an eye on the resurgent Muna Lee, whose career best time of 10.97 last week at the Reebok Classic in New York is sixth best in the world this season.
The men's 100 meters is a wide open affair featuring the reigning Olympic 200m gold medalist Shawn Crawford. 2007 World Outdoor Championships team member Mark Jelks will be in the field along with 2004 World Junior champion Ivory Williams. Michael Frater (Jamaica), Darrel Brown (Trinidad) and 2004 Olympic silver medalist Francis Obikwelu (Portugal) will add an international flavor to the event.
An outstanding field will enter the blocks for the men's 200 meters headlined by two-time World Outdoor Championships medalist and 2006 World Cup champion Wallace Spearmon, who posted the second-fastest time in the world this season with his win last weekend in New York in 20.07 seconds. Spearmon will face 2006 NCAA quadruple champion Xavier Carter, who owns the third-fastest time in history (19.63 in 2006). Also entered are 2007 World Outdoor Championships fourth-place finisher Rodney Martin and reigning Olympic champ Shawn Crawford.
Great fields featured in 400 meter races
2008 men's world leader and Osaka World Championships silver medalist LaShawn Merritt heads the men's field and three-time #1 world-ranked Sanya Richards leads the women in the 400m fields slated for Sunday.
Merritt, who posted the fastest time in the world this outdoor season of 44.03 seconds with his win June 1 over World and Olympic champion Jeremy Wariner in Berlin, will face a tough challenge in the men's race going up against reigning national outdoor champion and Osaka bronze medalist Angelo Taylor. Also in the field is 2007 World 400m hurdles champion Kerron Clement, World Championships and Olympic 4x400m relay gold medalist Darold Williamson and Gary Kikaya (Congo), who ended the 2007 campaign ranked #7 in the world.
Richards, who posted the five-fastest women's 400m times in the world last year and enters as the defending Pre Classic champion, will face reigning U.S. Outdoor champ Dee Dee Troter and 2007 World Championships finalist Mary Wineberg. 2007 NCAA Outdoor champion Natasha Hastings also is in the field, along with world ranked #4 Novlene Williams of Jamaica
Hayward Field favorites to compete in 800 meters
Oregon Track Club Elite member and Springfield, Ore., resident Nick Symmonds will look to defend his Prefontaine title in the men's race, and all-time two-lap great Maria Mutola will headline a strong women's field in 800m competition on Sunday.
Symmonds delighted the Hayward Field crowd at last year's sold-out Pre Classic when he stormed from behind in the final strides to upset Olympic gold medalist and 2007 World Outdoor Championships bronze medalist Yuriy Borzakovskiy of Russia.
Symmonds will have his hands full on Sunday dealing with his U.S. compatriot and constant nemesis Khadevis Robinson, who has been ranked #1 in the U.S. by Track & Field News the last three years. World ranked international competitors include Bahrain's Youssef Kamel (#5), Canadian record-holder Gary Reed (#9) and Kenya's Alfred Kirwa Yego (#7).
Five-time Olympian Maria Mutola, 35, of Mozambique is slated to compete in her final Pre Classic, bringing with her a remarkable streak of 15 consecutive victories dating back to when she was a student at Springfield (Ore.) High School. In honor of Mutola's accomplishments at the Prefontaine Classic, the meet will retire the No. 1 bib she has worn for the past 10 years. Instead of being issued to future athletes, the "1" bib will be the centerpiece of the Maria Mutola Outstanding Athlete Award, which will be presented for the first time immediately upon conclusion of the 2008 meet.
Mutola will face 2008 USA Indoor champion and Eugene resident Nicole Teter and three-time U.S. Outdoor champ and two-time Olympian Hazel Clark. Also in the field is two-time NCAA Outdoor champion Alice Schmidt, who ended the 2007 campaign ranked #3 in the U.S.
Stars aplenty in middle/long distance races
2007 Jesse Owens Award winner Bernard Lagat will compete in the 2-Mile race at Pre after becoming the first man in history to win the 1,500m and 5,000m at a single World Outdoor Championships last year in Osaka, Japan. Top Americans in the field include 2008 U.S. Olympic Team member in the marathon Dathan Ritzenhein, 2007 World Outdoor Championships 5,000m finalist Adam Goucher, two-time NCAA 5,000m champion Chris Solinsky and Jonathan Riley, who finished fourth in the 5,000m at the 2007 USA Outdoor Championships in Indianapolis. Top international stars include Australia's Craig Mottram and Shadrack Kosgei of Kenya.
A tremendous field will toe the line for the women's 1,500 meters, led by reigning World Outdoor champion Maryam Jamal of Bahrain, who enters the event ranked #1 in the world. She'll do battle with defending Pre champion Gelete Burka of Ethiopia, along with U.S. Outdoor champion Treniere Clement and Christin Wurth-Thomas, who posted the third-fastest time in the world this outdoor season with her runner-up finish in 4 minutes 4.94 seconds at the adidas Track Classic in Carson, Calif., on May 18.
The men's Bowerman mile will feature four of the top six ranked milers in the world led by Kenya's Daniel Komen, who is ranked #1 globally and is the defending Prefontaine champion. He'll face a strong challenge from U.S. mile record holder and reigning national outdoor 1,500m champion Alan Webb. Others to keep an eye on include world ranked international stars Tarek Boukensa of Algeria (#3) and Baharain standout Rashid Ramzi (#5). Also keep an eye on American Matt Tegenkamp, who placed fourth in the 5,000 meters at the 2007 World Outdoor Championships in Osaka.
The women's 5,000m story begins with the incomparable Mesaret Defar of Ethiopia, who is a world and Olympic champion, in addition to being the world record holder at this event. She'll be challenged by Kenya's Vivian Cheruiyot, who won the 5,000m silver medal at Osaka.
The men's 10,000m is a planned world-record attempt, headlined by reigning World and Olympic champion Kenenisa Bekele of Ethiopia, who ended the 2007 season ranked #1 in the world at both 3,000m and 10,000 meters. The top American in the race is Abdi Abdirahman, who placed seventh at the 2007 World Outdoor Championships after winning the U.S. title in that event for the third time in his career last June.
Vertical jumps, men's shot put highlight field events
Brad Walker and Bahamian Donald Thomas enter the Pre Classic ranked #1 in the world respectively in the men's pole vault and long jump and are considered the favorites in those events on Sunday in Eugene.
After winning the World Outdoor title and World Athletics Final, along with posting the top performance of the year and compiling a winning edge against his top rivals, Walker was an easy choice for the top spot in the world rankings for the men's pole vault at the end of the 2007 season. He'll face America's finest including national indoor and outdoor record holder Jeff Hartwig, reigning Olympic champion Tim Mack, 2006 USA Outdoor champion Russ Buller and 2004 Olympic finalist Derek Miles. Also keep an eye out for local fan favorite Tommy Skipper, who is a two-time U.S. Junior champion and three-time NCAA Outdoor champion as a student-athlete at the University of Oregon.
In winning the men's high jump last year at the NCAA Indoor and Outdoor Championships, in addition to the World Outdoor Championships in Osaka and the World Athletics Final, Donald Thomas proved that he can perform at his best when it matters most.
Americans challenging Thomas include World Outdoor Championships team member Jesse Williams, who ended last season ranked #8 in the world and reigning Pre champion and 2007 USA Indoor winner Tora Harris. 2008 World Indoor Championships bronze medalist and 2004 NCAA champion Andra Manson also is in the field, along with Russian stars Andrey Silnov, who ended last year ranked #7 in the world and Ivan Ukhov, who posted the best clearance in the world last year of 2.39 meters/7 feet 10 inches.
The world's three best men's shot putters will do battle on Sunday as 2007 U.S. and World Outdoor champion Reese Hoffa faces reigning Pre Classic champion and 2008 World Indoor gold medalist Christian Cantwell and 2007 World Champs silver medalist 2005 World Outdoor champion and two-time Olympic runner-up Adam Nelson. Fellow American Dan Taylor, who was the runner-up at last year's USA Outdoor Champs and ended the 2007 campaign ranked #6 in the world, could also challenge for top honors.
The women's discus throw is headlined by American record holder and defending national champion Suzy Powell, who will be looking to qualify for her third U.S. Olympic Team in a few weeks at the Trials in Eugene. Powell ended the 2007 season ranked #1 in the U.S. by T&FN for the first time since 1997.
Powell will face Stephanie Brown-Trafton, who posted the best throw in the world this season with her toss of 66.17 meters/217 feet 1 inch on May 8 in Salinas, Calif., which bettered her previous career best coming into this season by a whopping 14 feet. Brown-Trafton also threw 64.32m/211-0 earlier this year, which is sixth-best in the world in 2007. Also keep an eye on Vera Cechlova of the Czech Republic, who entered this season ranked #5 in the world.
Top 10 U.S. ranked women's hammer throwers Amber Campbell (#4), Bethany Hart (#6) and Britney Henry (#8) will challenger 2007 World champion Betty Heidler of Germany and Croatia's Ivana Brkljacic of Croatia, who ended the 2007 season ranked #4 in the world.
Tickets for the Prefontaine Classic are on sale online at goducks.com, from 1-800-WEBFOOT and in person at the Casanova Center Ticket Office. USATF welcomes you to pay with your Visa.
For more information on the 2008 Prefontaine Classic and USA Track & Field's Visa Championship Series, visit: www.usatf.org.
The fourth event of USA Track & Field's 2008 Outdoor Visa Championship Series, the 34th Prefontaine Classic will be televised on Sunday, June 8, on NBC from 4-6 p.m. Eastern Time. The Pre Classic will serve as a preview of the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials - Track & Field, June 27 to July 6, also at Hayward Field.
Sprinters look to scorch Hayward track
The women's 100 meters will take center stage featuring a talented cast that includes 2005 World champion and 2007 World silver medalist Lauryn Williams, 2007 World Outdoor bronze medalist Carmelita Jeter and 2003 World champion and fourth-place finisher in 2007 Torri Edwards. Also watch for two-time World Outdoor 200m champion Allyson Felix, who posted the second-fastest time in the world this year with her 10.93 clocking in Doha on May 9. Keep an eye on the resurgent Muna Lee, whose career best time of 10.97 last week at the Reebok Classic in New York is sixth best in the world this season.
The men's 100 meters is a wide open affair featuring the reigning Olympic 200m gold medalist Shawn Crawford. 2007 World Outdoor Championships team member Mark Jelks will be in the field along with 2004 World Junior champion Ivory Williams. Michael Frater (Jamaica), Darrel Brown (Trinidad) and 2004 Olympic silver medalist Francis Obikwelu (Portugal) will add an international flavor to the event.
An outstanding field will enter the blocks for the men's 200 meters headlined by two-time World Outdoor Championships medalist and 2006 World Cup champion Wallace Spearmon, who posted the second-fastest time in the world this season with his win last weekend in New York in 20.07 seconds. Spearmon will face 2006 NCAA quadruple champion Xavier Carter, who owns the third-fastest time in history (19.63 in 2006). Also entered are 2007 World Outdoor Championships fourth-place finisher Rodney Martin and reigning Olympic champ Shawn Crawford.
Great fields featured in 400 meter races
2008 men's world leader and Osaka World Championships silver medalist LaShawn Merritt heads the men's field and three-time #1 world-ranked Sanya Richards leads the women in the 400m fields slated for Sunday.
Merritt, who posted the fastest time in the world this outdoor season of 44.03 seconds with his win June 1 over World and Olympic champion Jeremy Wariner in Berlin, will face a tough challenge in the men's race going up against reigning national outdoor champion and Osaka bronze medalist Angelo Taylor. Also in the field is 2007 World 400m hurdles champion Kerron Clement, World Championships and Olympic 4x400m relay gold medalist Darold Williamson and Gary Kikaya (Congo), who ended the 2007 campaign ranked #7 in the world.
Richards, who posted the five-fastest women's 400m times in the world last year and enters as the defending Pre Classic champion, will face reigning U.S. Outdoor champ Dee Dee Troter and 2007 World Championships finalist Mary Wineberg. 2007 NCAA Outdoor champion Natasha Hastings also is in the field, along with world ranked #4 Novlene Williams of Jamaica
Hayward Field favorites to compete in 800 meters
Oregon Track Club Elite member and Springfield, Ore., resident Nick Symmonds will look to defend his Prefontaine title in the men's race, and all-time two-lap great Maria Mutola will headline a strong women's field in 800m competition on Sunday.
Symmonds delighted the Hayward Field crowd at last year's sold-out Pre Classic when he stormed from behind in the final strides to upset Olympic gold medalist and 2007 World Outdoor Championships bronze medalist Yuriy Borzakovskiy of Russia.
Symmonds will have his hands full on Sunday dealing with his U.S. compatriot and constant nemesis Khadevis Robinson, who has been ranked #1 in the U.S. by Track & Field News the last three years. World ranked international competitors include Bahrain's Youssef Kamel (#5), Canadian record-holder Gary Reed (#9) and Kenya's Alfred Kirwa Yego (#7).
Five-time Olympian Maria Mutola, 35, of Mozambique is slated to compete in her final Pre Classic, bringing with her a remarkable streak of 15 consecutive victories dating back to when she was a student at Springfield (Ore.) High School. In honor of Mutola's accomplishments at the Prefontaine Classic, the meet will retire the No. 1 bib she has worn for the past 10 years. Instead of being issued to future athletes, the "1" bib will be the centerpiece of the Maria Mutola Outstanding Athlete Award, which will be presented for the first time immediately upon conclusion of the 2008 meet.
Mutola will face 2008 USA Indoor champion and Eugene resident Nicole Teter and three-time U.S. Outdoor champ and two-time Olympian Hazel Clark. Also in the field is two-time NCAA Outdoor champion Alice Schmidt, who ended the 2007 campaign ranked #3 in the U.S.
Stars aplenty in middle/long distance races
2007 Jesse Owens Award winner Bernard Lagat will compete in the 2-Mile race at Pre after becoming the first man in history to win the 1,500m and 5,000m at a single World Outdoor Championships last year in Osaka, Japan. Top Americans in the field include 2008 U.S. Olympic Team member in the marathon Dathan Ritzenhein, 2007 World Outdoor Championships 5,000m finalist Adam Goucher, two-time NCAA 5,000m champion Chris Solinsky and Jonathan Riley, who finished fourth in the 5,000m at the 2007 USA Outdoor Championships in Indianapolis. Top international stars include Australia's Craig Mottram and Shadrack Kosgei of Kenya.
A tremendous field will toe the line for the women's 1,500 meters, led by reigning World Outdoor champion Maryam Jamal of Bahrain, who enters the event ranked #1 in the world. She'll do battle with defending Pre champion Gelete Burka of Ethiopia, along with U.S. Outdoor champion Treniere Clement and Christin Wurth-Thomas, who posted the third-fastest time in the world this outdoor season with her runner-up finish in 4 minutes 4.94 seconds at the adidas Track Classic in Carson, Calif., on May 18.
The men's Bowerman mile will feature four of the top six ranked milers in the world led by Kenya's Daniel Komen, who is ranked #1 globally and is the defending Prefontaine champion. He'll face a strong challenge from U.S. mile record holder and reigning national outdoor 1,500m champion Alan Webb. Others to keep an eye on include world ranked international stars Tarek Boukensa of Algeria (#3) and Baharain standout Rashid Ramzi (#5). Also keep an eye on American Matt Tegenkamp, who placed fourth in the 5,000 meters at the 2007 World Outdoor Championships in Osaka.
The women's 5,000m story begins with the incomparable Mesaret Defar of Ethiopia, who is a world and Olympic champion, in addition to being the world record holder at this event. She'll be challenged by Kenya's Vivian Cheruiyot, who won the 5,000m silver medal at Osaka.
The men's 10,000m is a planned world-record attempt, headlined by reigning World and Olympic champion Kenenisa Bekele of Ethiopia, who ended the 2007 season ranked #1 in the world at both 3,000m and 10,000 meters. The top American in the race is Abdi Abdirahman, who placed seventh at the 2007 World Outdoor Championships after winning the U.S. title in that event for the third time in his career last June.
Vertical jumps, men's shot put highlight field events
Brad Walker and Bahamian Donald Thomas enter the Pre Classic ranked #1 in the world respectively in the men's pole vault and long jump and are considered the favorites in those events on Sunday in Eugene.
After winning the World Outdoor title and World Athletics Final, along with posting the top performance of the year and compiling a winning edge against his top rivals, Walker was an easy choice for the top spot in the world rankings for the men's pole vault at the end of the 2007 season. He'll face America's finest including national indoor and outdoor record holder Jeff Hartwig, reigning Olympic champion Tim Mack, 2006 USA Outdoor champion Russ Buller and 2004 Olympic finalist Derek Miles. Also keep an eye out for local fan favorite Tommy Skipper, who is a two-time U.S. Junior champion and three-time NCAA Outdoor champion as a student-athlete at the University of Oregon.
In winning the men's high jump last year at the NCAA Indoor and Outdoor Championships, in addition to the World Outdoor Championships in Osaka and the World Athletics Final, Donald Thomas proved that he can perform at his best when it matters most.
Americans challenging Thomas include World Outdoor Championships team member Jesse Williams, who ended last season ranked #8 in the world and reigning Pre champion and 2007 USA Indoor winner Tora Harris. 2008 World Indoor Championships bronze medalist and 2004 NCAA champion Andra Manson also is in the field, along with Russian stars Andrey Silnov, who ended last year ranked #7 in the world and Ivan Ukhov, who posted the best clearance in the world last year of 2.39 meters/7 feet 10 inches.
The world's three best men's shot putters will do battle on Sunday as 2007 U.S. and World Outdoor champion Reese Hoffa faces reigning Pre Classic champion and 2008 World Indoor gold medalist Christian Cantwell and 2007 World Champs silver medalist 2005 World Outdoor champion and two-time Olympic runner-up Adam Nelson. Fellow American Dan Taylor, who was the runner-up at last year's USA Outdoor Champs and ended the 2007 campaign ranked #6 in the world, could also challenge for top honors.
The women's discus throw is headlined by American record holder and defending national champion Suzy Powell, who will be looking to qualify for her third U.S. Olympic Team in a few weeks at the Trials in Eugene. Powell ended the 2007 season ranked #1 in the U.S. by T&FN for the first time since 1997.
Powell will face Stephanie Brown-Trafton, who posted the best throw in the world this season with her toss of 66.17 meters/217 feet 1 inch on May 8 in Salinas, Calif., which bettered her previous career best coming into this season by a whopping 14 feet. Brown-Trafton also threw 64.32m/211-0 earlier this year, which is sixth-best in the world in 2007. Also keep an eye on Vera Cechlova of the Czech Republic, who entered this season ranked #5 in the world.
Top 10 U.S. ranked women's hammer throwers Amber Campbell (#4), Bethany Hart (#6) and Britney Henry (#8) will challenger 2007 World champion Betty Heidler of Germany and Croatia's Ivana Brkljacic of Croatia, who ended the 2007 season ranked #4 in the world.
Tickets for the Prefontaine Classic are on sale online at goducks.com, from 1-800-WEBFOOT and in person at the Casanova Center Ticket Office. USATF welcomes you to pay with your Visa.
For more information on the 2008 Prefontaine Classic and USA Track & Field's Visa Championship Series, visit: www.usatf.org.
Inaugural Cascade Lakes Relay to Close Registration June 30
(6-4-08) Organizers of the inaugural Cascade Lakes Relay, Diamond Lake to Bend, Oregon have announced that they will close registration for the event on Monday, June 30. According to event organizers the event has had a great response and registration for the first-year relay is progressing well. The decision to close registration one month before the race was prompted by the desire of the race committee to provide a great experience for all participants and cut down on late registration, which can cause logistical and planning issues for many races each year.
The two-day event will start at Diamond Lake on August 1 and continue through the day and night along a 217-mile route through Central Oregon finishing in the Planned Community of Northwest Crossing in Bend.
Additional information and registration details can be found at www.cascadelakesrelay.com.
The two-day event will start at Diamond Lake on August 1 and continue through the day and night along a 217-mile route through Central Oregon finishing in the Planned Community of Northwest Crossing in Bend.
Additional information and registration details can be found at www.cascadelakesrelay.com.
Seattle's Tony Young Sets New Masters (M45) Mile Record
(6-2-08) 46-year-old Club Northwest runner Tony Young of Seattle set a new world record in the M45 division clocking 4:16.09 on Saturday, May 31 at the Portland Track Festival at Mt Hood Community College. The previous WR was set by David Sirl of New Zealand in 1987, which was 4:16.75.
The field in the Masters Mile at the Portland Track Festival was full of top masters runners from the Western U.S. including Nolan Shaheed of Pasadena who narrowly missed the M55 WR on Saturday, but does hold the American record in the mile, which he set in Canby, OR last year with a time of 4:42.70.
See video below, courtesy of RunnerSpace.com
2008 Invitational Mile Results
Name Age Hometown Club TIME
Tony Young 46 Seattle, WA Club NW 4:16.09
Pete Magill 46 Pasadena, CA Fluffy Bunny TC 4:21.34
Jonathan Swanson 36 McMinnville, OR 4:22.84
Jeff Mann 44 Reno, NV Pacific Striders 4:34.69
Kevin Paulk 47 Portland, OR Bowerman AC 4:36.76
David Cannon 51 Seattle, WA Club NW 4:37.34
Eric Hartmann 40 Portland, OR 4:39.08
Sid Sullivan 42 Boise, ID Asics Aggies 4:43.18
Nolan Shaheed 58 Pasadena, CA So Cal Fleet Feet 4:43.85
Kurt Stevens 45 Damascas, OR 4:47.32
Roy Kissin 51 Larkspur, CA 4:50.19
Thom Burleson 56 Indianapolis, IN So Cal Fleet Feet 4:50.92
Scott Ball 45 Lake Oswego, OR 5:06.89
The field in the Masters Mile at the Portland Track Festival was full of top masters runners from the Western U.S. including Nolan Shaheed of Pasadena who narrowly missed the M55 WR on Saturday, but does hold the American record in the mile, which he set in Canby, OR last year with a time of 4:42.70.
See video below, courtesy of RunnerSpace.com
2008 Invitational Mile Results
Name Age Hometown Club TIME
Tony Young 46 Seattle, WA Club NW 4:16.09
Pete Magill 46 Pasadena, CA Fluffy Bunny TC 4:21.34
Jonathan Swanson 36 McMinnville, OR 4:22.84
Jeff Mann 44 Reno, NV Pacific Striders 4:34.69
Kevin Paulk 47 Portland, OR Bowerman AC 4:36.76
David Cannon 51 Seattle, WA Club NW 4:37.34
Eric Hartmann 40 Portland, OR 4:39.08
Sid Sullivan 42 Boise, ID Asics Aggies 4:43.18
Nolan Shaheed 58 Pasadena, CA So Cal Fleet Feet 4:43.85
Kurt Stevens 45 Damascas, OR 4:47.32
Roy Kissin 51 Larkspur, CA 4:50.19
Thom Burleson 56 Indianapolis, IN So Cal Fleet Feet 4:50.92
Scott Ball 45 Lake Oswego, OR 5:06.89
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