(7-30-08) Courtesy Running USA wire #61-07-08, From Jim Estes, USATF - For the eighth year in a row on Saturday, July 26, the White River 50 Mile in Crystal Mountain, Wash. was the site of the USATF 50 Mile Trail Championship. The course, sporting spectacular views along the White River and on the Noble Knob Trail in the Norse Peak Wilderness, claims a total of 17,600 feet elevation change.
This year's record field included 238 starters and 202 finishers, which is a reflection of the excellent job done by race director Scott McCoubrey and his staff of volunteers and associates from the Seattle Running Company.
This year's race saw the early men's field packed tightly. At 17 miles at Corral Pass, Jason Bryant (Elkin, N.C.) led the charge, feeling that the pace was relaxed. Bryant most recently represented the United States at the NACAC Mountain Championships in Mexico. In tow were a "Who's Who" of trail ultra running including 2008 USA 50K and 100K champion Michael Wardian (Arlington, Va.), 2007 USA 50K and 100K champion Greg Crowther and a host of others, all highly credentialed and deserving of front pack attendance. The split for the first 10 runners was about 3 minutes.
At the 27 mile aid station, Wardian appeared first, coming through the aid station 3 minutes ahead of Jasper Halekas (Oakland, Calif.). Wardian, the fastest marathoner in the group, used his superior leg speed to catch and break away from the field during the long four-mile descent down the Ranger Creek Trail.
After a long climb to Sun Top, with the massive Mt. Rainer in the backdrop, Wardian fought his way up the rugged single track trail and to the aid station at the top. This time he was followed closely by Adam Lint (Indiana, Pa.), just a minute back. Lint worked hard climbing, closing the distance on Wardian.
Wardian gained the final choke hold on the field on the long downhill from Sun Top to the turn at Skookum Flats, a 6.4 mile dirt road, where he opened up and let his leg speed dispose of the field, building an additional 5 minutes on his lead over Lint.
Wardian charged up the rocky trail over the final six miles to seal his win by just under seven minutes. His time of 6 hours, 52 minutes, 50 seconds was third fastest in race history. Lint finished a strong second in 6:59:36, with Halekas (Oakland, Calif.) finishing third in 7:04:25.
The women's race turned out to be a slugfest between marathon specialist Susannah Beck (Eugene, Ore.) and Kami Semick (Bend, Ore.). At the same time the men's lead pack formed a train and pulled up the hill to Corral Pass, Beck, 40, was the caboose of the men's lead pack, coming through the 17 mile mark just 2 minutes 35 seconds behind the men's leader. Semick, 42, was seven minutes back of Beck. While Beck appeared to be working hard but running strongly, Semick looked relaxed and stayed on a pre-planned pace for a prescribed finish time she believed would be good enough for the win.
By the 27 mile aid station, Semick had cut the lead to just under two minutes, as she used her great downhill technique to make up ground on Beck. On the climb up to Sun Top, Semick caught and passed Beck. It took Beck nearly 3/4 of the 6.4 mile descent to catch and pass Semick again. At the turn on to Skookum Flats and into the final six miles along the White River, Beck had a minute lead over Semick. At that point, Beck, the 1998 USA 12K champion, ran hard along the rocky trail all the way to the finish, building over a 10 minute lead over Semick.
Beck's finishing time of 7:32:12 was a new women's course record by seven minutes, eclipsing that of Nikki Kimball set at the 2007 race. Semick's second place 7:42:54 turned out to be the fourth-fastest women's time in race history, and also Semick's fastest on the course in her three White River appearances. Annie Thiessen (Tacoma, Wash.) finished third in 8:29:45.
The race also served as USATF Masters National 50 Mile Trail Championship and awards were given to age group winners in five-year increments (40-44, 45-49, etc.). William Emerson (Portland, Ore.) won the men's Masters age division in 7:30:21, while women's overall winner Beck was crowned women's Masters champion.
White River 50 Mile Trail Run: USA Trail Championships
Crystal Mountain, WA, Saturday, July 26, 2008
MEN
1) Michael Wardian (VA), 6:52:50, $1000
2) Adam Lint (PA), 6:59:36, $600
3) Jasper Halekas (CA), 7:04:25, $300
4) Greg Crowther (WA), 7:07:39, $200
5) Aaron Heidt (CAN), 7:08:20
6) John Berta (WA), 7:14:00
7) Josh Brimhall (NV), 7:14:53, $100
8) Jonathan Basham (PA), 7:16:58
9) William Emerson, 44, OR, 7:30:21, $700
10) Matt Lonergan (OR), 7:36:54
MASTERS Men (40+)
1) Emerson, see above
2) Mark Lantz, 43, CA, 7:52:34, $400
3) Ralph Pooler, 41, WA, 8:06:36
4) Alex Swenson, 44, WA, 8:21:13, $250
WOMEN
1) Susannah Beck, 40, OR, 7:32:12*, $1700
2) Kami Semick, 42, OR, 7:42:54, $1000
3) Annie Thiessen (WA), 8:29:45, $300
4) Nicola Gildersleeve (CAN), 8:34:35
5) Alison Hanks (WA), 8:36:37, $200
6) Kendra Ralstin, 40, WA, 8:51:07, $350
7) Shawn Lawson (WA), 8:51:12
8) Laura Gould (WA), 8:53:20
9) Gwen Scott, 41, WA, 8:55:56, $150
10) Darla Brader (OR), 9:20:21
*course record (previous record, 7:39:35, Nikki Kimball, 2007)
MASTERS Women (40+)
1) Beck, see above
2) Semick, see above
3) Ralstin, see above
4) Scott, see above
For complete results CLICK HERE
Ironman 70.3 Lake Stevens Moves to August - Registration Now Open
(7-30-08) From Press Release - Registration is now open for the 2009 Ironman 70.3 Lake Stevens Triathlon. After the success of the 2008 event and the exciting finish in the men's race, Premier Event Management is proud to announce that the Lake Stevens stop on the 70.3 series is back.
Moving to August 16 in 2009, the Lake Stevens 70.3 will once again offer athletes the opportunity to race on one of the most challenging race courses in the county.
The 2009 Ironman 70.3 Lake Stevens Triathlon is limited to 1,500 competitors! Don't delay ... register today!
If you have any questions about the race, please email ashleypemusa@yahoo.com
Additional information: www.lakestevens703.com
Moving to August 16 in 2009, the Lake Stevens 70.3 will once again offer athletes the opportunity to race on one of the most challenging race courses in the county.
The 2009 Ironman 70.3 Lake Stevens Triathlon is limited to 1,500 competitors! Don't delay ... register today!
If you have any questions about the race, please email ashleypemusa@yahoo.com
Additional information: www.lakestevens703.com
Run Smarter: Maximizing the Minute - RCNW August eNewsletter
(7-29-08) For runners, minutes come and minutes go. Some feel like hours and others like seconds - reflecting our state of body and mind at that moment in time. Little real benefit is typically attached to any ONE minute of running. When it comes to nurturing racing fitness for the 10k through the half marathon distance, you need to make your minutes count.
Fast one-minute runs with a brief, 60-second recovery will turn your strength and endurance into personal bests. The key to these weekly workouts is waiting to invite them into your training regime until a proper foundation of base work and stamina training has been completed. From this point in training, these 60 second romps will be savored for the speed currency you are earning with each bout. The runs must be no faster than your current 800m to 1600m race pace. Therefore, the most common mistake in this workout is beginning the session by running the first repetition too quickly. Adhering to the painfully brief 60 seconds of standing rest between each repetition is the cornerstone to developing the speed-endurance that you will gain from this workout. The repetitions can be continued until a subsequent repetition misses the finish line of the previous interval. Beginners will be pleased with the fitness gains that four of these reps can produce, while experienced racers over distances from 5k to the half marathon will likely be able to build up to 8-10 reps in a period of 4 weeks.
The body responds favorably in many ways to this workout. The heart develops a greater efficiency at delivering large volumes of oxygen-rich blood to hypoxic muscles. The 60-second bouts also provide you with improved running economy by requiring less energy to move the body in the running motion over the slower speeds. You'll also develop an ability to find a use for the misunderstood energetic commodity of lactate with these peppy moments of running.
With the fall racing season looming for many with 10k's, 15k's and half marathons, anxiety can creep in over how to translate the strength of summer training into racing fitness at these distances. As the saying goes, "Reputations are created every day and every minute" so develop the reputation of a runner who challenges himself to continually improve by making the most of your 60 seconds.
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.
Fast one-minute runs with a brief, 60-second recovery will turn your strength and endurance into personal bests. The key to these weekly workouts is waiting to invite them into your training regime until a proper foundation of base work and stamina training has been completed. From this point in training, these 60 second romps will be savored for the speed currency you are earning with each bout. The runs must be no faster than your current 800m to 1600m race pace. Therefore, the most common mistake in this workout is beginning the session by running the first repetition too quickly. Adhering to the painfully brief 60 seconds of standing rest between each repetition is the cornerstone to developing the speed-endurance that you will gain from this workout. The repetitions can be continued until a subsequent repetition misses the finish line of the previous interval. Beginners will be pleased with the fitness gains that four of these reps can produce, while experienced racers over distances from 5k to the half marathon will likely be able to build up to 8-10 reps in a period of 4 weeks.
The body responds favorably in many ways to this workout. The heart develops a greater efficiency at delivering large volumes of oxygen-rich blood to hypoxic muscles. The 60-second bouts also provide you with improved running economy by requiring less energy to move the body in the running motion over the slower speeds. You'll also develop an ability to find a use for the misunderstood energetic commodity of lactate with these peppy moments of running.
With the fall racing season looming for many with 10k's, 15k's and half marathons, anxiety can creep in over how to translate the strength of summer training into racing fitness at these distances. As the saying goes, "Reputations are created every day and every minute" so develop the reputation of a runner who challenges himself to continually improve by making the most of your 60 seconds.
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.
Wolfe, Skaden Share Men's Title, Kimball Takes Women's Crown at USA 100 Mile Trail Championships
(7-21-08) Courtesy Running USA wire #58-07-08, By Howard Nippert, Special to USATF
Mike Wolfe (Missoula, Mont.) and Eric Skaden (Folsom, Calif.) combined efforts through the last 25 miles for a "shared" victory in 18 hours, 59 minutes, 10 seconds, while ultra multi-national champion Nikki Kimball (Bozeman, Mont.) won the women's title in 20:18:12, Saturday, July 19 at the USA 100 Mile Trail Championships hosted by the Tahoe Rim Trail Endurance Runs.
The course included two loops, both beginning at Spooner Lake (7000 feet elevation), crossing over the high point of the course at Snow Valley Peak (9214ft) and into the low point of the course in the Red House Loop (6800ft) and turning at the aid station at Mt. Rose (approximately 8700ft). The course had a cumulative elevation change of 22,000 feet over the 100 mile distance.
Early men's leader John Olsen (Modesto, Calif.) opened a gap on the field and at the 26.8 mile turnaround of the first lap and looked strong and comfortable with a lead of just over two minutes. He continued to set a blistering pace back to the start-finish aid station at 50 miles, where he built to a 13 minute lead. But at the Mt. Rose turnaround aid station, word spread that Olsen was sick at an aid station, and didn't appear that he would be able to continue.
Wolfe and Skaden had, to that point, jockeyed for second, but Skaden broke away, making a move to catch Olsen. Skaden went by Olsen in the Red House loop, taking over the lead. When Wolfe went in and out of the Red House aid station, Olsen remained - his day was done. Wolfe caught Skaden just before the 75 mile turnaround point and suddenly Wolfe and Skaden came into view as they exited the woods and ran across the meadow, now working together in the lead.
Wolf and Skaden continued their combined effort through the return trip to the finish line for the tie and title of co-national 100 mile champions and shared the $1000 top prize. Ian Torrence (Ashland, Ore.) finished third in 21:53:40.
The women's race developed into a duel between Kimball and Beverly Anderson-Abbs (Red Bluff, Calif.). At the 26.8 mile turnaround, Kimball, 37, led into the aid station, trailed closely by Anderson-Abbs. As they crossed paths at the aid station, Kimball headed out with the slight advantage with Anderson-Abbs in tow. The two remained in a close battle through the end of the first lap with just under 5 minutes between them.
For the next portion of the course, the two shifted leads and pressed the pace, each trying to break the other. Finally, Kimball pulled away headed back out to the half-way mark of the slightly shorter second lap. At the turnaround, Kimball had gapped Anderson-Abbs by approximately 4 miles, as the searing daytime temperatures, terrain and aggressive early pace battling with Kimball took its toll.
Kimball opened up through the final miles which were mostly downhill, to finish in 20:18:12 for the win over Anderson-Abbs, 44, who held on for 2nd place in 23:28:10. Third place went to Jenny Capel (Reno, Nevada) in 24:53:38.
In addition to Open male and female National Champions being crowned, age group national championships were awarded to the top finisher in age groups in five year intervals beginning with 40-44 through 70+ in men's and women's divisions.
Charles Hofacker (Carmichael, Calif.) and Anderson-Abbs were the men's and women's masters national champions (40 and older), respectively.
Tahoe Rim Trail Endurance Runs: USA 100 Mile Trail Championships
Spooner Lake State Park, NV, Saturday, July 19, 2008
MEN
1) Mike Wolfe (MT), 18:59:10, $500
1) Eric Skaden (CA), 18:59:10, $500
3) Ian Torrence (OR), 21:53:40
WOMEN
1) Nikki Kimball (MT), 20:18:12, $1000
2) Beverly Anderson-Abbs, 44, CA, 23:28:10
3) Jenny Capel (NV), 24:53:38
More race information at: tahoemtnmilers.org/trt50
Mike Wolfe (Missoula, Mont.) and Eric Skaden (Folsom, Calif.) combined efforts through the last 25 miles for a "shared" victory in 18 hours, 59 minutes, 10 seconds, while ultra multi-national champion Nikki Kimball (Bozeman, Mont.) won the women's title in 20:18:12, Saturday, July 19 at the USA 100 Mile Trail Championships hosted by the Tahoe Rim Trail Endurance Runs.
The course included two loops, both beginning at Spooner Lake (7000 feet elevation), crossing over the high point of the course at Snow Valley Peak (9214ft) and into the low point of the course in the Red House Loop (6800ft) and turning at the aid station at Mt. Rose (approximately 8700ft). The course had a cumulative elevation change of 22,000 feet over the 100 mile distance.
Early men's leader John Olsen (Modesto, Calif.) opened a gap on the field and at the 26.8 mile turnaround of the first lap and looked strong and comfortable with a lead of just over two minutes. He continued to set a blistering pace back to the start-finish aid station at 50 miles, where he built to a 13 minute lead. But at the Mt. Rose turnaround aid station, word spread that Olsen was sick at an aid station, and didn't appear that he would be able to continue.
Wolfe and Skaden had, to that point, jockeyed for second, but Skaden broke away, making a move to catch Olsen. Skaden went by Olsen in the Red House loop, taking over the lead. When Wolfe went in and out of the Red House aid station, Olsen remained - his day was done. Wolfe caught Skaden just before the 75 mile turnaround point and suddenly Wolfe and Skaden came into view as they exited the woods and ran across the meadow, now working together in the lead.
Wolf and Skaden continued their combined effort through the return trip to the finish line for the tie and title of co-national 100 mile champions and shared the $1000 top prize. Ian Torrence (Ashland, Ore.) finished third in 21:53:40.
The women's race developed into a duel between Kimball and Beverly Anderson-Abbs (Red Bluff, Calif.). At the 26.8 mile turnaround, Kimball, 37, led into the aid station, trailed closely by Anderson-Abbs. As they crossed paths at the aid station, Kimball headed out with the slight advantage with Anderson-Abbs in tow. The two remained in a close battle through the end of the first lap with just under 5 minutes between them.
For the next portion of the course, the two shifted leads and pressed the pace, each trying to break the other. Finally, Kimball pulled away headed back out to the half-way mark of the slightly shorter second lap. At the turnaround, Kimball had gapped Anderson-Abbs by approximately 4 miles, as the searing daytime temperatures, terrain and aggressive early pace battling with Kimball took its toll.
Kimball opened up through the final miles which were mostly downhill, to finish in 20:18:12 for the win over Anderson-Abbs, 44, who held on for 2nd place in 23:28:10. Third place went to Jenny Capel (Reno, Nevada) in 24:53:38.
In addition to Open male and female National Champions being crowned, age group national championships were awarded to the top finisher in age groups in five year intervals beginning with 40-44 through 70+ in men's and women's divisions.
Charles Hofacker (Carmichael, Calif.) and Anderson-Abbs were the men's and women's masters national champions (40 and older), respectively.
Tahoe Rim Trail Endurance Runs: USA 100 Mile Trail Championships
Spooner Lake State Park, NV, Saturday, July 19, 2008
MEN
1) Mike Wolfe (MT), 18:59:10, $500
1) Eric Skaden (CA), 18:59:10, $500
3) Ian Torrence (OR), 21:53:40
WOMEN
1) Nikki Kimball (MT), 20:18:12, $1000
2) Beverly Anderson-Abbs, 44, CA, 23:28:10
3) Jenny Capel (NV), 24:53:38
More race information at: tahoemtnmilers.org/trt50
Cascade Run Off Canceled
(7-18-08) - From Press Release - AA Sports, Ltd. regrets to announce that the 2008 Cascade Run Off has been canceled. At the time of this announcement, less than 300 people were signed up to participate in the event, thus it was deemed necessary to cancel the event and will not be holding the event in the future.
We would like to extend our appreciation to all athletes who have planned to participate this year. And to those that have already registered, we will be sending out a credit certificate of equal value that can be used for any other AA Sports, Ltd. event over the next two years. Please look for this credit to arrive within the next 5-7 working days.
To learn more about the events AA Sports, Ltd offers, please visit our Web site at www.RaceCenter.com
We would like to extend our appreciation to all athletes who have planned to participate this year. And to those that have already registered, we will be sending out a credit certificate of equal value that can be used for any other AA Sports, Ltd. event over the next two years. Please look for this credit to arrive within the next 5-7 working days.
To learn more about the events AA Sports, Ltd offers, please visit our Web site at www.RaceCenter.com
Race Report: 2008 Hagg Lake Triathlon
(7-15-08) Submitted by Dave Campbell - The Hagg Lake Triathlon is one of oldest institutions in Northwest triathlon dating back to the Bud Light USTS series in the early 1980's. Its field size has suffered in recent years due to the plethora of high-quality long course racing in late June (PCT, IM CdA, etc) but the course remains super challenging and racing there is always fun. Several years ago, the event was reinvigorated when organizers wisely moved it to two weeks, instead of just one, after Pacific Crest thus allowing athletes the needed recovery time. The event is the TRI NorthWest Regional Olympic Distance Championship and of course, the venue will also serve this fall as the USAT Age Group Nationals venue.
The rugged course makes for one of the most challenging Olympic distance races you will find anywhere. The swim is mild with typically flat water and this year two laps. The bike is one where you use nearly every cog on your cassette. Two laps around the lake roll up and down constantly with several sweeping downhills where you can go well over 40 mph and at least eight climbs of consequence, from ones you can power over in the big ring to those that require sustained seated small gear climbing. This course just keeps coming at you, so it is best to be conservative on the first lap and climb efficiently and stick with a pacing strategy. The run is out and back, thankfully, with a slightly easier return but the same relentless climbing and descending as the bike and a particularly painful climb at mile six before flying downhill to the finish. The result is that only the very strongest athletes succeed here and proper pacing is critical.
The operative word this year was HOT! Even with an 8 a.m. start, athletes were boiling by the time they hit the run course and many enjoyed jumping in the lake again after the race. 38-year-old Daniel Rockholm of Portland rocked the swim course in the reservoir, leading out of the water with a stunning 17:42, followed nearly a minute later by Matt Berg, the clear race favorite. 35-year-old Chantel Efraimson of Camas, WA was not only first women out of the water but 6th overall. With no less than ten athletes clustered in the low 21 to low 22 minute swim split, the competition was heated as well when the racers exited T1.
I had just returned to the Northwest after nearly two weeks at altitude (some days up to nearly 10,000 feet) in Wyoming and was happy to use my now abundant blood cells to post the days fastest bike split of 1:01:55 (24.09 mph average speed) and move up from 7th in the swim to "apparent leader" on the road. Apparent because, although I caught Berg, who led for most of the bike on the third to last climb (there are six of note after the turnaround alone...OUCH), as a day-of registrant he didn't start in the first wave and thus was still a minute up! 23-year-old Carl Newton of Bellingham, WA and season revelation David Ciaverella were close behind as we exited T2. Efraimson still led the women, but one of this season's most consistent athletes, Ann Ciaverella of Happy Valley, OR was breathing down her neck.
As proof of the difficulty of the course and the oppressive heat, only four athletes managed sub-40 minute 10k's. Matt Berg ran the third best run of the day (39:29) to pull convincingly away from the leaders to take a clear victory in 2:05:12, while I hung on in the heat (not my specialty) for second in 2:07:45. Grant Folske, 31, of Portland uncorked a 39:07 run to move from 5th of the bike into 3rd while 42-year-old Ciaverella was 4th and won the Masters title yet again. 41 year old Andy Libert of Eugene had the fastest run of the day in 39:05 to move him into 6th overall. Ciaverella's wife Ann, 37, charged the run in 43:39, best among the women to break the tape nearly a minute clear. Efraimson hung on for second while third placed Bridget Dawson of Portland, aged 50 raced to an impressive 2:27:50 and the Masters title. The fastest relay was a trio of 40 something guys calling themselves "Old & Angry" (Alex Stiles, David Williams, and Gary Geist) who combined for a 2:25:01.
The next major Northwest triathlon is the Blue Lake Mid-Summer on August 3 with both Olympic and Sprint distances as well as a Duathlon. It also serves as the TRI NorthWest Regional Sprint Championship. The day before is the LUNA All Women's Tri and Du where the ladies take center-stage for a traditionally well-attended and very fun event. Keep training and keep smiling and hope to see you at the races!
The rugged course makes for one of the most challenging Olympic distance races you will find anywhere. The swim is mild with typically flat water and this year two laps. The bike is one where you use nearly every cog on your cassette. Two laps around the lake roll up and down constantly with several sweeping downhills where you can go well over 40 mph and at least eight climbs of consequence, from ones you can power over in the big ring to those that require sustained seated small gear climbing. This course just keeps coming at you, so it is best to be conservative on the first lap and climb efficiently and stick with a pacing strategy. The run is out and back, thankfully, with a slightly easier return but the same relentless climbing and descending as the bike and a particularly painful climb at mile six before flying downhill to the finish. The result is that only the very strongest athletes succeed here and proper pacing is critical.
The operative word this year was HOT! Even with an 8 a.m. start, athletes were boiling by the time they hit the run course and many enjoyed jumping in the lake again after the race. 38-year-old Daniel Rockholm of Portland rocked the swim course in the reservoir, leading out of the water with a stunning 17:42, followed nearly a minute later by Matt Berg, the clear race favorite. 35-year-old Chantel Efraimson of Camas, WA was not only first women out of the water but 6th overall. With no less than ten athletes clustered in the low 21 to low 22 minute swim split, the competition was heated as well when the racers exited T1.
I had just returned to the Northwest after nearly two weeks at altitude (some days up to nearly 10,000 feet) in Wyoming and was happy to use my now abundant blood cells to post the days fastest bike split of 1:01:55 (24.09 mph average speed) and move up from 7th in the swim to "apparent leader" on the road. Apparent because, although I caught Berg, who led for most of the bike on the third to last climb (there are six of note after the turnaround alone...OUCH), as a day-of registrant he didn't start in the first wave and thus was still a minute up! 23-year-old Carl Newton of Bellingham, WA and season revelation David Ciaverella were close behind as we exited T2. Efraimson still led the women, but one of this season's most consistent athletes, Ann Ciaverella of Happy Valley, OR was breathing down her neck.
As proof of the difficulty of the course and the oppressive heat, only four athletes managed sub-40 minute 10k's. Matt Berg ran the third best run of the day (39:29) to pull convincingly away from the leaders to take a clear victory in 2:05:12, while I hung on in the heat (not my specialty) for second in 2:07:45. Grant Folske, 31, of Portland uncorked a 39:07 run to move from 5th of the bike into 3rd while 42-year-old Ciaverella was 4th and won the Masters title yet again. 41 year old Andy Libert of Eugene had the fastest run of the day in 39:05 to move him into 6th overall. Ciaverella's wife Ann, 37, charged the run in 43:39, best among the women to break the tape nearly a minute clear. Efraimson hung on for second while third placed Bridget Dawson of Portland, aged 50 raced to an impressive 2:27:50 and the Masters title. The fastest relay was a trio of 40 something guys calling themselves "Old & Angry" (Alex Stiles, David Williams, and Gary Geist) who combined for a 2:25:01.
The next major Northwest triathlon is the Blue Lake Mid-Summer on August 3 with both Olympic and Sprint distances as well as a Duathlon. It also serves as the TRI NorthWest Regional Sprint Championship. The day before is the LUNA All Women's Tri and Du where the ladies take center-stage for a traditionally well-attended and very fun event. Keep training and keep smiling and hope to see you at the races!
Race Report: 2008 Pacific Crest Half Iron Triathlon
(7-1-08) Submitted by Dave Campbell - What a race! I have said it before and I will say it again…I have raced all over the world, in four nations and in 15 different states and I have found no finer event than Pacific Crest. Stunningly beautiful, savagely difficult, and yet with a fun and friendly atmosphere like no other race - it is an epic challenge and, I believe, the finest event in the entire Pacific Northwest . The combination of its elevation, a long, and at times quite steep climb, on the bike, and a run that can get quite hot, also make it one of the hardest half iron-distance triathlons around.
Oregonians Dominant at Olympic Trials
(7-1-08) From USATF Press Release - Eugene sweeps 800 The men's 800 had been a highlight of each day of competition as University of Oregon and/or Oregon Track Club athletes filled the qualifying rounds. Monday's final featured three such athletes: the University of Oregon's Andrew Wheating and Oregon Track Club runners Nick Symmonds and Christian Smith.
The first 700 meters gave no indication that a Eugene sweep was in the making. As is his wont, Khadevis Robinson took the pace out hard, passing 200m in 24.1 seconds. After 1 lap, the four-time national champion led a surprisingly dense pack through in 50.33.
With 300 to go, Lopez Lomong moved up on Robinson's shoulder, but it wasn't until the final 90 meters that the race cleared itself up. Off the curve, Symmonds launched the heroic kick that gave him the Nike Prefontaine Classic title in 2007, and he went on to win in commanding style, in 1:44.10. Behind him, some surged while others faded. When the smoke cleared, Wheating -a Vermont native who only took up track in 2006 - had moved up to second in 1:45.03, with Smith third in 1:45.47 - a time that gave him the Olympic "A" standard of 1:46.00 as he dove for the line. Robinson ended fourth in 1:45.53, with Lomong sixth in 1:45.58.
The top three finishers in each event at these Olympic Trials, who have met Olympic performance standards, will earn the ultimate prize of a spot on the Team USA roster for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China.
Oregon flavor in women's 800
As she has done throughout the rounds in the women's 800, three-time USA outdoor champion Hazel Clark took the lead early in Monday night's final. At the bell, Alice Schmidt moved up on the two-time Olympian's shoulder, but Clark maintained her lead. Running 2-3 meters back were Nicole Teter and then Kameisha Bennett, both of whom fell during Saturday's semifinal and were advanced to the final by a referee's decision.
That decision paid off. In the homestretch, Clark held on for first, winning in 1:59.82, with Schmidt second in 2:00.46. Bennett overtook Teter and was third in 2:01.20, with Teter fourth in 2:01.30. However, Bennett has not met the Olympic "A" standard of 2:00.00, which means the Eugene-trained Teter is on the team for Beijing.
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