(4-30-09) From Press Release - Runners and walkers looking to combine ecotourism with an economy-friendly travel adventure can turn to the September 12th Costa Rica Marathon and Half Marathon, announced Marathon Tours and Travel, the official North American travel agency for the event. It will be Marathon Tour's first trip to any running event in Central America.
"Costa Rica is synonymous with ecotourism," said Thom Gilligan, president of Boston-based Marathon Tours and Travel. "Plus the trip has an excellent adventure-for-the-dollar value, something people are looking for during these difficult economic times."
Held primarily in the village of Tamarindo on Costa Rica's northwest Pacific coast, the Costa Rica Marathon (also known as the Tamarindo Beach Marathon) event weekend also includes 30K, half-marathon and 10K run/walks. The gently rolling, out-and-back courses start in downtown Tamarindo and travel through neighboring villages.
Marathon Tours offers a four-night travel package starting at $699 in Tamarindo at the all-inclusive Barcelo Langosta Beach Resort. Located in Costa Rica's Guanacaste Province, Tamarindo is known for its white sand beaches, water sports and nearby ecological parks that feature leatherback turtle nesting colonies as well as other fauna and flora native to the area.
Runners opting to explore this intriguing Central American country even further can opt for Marathon Tour's five-night extension package that includes visits to the rainforest, Arenal Volcano National Park and more.
For more information on Marathon Tours and Travel, please visit www.marathontours.com, write to info@marathontours.com or call (617) 242-7845.
About Marathon Tours and Travel
Founded in 1979, Boston-based Marathon Tours and Travel is a travel agency that specializes in the running niche market and offers tours and travel services to running events on all seven continents, including those in far-flung destinations such as Antarctica, Easter Island, Kenya and the Great Wall of China.
Wanjiru, Mkitenko Win London, Eugene's Ritzenhein Sets PR
(4-28-09) From Running USA Wire 33, by Jeremy Borling - Olympic gold medalist Sammy Wanjiru of Kenya and Irina Mikitenko of Germany scored victories at the 29th Flora London Marathon on Sunday to extend their leads in the 2008-09 World Marathon Majors (WMM) series. Wanjiru held off the other podium winners from last summer's Beijing Olympics, in establishing a course record and a personal record time of 2 hours, 5 minutes, 10 seconds. For Mikitenko, her defending time of 2:22:11 was a comfortable 1:01 over runner-up Mara Yamauchi of Great Britain.
The Flora London Marathon was the second of six races in the WMM series. At the conclusion of the two-year series this fall, the male and female point leaders will each be awarded $500,000. Wanjiru and Mikitenko now have commanding 35 point leads on their respective leaderboards.
Wanjiru beat runner-up and Beijing bronze medalist Tsegay Kebede of Ethiopia (2:05:20) by 10 seconds, while Olympic silver medalist Jaouad Gharib of Morocco was third in 2:05:27. Both Kebede and Gharib also set personal records on Sunday. Wanjiru led a group of men on world record pace for much of the race.
Wanjiru, 22, had predicted he would break Haile Gebrselassie's world record of 2:03:59 and with near perfect conditions across the British capital - light winds, hardly a cloud in the sky and temperatures expected to rise no higher than 15C / 59 F degrees.
But crazy early speed dashed Wanjiru's hopes as the leaders sped through halfway in 61:35 after setting off inside two hour pace. They'd been asked to take the leaders to 20 miles, but could never maintain such a high tempo. For Wanjiru, though, by the end the win was enough.
"A course record is very good but in the end it was better to win the race because of all the good runners around me," said Wanjiru who earned $155,000 and moved into seventh place on the all-time list ahead of last year's course record setter Martin Lel. Kebede also moved into the top 10, and the times of the three medalists mean the average of London's ten best times make it the second fastest in the world, just two seconds on average slower than Berlin.
In the women's race, Mikitenko and Yamauchi separated themselves early in the race from a chase back, but Mikitenko's strength and experience proved to be the deciding factors as she pulled away at the 1:50:00 mark into her race. Mikitenko, 36, became the first woman since Paula Radcliffe in 2003 to retain her London Marathon title and won the third marathon of her career to cement her place as the world's #1.
"I was always confident that I had it in my legs, and after 20 miles, I saw no reason why I couldn't win," said the German record holder who improved on her 2008 time by more than two minutes. "I felt once I pushed the pace a little the others wouldn't follow."
Yamauchi gave the record home crowds much to cheer as she surprised even herself by finishing second in 2:23:12, taking nearly two minutes from her PR, while the European 5000m record holder Liliya Shobukhova produced a debut run to remember, finishing third in 2:24:24.
The American trio - Olympians Meb Keflezighi, Dathan Ritzenhein and Kate O'Neill - finished 9th, 11th and 13th respectively. Olympic silver medalist Keflezighi and Ritzenhein set PRs of 2:09:21 and 2:10:00, while O'Neill ran 2:34:48.
More than 35,000 competitors finished the 2009 London Marathon, the last ever to be sponsored by Flora (next year, Virgin is the race title sponsor).
The current year's World Marathon Majors series will continue this summer at the IAAF World Track & Field Championships in Berlin in August. The fall season will kick off at the real,- Berlin Marathon on September 20, followed by the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on October 11, and the series finale at the ING New York City Marathon on November 1.
For more WMM series information including complete standings, go to: www.WorldMarathonMajors.com
29th Flora London Marathon
London, GBR, Sunday, April 26, 2009
MEN
1) Sammy Wanjiru (KEN), 2:05:10*, $155,000
2) Tsegay Kebede (ETH), 2:05:20, $105,000
3) Jaouad Gharib (MAR), 2:05:27, $97,500
4) Emmanuel Mutai (KEN), 2:06:53, $65,000
5) Hendrick Ramaala (RSA), 2:07:44, $35,000
6) Abderrahim Goumri (MAR), 2:08:25, $22,500
7) Yonas Kifle (ERI), 2:08:28, $20,000
8) Atsushi Sato (JPN), 2:09:16, $9000
9) Meb Keflezighi (USA / CA), 2:09:21, $8000
10) Felix Limo (KEN), 2:09:47, $5000
11) Dathan Ritzenhein (USA / OR), 2:10:00, $2500
12) Tessema Abshiro (ETH), 2:11:18, $1000
13) Andi Jones (GBR), 2:15:20
14) Marty Dent (AUS), 2:15:24
15) Rafal Wojcik (POL), 2:16:41
*course record (previous record, 2:05:15, Martin Lel, 2008)
WOMEN
1) Irina Mikitenko (GER), 2:22:11, $80,000
2) Mara Yamauchi (GBR), 2:23:12, $45,000
3) Liliya Shobukova (RUS), 2:24:24, $32,500
4) Svetlana Zakharova (RUS), 2:25:06, $15,000
5) Berhane Adere (ETH), 2:25:30, $12,500
6) Inga Abitova (RUS), 2:25:55, $10,000
7) Catherine Ndereba (KEN), 2:26:22, $6500
8) Tomo Morimoto (JPN), 2:26:29, $5500
9) Gete Wami (ETH), 2:26:54, $4500
10) Lyudmila Petrova, 40, RUS, 2:27:42, $2000
11) Yuri Kano (JPN), 2:28:44
12) Zhou Chunxiu (CHN), 2:29:02
13) Kate O'Neill (USA / CA), 2:34:48
14) Mika Okunaga (JPN), 2:35:36
15) Michelle Ross Cope (GBR), 2:36:02
Full results at: www.London-Marathon.co.uk
Race Report: 2009 WOU Sprint Triathlon
(4-28-09) Submitted by Dave Campbell - April and May bring a plethora of racing opportunities for area triathletes...if you are willing to do pool swims. A fun event at Western Oregon University with a bike course substantially different than the norm was contested in Monmouth on April 25 by 240 regional athletes. Put on by an "original Oregon Triathlete", Elke Asleson (1983 Hawaii Ironman finisher and WOU Health and PE adjunct instructor), the event consists of a 500-yard pool swim, a hilly 17-mile bike, and a 3.2-mile run. The vibe is friendly and fun and the promoters work hard to provide a quality event.
Athletes must pre-register and are seeded in nine heats going off from 8 until 10 a.m. with 3-4 swimmers per lane. Five second intervals make for an inevitable "washing machine" effect that, while chaotic, is also kind of fun. The high 40s/low 50s weather conditions outside, however, combined with cloudy skies and occasional light, misty drizzle made clothing choices for transitions especially important (and challenging). Should I take time to put on more clothes for the bike? Will I overheat on the run? How much time can I spare for such things in a sprint race?
The aforementioned hilly bike course was tough - after some twists and turns out of transition came a long steady opening climb followed by a ripping (and freezing) 40mph plus descent. That gave way to a few miles of flat and then a plethora of shorter, steeper climbs and up then the back side previously mentioned descent, before a twisty, lumpy return to T2. OUCH. Not unlike Hagg Lake in its difficulty with last year's winner, beastly Matt Berg barely averaging 21 mph. The run was a flat out and back with a finish on the WOU track and throngs of people to cheer you on. Oh, and there were the students attired in superhero garb (I definitely spotted Wonder Woman but not sure who the giant green bird was!)
One of the challenges of "pool swim sprint tri's" are the heats - not all the fastest runners and cyclists start in the last (fastest) heat due to their swim times, so you can't "take the lead" and then just cruise in to the finish. This is why I love to race these as I tune up my fitness for the "big" races ahead in June and July. They are great training and you have to really dig deep.
The tall, athletic uber-swimmer Warren Bloomberg of Salem was first out of the water (6:29 including the run out to the bikes) in Heat 9 and I had to put out a big effort to catch him and distance him on that first climb and was soon "in the lead". This takes me back to a previous point - slow swimmers in earlier heats means you better keep racing! Dave Florence of Canby is an incredible runner and a much improved cyclist who started in heat 8 and young gun Brendan Treacy was there as well. Treacy, a self-professed swim hater who rarely trains his swim has been racing P.I.R. and cat 3 road races regularly; improving an already solid bike and his slender 23-year-old physique is always rapid on the run...so I kept on hammering.
I had taken time to pull on a long sleeve top, while others, Treacy among them, went shirtless! Brrr! The long descents made my hands numb and my feet feel like blocks of ice well into the run, but hey...I'm old! Treacy, a tough young guy, out-biked me by 29 sec (47:29 & 47:56 put us over 2 min faster than anyone else), out-transitioned me with the shirtless maneuver and was only 38 seconds back after the swim! The race was on!
Treacy, who recently graduated from Oregon State, was smooth and strong running 20:18 to claim the overall victory in 1:16:29 while I hung on for second in 1:17:11 with 21:02 run on the slightly long course. Bloomberg who dropped back a bit with a bike of 50:28 rallied with the fastest run of the day (19:34) to come up to third overall. Dave Florence's second best run (20:12) earned him fourth overall, just 49 seconds clear of Albany's Jason Hawthorne.
44-year-old Kristy Aalberg from Portland was the top woman (and 17th overall) in 1:33:35 while 34 year old Kat Smith of Eugene was next in 1:36:52. Local Denise Cooms (age 38) was third best woman but top runner on the day in 22:30.
24 enthusiastic athletes from the area didn't let their lack of a road bike keep them out of the event...they did it on their mountain bikes! Local fire department folks, WOU students, and many relay teams took up the challenge, despite the rugged climbs requiring some to walk. Spirit of the sport for sure! 20 road bike teams competed and King Cobra, anchored by a WOU Cross Country athlete was 3rd overall (1:17:29) with their runner (17:49) putting me firmly in his cross-hairs down the finishing straight. The local Ranger Club was the top mountain bike team in 2:01:36.
Complete event results for the WOU Sprint Triathlon can be found HERE.
There are many more pool swim sprint triathlons to come, notably Lebanon on May 16 and Heart of the Valley in Corvallis on May 25. With a long warm up and warm down, they make for a fabulous training session. If you are looking ahead to Pacific Crest, Boise, or Lake Stevens then a long ride can round out a serious weekend training combo. Another great event approaching is the Duck Bill Thrill, the first open water race in the area on May 17 at the Fall Creek Reservoir near Eugene.
In the meantime train smart, have fun, and I will see you at the races!
Athletes must pre-register and are seeded in nine heats going off from 8 until 10 a.m. with 3-4 swimmers per lane. Five second intervals make for an inevitable "washing machine" effect that, while chaotic, is also kind of fun. The high 40s/low 50s weather conditions outside, however, combined with cloudy skies and occasional light, misty drizzle made clothing choices for transitions especially important (and challenging). Should I take time to put on more clothes for the bike? Will I overheat on the run? How much time can I spare for such things in a sprint race?
The aforementioned hilly bike course was tough - after some twists and turns out of transition came a long steady opening climb followed by a ripping (and freezing) 40mph plus descent. That gave way to a few miles of flat and then a plethora of shorter, steeper climbs and up then the back side previously mentioned descent, before a twisty, lumpy return to T2. OUCH. Not unlike Hagg Lake in its difficulty with last year's winner, beastly Matt Berg barely averaging 21 mph. The run was a flat out and back with a finish on the WOU track and throngs of people to cheer you on. Oh, and there were the students attired in superhero garb (I definitely spotted Wonder Woman but not sure who the giant green bird was!)
One of the challenges of "pool swim sprint tri's" are the heats - not all the fastest runners and cyclists start in the last (fastest) heat due to their swim times, so you can't "take the lead" and then just cruise in to the finish. This is why I love to race these as I tune up my fitness for the "big" races ahead in June and July. They are great training and you have to really dig deep.
The tall, athletic uber-swimmer Warren Bloomberg of Salem was first out of the water (6:29 including the run out to the bikes) in Heat 9 and I had to put out a big effort to catch him and distance him on that first climb and was soon "in the lead". This takes me back to a previous point - slow swimmers in earlier heats means you better keep racing! Dave Florence of Canby is an incredible runner and a much improved cyclist who started in heat 8 and young gun Brendan Treacy was there as well. Treacy, a self-professed swim hater who rarely trains his swim has been racing P.I.R. and cat 3 road races regularly; improving an already solid bike and his slender 23-year-old physique is always rapid on the run...so I kept on hammering.
I had taken time to pull on a long sleeve top, while others, Treacy among them, went shirtless! Brrr! The long descents made my hands numb and my feet feel like blocks of ice well into the run, but hey...I'm old! Treacy, a tough young guy, out-biked me by 29 sec (47:29 & 47:56 put us over 2 min faster than anyone else), out-transitioned me with the shirtless maneuver and was only 38 seconds back after the swim! The race was on!
Treacy, who recently graduated from Oregon State, was smooth and strong running 20:18 to claim the overall victory in 1:16:29 while I hung on for second in 1:17:11 with 21:02 run on the slightly long course. Bloomberg who dropped back a bit with a bike of 50:28 rallied with the fastest run of the day (19:34) to come up to third overall. Dave Florence's second best run (20:12) earned him fourth overall, just 49 seconds clear of Albany's Jason Hawthorne.
44-year-old Kristy Aalberg from Portland was the top woman (and 17th overall) in 1:33:35 while 34 year old Kat Smith of Eugene was next in 1:36:52. Local Denise Cooms (age 38) was third best woman but top runner on the day in 22:30.
24 enthusiastic athletes from the area didn't let their lack of a road bike keep them out of the event...they did it on their mountain bikes! Local fire department folks, WOU students, and many relay teams took up the challenge, despite the rugged climbs requiring some to walk. Spirit of the sport for sure! 20 road bike teams competed and King Cobra, anchored by a WOU Cross Country athlete was 3rd overall (1:17:29) with their runner (17:49) putting me firmly in his cross-hairs down the finishing straight. The local Ranger Club was the top mountain bike team in 2:01:36.
Complete event results for the WOU Sprint Triathlon can be found HERE.
There are many more pool swim sprint triathlons to come, notably Lebanon on May 16 and Heart of the Valley in Corvallis on May 25. With a long warm up and warm down, they make for a fabulous training session. If you are looking ahead to Pacific Crest, Boise, or Lake Stevens then a long ride can round out a serious weekend training combo. Another great event approaching is the Duck Bill Thrill, the first open water race in the area on May 17 at the Fall Creek Reservoir near Eugene.
In the meantime train smart, have fun, and I will see you at the races!
Keflezighi, Ritzenhein, O'Neill Look for Fast Times at London Marathon
(4-23-09) From USATF Press Release - Olympic silver medalist Meb Keflezighi (San Diego, Calif.) will join fellow U.S. Olympians Dathan Ritzenhein (Portland, Ore.) and Kate O'Neill (Palo Alto, Calif.) at the Flora London Marathon this Sunday in London, England.
Keflezighi and Ritzenhein will face a loaded men's field that includes Olympic champion Sammy Wanjiru of Kenya as well as Jaouad Gharib of Morocco and Tsegaye Kebede of Ethiopia, the respective silver and bronze medalists from the Olympic marathon.
In addition to the three medalists from Beijing, this year's race will see the much anticipated marathon debut of Eritrean Zersenay Tadese, the 2007 World Cross Country champion.
With favorable conditions on Sunday, Wanjiru has hopes of lowering the current world record of 2:03:59 set by Ethiopia's Haile Gebrselassie in Berlin last year.
While world record pace isn't in the race plan for Keflezighi or Ritzenhein, both said during a conference call from London that they will be working together to run 2:07:30. "The goal is to get a fast time and if we can help each other that would be great," said Keflezighi, who won this year's USA Half Marathon Championship, finishing ten seconds ahead of Ritzenhein.
Additionally, if Keflezighi meets his time goal, he will secure a spot on the Team USA marathon squad for this summer's IAAF World Championships in Berlin.
The women's field features Olympic champion Constantina Dita of Romania as well as silver medalist Catherine Ndereba of Kenya. O'Neill is the top entrant for U.S. women and will be looking to lower her personal best of 2:34:04.
Universal Sports will offer live online coverage of the 2009 Flora London Marathon starting at 4 a.m. ET this Sunday.
Universal Sports is the broadcast home to the World Marathon Majors (WMM) which include the Boston Marathon, London Marathon, Berlin Marathon, Chicago Marathon, and will conclude with the New York City Marathon in November.
More information, as well as highlights, full-length videos, photos, breaking news and more available at www.UniversalSports.com.
About USA Track & Field
USA Track & Field (USATF) is the National Governing Body for track and field, long-distance running and race walking in the United States. USATF encompasses the world's oldest organized sports, some of the most-watched events of Olympic broadcasts, the #1 high school and junior high school participatory sport and more than 30 million adult runners in the United States.
For more information on USATF, visit www.usatf.org.
Keflezighi and Ritzenhein will face a loaded men's field that includes Olympic champion Sammy Wanjiru of Kenya as well as Jaouad Gharib of Morocco and Tsegaye Kebede of Ethiopia, the respective silver and bronze medalists from the Olympic marathon.
In addition to the three medalists from Beijing, this year's race will see the much anticipated marathon debut of Eritrean Zersenay Tadese, the 2007 World Cross Country champion.
With favorable conditions on Sunday, Wanjiru has hopes of lowering the current world record of 2:03:59 set by Ethiopia's Haile Gebrselassie in Berlin last year.
While world record pace isn't in the race plan for Keflezighi or Ritzenhein, both said during a conference call from London that they will be working together to run 2:07:30. "The goal is to get a fast time and if we can help each other that would be great," said Keflezighi, who won this year's USA Half Marathon Championship, finishing ten seconds ahead of Ritzenhein.
Additionally, if Keflezighi meets his time goal, he will secure a spot on the Team USA marathon squad for this summer's IAAF World Championships in Berlin.
The women's field features Olympic champion Constantina Dita of Romania as well as silver medalist Catherine Ndereba of Kenya. O'Neill is the top entrant for U.S. women and will be looking to lower her personal best of 2:34:04.
Universal Sports will offer live online coverage of the 2009 Flora London Marathon starting at 4 a.m. ET this Sunday.
Universal Sports is the broadcast home to the World Marathon Majors (WMM) which include the Boston Marathon, London Marathon, Berlin Marathon, Chicago Marathon, and will conclude with the New York City Marathon in November.
More information, as well as highlights, full-length videos, photos, breaking news and more available at www.UniversalSports.com.
About USA Track & Field
USA Track & Field (USATF) is the National Governing Body for track and field, long-distance running and race walking in the United States. USATF encompasses the world's oldest organized sports, some of the most-watched events of Olympic broadcasts, the #1 high school and junior high school participatory sport and more than 30 million adult runners in the United States.
For more information on USATF, visit www.usatf.org.
Pacific Open Water Swim Series Set for Summer in Kent, WA
(4-22-09) From Press Release - Raise the Bar presents the first Pacific Northwest Open Water Swim Series this summer to swimmers and triathletes at Lake Meridian Park in Kent, WA. Participants can choose from the 1/2-mile, 1.2- or 2.4-mile distances in either a wetsuit or non-wetsuit division on three Friday nights: 6/12, 7/10 and 8/7. Prizes will be awarded to the top three men and women in each category.
Registration fees are $30 per race or $75 for the 3-race series. As with all Raise the Bar events, participants can expect an energetic atmosphere, support for the nervous, solid competition, and great food. If interested, they also offer training programs to prepare for open water racing and triathlons. Visit www.weraisethebar.com for more information.
Registration fees are $30 per race or $75 for the 3-race series. As with all Raise the Bar events, participants can expect an energetic atmosphere, support for the nervous, solid competition, and great food. If interested, they also offer training programs to prepare for open water racing and triathlons. Visit www.weraisethebar.com for more information.
Goucher, Hall both third at Boston Marathon
(4-20-09) From USATF Press Release - Kara Goucher was third in the women's race and Ryan Hall third among the men Monday in the 113th running of the Boston Marathon, marking the first time in 24 years that Americans appeared on both podiums at this historic race.
Olympic fourth-place finisher Deriba Merga of Ethiopia won the men's crown in 2:08:42, followed by Daniel Rono of Kenya in 2:09:32 and Hall in 2:09:40. Salina Kosgei of Kenya won the women's race in a dramatic sprint finish, hitting the line in 2:32:16, one step and one second ahead of defending champion Dire Tune of Ethiopia in 2:32:17 and Goucher third in 2:32:25. Kosgei and Tune bumped elbows several times in the final meters, and Tune - who won hereby only 2 seconds in 2008 - collapsed just two steps after the finish.
Goucher was the first American woman to place in the top three since Kim Jones was second in 1993, while Hall matched 2004 Olympic silver medalist Meb Keflezighi's third place from 2006.
In 1985, a total of five Americans finished in the men's and women's top three in much less international and significantly slower races. Gary Tuttle (2:19:11) and Mark Helgeston (2:21:15) went 2-3 in the men's race and American women swept the top 10 places, led by Lisa Larsen-Weidenbach (2:34:06), Lynne Huntington (2:42:15) and Karen Dunn (2:42:27). American men occupied eight of the top 10 spots in that year.
Tactics rule women's race
The women's race began resembling nothing so much as a training run, with the entire elite pack coming through 1 mile in 6:25 and two in 12:28. Elva Dryer, Colleen De Reuck and Kara Goucher ran at or near the lead for much of the race as the pack came through 10 km in 37:05, 10 miles in 59:47 and the half marathon on 1:18:12.
Goucher remained with the leaders as De Reuck and Dyer dropped off the pace, but between miles 16 and 17, De Reuck came back to take the lead, shadowed by Goucher. After passing 18 miles in 1:47:05, Goucher took the lead five minutes later. Over the next six miles, the pace quickened as the pack shrank from 10 to five at 23 miles, which Goucher led in 2:15:29 after a 5:20 mile. The American threw down a 5:08 24th mile to make it a three-woman race between herself, Tune and Kosgei.
The final mile provided dramatic moments with nearly every stride. The two-time defending Millrose Games champion in the mile, Goucher ran at the head of the three-woman pack as they gathered themselves for a final sprint down Boylston Street. Just before the turn onto Boylston, Goucher appeared to begin laboring, drawing a groan of concern from the press room as she moved back to third.
With just over 800 meters to go, Goucher tossed off her gloves in her attempt to catch Tune and Kosgei. Although she expected to have kick left in her legs, Goucher could not match the strides of her competitors. At the finish, she was not consoled by her top-three placing.
"I'm proud of what I did," said Goucher, who held back tears as she described the amazing support received from family, friends, her coach and Nike. "I wanted it so much for them. I'm proud of how I did, and I raced the best I could. I just wanted to be the one who won for everybody."
A 45-year-old, four-time Olympian, the ageless De Reuck also finished in the top 10, finishing eighth in 2:35:37 as the top masters woman.
Quick start to men's race
The men's race developed in a way that sharply contrasted with their distaff counterparts. Unafraid of a fast pace, a looming headwind, a field that included a four-time champion and the potentially punishing downhills in the early miles, Olympic Trials champion Ryan Hall took the lead from the first step. The 6-0 Californian posted sub-4:50 miles early on and came through 5 km in 14:34, well under course-record pace. The 10km mark passed in 29:28, or 4:46 pace, as 13 men occupied the lead pack.
It wasn't until mile 8 that anyone started a concerted effort to take the lead from Hall, when Gashaw Asfaw of Ethiopia and four-time champion Robert Cheruiyot of Kenya began to push. At 15 km, the pack was still on 2:05 marathon pace (44:45), but by the half they had slowed to 1:03:39.
Merga began his race in earnest in the last half. He worked with countryman Solomon Molla through 16 miles, passed in 1:18:11, after which point Hall had dropped as far back as ninth.
Merga, Molla and Rono continued to roll at the front, but Hall began to claw his way back. By 20 miles passed by Merga in 1:37:57, Hall had moved to third, ahead of Molla and roughly 30 seconds behind Merga. The Merga-Rono-Hall running order remained intact through the finish and Merga enjoyed a one-man show in the final miles.
Hall was pleased with his third-place finish . "I definitely felt like a rookie out there," he said. "I was learning as I went. I've been on the course before and got to jog the last 20 miles, but jogging it and racing it are two different things. I was in a lot of pain the last 10k. I've got some work to do but I'm young and I'll be back. I learned a lot."
"My plan was to run my own race from the get-go. I like to run fast, and I was like, I'm going to use these downhills and I'm going to find my right effort level. It was a tough day out there for everyone. The wind was in your face the whole way."
Fellow Olympian Brian Sell was the second American at Boston, placing 14th in 2:16:31.
For complete results, race reports and quotes from the 113th Boston Marathon, visit www.baa.org
About USA Track & Field
USA Track & Field (USATF) is the National Governing Body for track and field, long-distance running and race walking in the United States. USATF encompasses the world's oldest organized sports, some of the most-watched events of Olympic broadcasts, the #1 high school and junior high school participatory sport and more than 30 million adult runners in the United States.
For more information on USATF, visit www.usatf.org
Olympic fourth-place finisher Deriba Merga of Ethiopia won the men's crown in 2:08:42, followed by Daniel Rono of Kenya in 2:09:32 and Hall in 2:09:40. Salina Kosgei of Kenya won the women's race in a dramatic sprint finish, hitting the line in 2:32:16, one step and one second ahead of defending champion Dire Tune of Ethiopia in 2:32:17 and Goucher third in 2:32:25. Kosgei and Tune bumped elbows several times in the final meters, and Tune - who won hereby only 2 seconds in 2008 - collapsed just two steps after the finish.
Goucher was the first American woman to place in the top three since Kim Jones was second in 1993, while Hall matched 2004 Olympic silver medalist Meb Keflezighi's third place from 2006.
In 1985, a total of five Americans finished in the men's and women's top three in much less international and significantly slower races. Gary Tuttle (2:19:11) and Mark Helgeston (2:21:15) went 2-3 in the men's race and American women swept the top 10 places, led by Lisa Larsen-Weidenbach (2:34:06), Lynne Huntington (2:42:15) and Karen Dunn (2:42:27). American men occupied eight of the top 10 spots in that year.
Tactics rule women's race
The women's race began resembling nothing so much as a training run, with the entire elite pack coming through 1 mile in 6:25 and two in 12:28. Elva Dryer, Colleen De Reuck and Kara Goucher ran at or near the lead for much of the race as the pack came through 10 km in 37:05, 10 miles in 59:47 and the half marathon on 1:18:12.
Goucher remained with the leaders as De Reuck and Dyer dropped off the pace, but between miles 16 and 17, De Reuck came back to take the lead, shadowed by Goucher. After passing 18 miles in 1:47:05, Goucher took the lead five minutes later. Over the next six miles, the pace quickened as the pack shrank from 10 to five at 23 miles, which Goucher led in 2:15:29 after a 5:20 mile. The American threw down a 5:08 24th mile to make it a three-woman race between herself, Tune and Kosgei.
The final mile provided dramatic moments with nearly every stride. The two-time defending Millrose Games champion in the mile, Goucher ran at the head of the three-woman pack as they gathered themselves for a final sprint down Boylston Street. Just before the turn onto Boylston, Goucher appeared to begin laboring, drawing a groan of concern from the press room as she moved back to third.
With just over 800 meters to go, Goucher tossed off her gloves in her attempt to catch Tune and Kosgei. Although she expected to have kick left in her legs, Goucher could not match the strides of her competitors. At the finish, she was not consoled by her top-three placing.
"I'm proud of what I did," said Goucher, who held back tears as she described the amazing support received from family, friends, her coach and Nike. "I wanted it so much for them. I'm proud of how I did, and I raced the best I could. I just wanted to be the one who won for everybody."
A 45-year-old, four-time Olympian, the ageless De Reuck also finished in the top 10, finishing eighth in 2:35:37 as the top masters woman.
Quick start to men's race
The men's race developed in a way that sharply contrasted with their distaff counterparts. Unafraid of a fast pace, a looming headwind, a field that included a four-time champion and the potentially punishing downhills in the early miles, Olympic Trials champion Ryan Hall took the lead from the first step. The 6-0 Californian posted sub-4:50 miles early on and came through 5 km in 14:34, well under course-record pace. The 10km mark passed in 29:28, or 4:46 pace, as 13 men occupied the lead pack.
It wasn't until mile 8 that anyone started a concerted effort to take the lead from Hall, when Gashaw Asfaw of Ethiopia and four-time champion Robert Cheruiyot of Kenya began to push. At 15 km, the pack was still on 2:05 marathon pace (44:45), but by the half they had slowed to 1:03:39.
Merga began his race in earnest in the last half. He worked with countryman Solomon Molla through 16 miles, passed in 1:18:11, after which point Hall had dropped as far back as ninth.
Merga, Molla and Rono continued to roll at the front, but Hall began to claw his way back. By 20 miles passed by Merga in 1:37:57, Hall had moved to third, ahead of Molla and roughly 30 seconds behind Merga. The Merga-Rono-Hall running order remained intact through the finish and Merga enjoyed a one-man show in the final miles.
Hall was pleased with his third-place finish . "I definitely felt like a rookie out there," he said. "I was learning as I went. I've been on the course before and got to jog the last 20 miles, but jogging it and racing it are two different things. I was in a lot of pain the last 10k. I've got some work to do but I'm young and I'll be back. I learned a lot."
"My plan was to run my own race from the get-go. I like to run fast, and I was like, I'm going to use these downhills and I'm going to find my right effort level. It was a tough day out there for everyone. The wind was in your face the whole way."
Fellow Olympian Brian Sell was the second American at Boston, placing 14th in 2:16:31.
For complete results, race reports and quotes from the 113th Boston Marathon, visit www.baa.org
About USA Track & Field
USA Track & Field (USATF) is the National Governing Body for track and field, long-distance running and race walking in the United States. USATF encompasses the world's oldest organized sports, some of the most-watched events of Olympic broadcasts, the #1 high school and junior high school participatory sport and more than 30 million adult runners in the United States.
For more information on USATF, visit www.usatf.org
Tickets on sale for '09 USA Outdoor Champs in Eugene
(4-13-09) From USATF Press Release - Tickets are now on sale for the 2009 USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships and USA Junior Championships, June 25-28, at historic Hayward Field on the campus of the University of Oregon in Eugene.
The sixth and final event of the 2009 USA Track & Field Outdoor Visa Championships Series, the USA Outdoor Championships will feature the nation's finest professional track and field athletes competing for national honors and spots on the Team USA roster for the 2009 World Outdoor Championships in Berlin, Germany. The World Championships will be held at the 1936 Berlin Olympic Stadium, where National Track & Field Hall of Famer and American icon Jesse Owens won gold medals in the 100m, 200m, 4x100m relay and long jump.
The USA Junior Championships, held in conjunction with the USA Outdoor Championships, will serve as the selection meet for the 2009 Pan American Junior Athletics Championships, July 31-August 2 in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad & Tobago.
The USA Outdoor Championships return this summer to one of the country's most storied track and field venues, Hayward Field. Specifically designed to enhance the spectator experience, the intimate setting of Hayward Field brings fans remarkably close to the action, while athletes consistently rate Hayward Field as having one of the most compelling atmospheres of any stadium in the world. Eugene has long been dubbed "Track Town, USA" for its rich track and field history and the community's appreciation of the sport.
The host of the 1972, '76 and '80 Olympic Trials and the 1999 and 2001 USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships, Hayward Field played host to the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Track & Field, which featured expanded seating, overflow crowds and unmatched levels of drama and excitement.
In addition to hosting numerous national championship events, Hayward Field is also the site of the most prestigious annual invitational track meet in the country, the Nike Prefontaine Classic (June 7), which regularly draws standing-room-only crowds.
All-Session ticket packages are currently available and are selling quickly. For ticket information to the 2009 USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships visit: www.visachampionshipseries.com or www.tracktown.net.
USATF welcomes you to purchase tickets with your Visa Card. Visa, the only credit card accepted by USATF.
For more information on the 2009 USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships and the Visa Championship Series, visit: www.visachampionshipseries.com.
About USA Track & Field
USA Track & Field (USATF) is the National Governing Body for track and field, long-distance running and race walking in the United States. USATF encompasses the world's oldest organized sports, some of the most-watched events of Olympic broadcasts, the #1 high school and junior high school participatory sport and more than 30 million adult runners in the United States.
For more information on USATF, visit www.usatf.org
The sixth and final event of the 2009 USA Track & Field Outdoor Visa Championships Series, the USA Outdoor Championships will feature the nation's finest professional track and field athletes competing for national honors and spots on the Team USA roster for the 2009 World Outdoor Championships in Berlin, Germany. The World Championships will be held at the 1936 Berlin Olympic Stadium, where National Track & Field Hall of Famer and American icon Jesse Owens won gold medals in the 100m, 200m, 4x100m relay and long jump.
The USA Junior Championships, held in conjunction with the USA Outdoor Championships, will serve as the selection meet for the 2009 Pan American Junior Athletics Championships, July 31-August 2 in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad & Tobago.
The USA Outdoor Championships return this summer to one of the country's most storied track and field venues, Hayward Field. Specifically designed to enhance the spectator experience, the intimate setting of Hayward Field brings fans remarkably close to the action, while athletes consistently rate Hayward Field as having one of the most compelling atmospheres of any stadium in the world. Eugene has long been dubbed "Track Town, USA" for its rich track and field history and the community's appreciation of the sport.
The host of the 1972, '76 and '80 Olympic Trials and the 1999 and 2001 USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships, Hayward Field played host to the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Track & Field, which featured expanded seating, overflow crowds and unmatched levels of drama and excitement.
In addition to hosting numerous national championship events, Hayward Field is also the site of the most prestigious annual invitational track meet in the country, the Nike Prefontaine Classic (June 7), which regularly draws standing-room-only crowds.
All-Session ticket packages are currently available and are selling quickly. For ticket information to the 2009 USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships visit: www.visachampionshipseries.com or www.tracktown.net.
USATF welcomes you to purchase tickets with your Visa Card. Visa, the only credit card accepted by USATF.
For more information on the 2009 USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships and the Visa Championship Series, visit: www.visachampionshipseries.com.
About USA Track & Field
USA Track & Field (USATF) is the National Governing Body for track and field, long-distance running and race walking in the United States. USATF encompasses the world's oldest organized sports, some of the most-watched events of Olympic broadcasts, the #1 high school and junior high school participatory sport and more than 30 million adult runners in the United States.
For more information on USATF, visit www.usatf.org
Race Report: 2009 Spring Classic Duathlon
(4-13-09) Submitted by Dave Campbell - It stayed dry! This had to count as the first victory of the 2009 season and it was experienced by all 239 competitors in the traditional Northwest multisport season opener! The skies were grey and breezy and the cool air was great for running but still a little chilly for cycling in this run/bike/run contest on the flat roads of Marine Drive along the Columbia River near the Portland International Airport. A 15-mile bike segment is sandwiched by two 5k out-and-back runs that take athletes in opposite directions for the first and second run portions, which subjected athletes to crosswinds throughout in this first test of early-season fitness.
31-year-old Jay Cech of Portland ran to an early lead with a blistering 16:16 first run leg, trailed by the duo of Jeremy Tolman at 22 seconds and Josh Monda at 29 back. 35-year-old Jennifer Seibel of West Linn ran strongly in front (20:27) with 31-year-old Jenn Mock of Camas, WA close behind.
The bike leg made it clear exactly how strong this year's field was and how many serious athletes were present as the number of very low and aerodynamic riders stretched out along sleek machines with disc wheels and aero helmets was staggering. 26-year-old John Banks, clad in the blue colors of Portland Velo devoured the bike course in 34:21, the fastest time on the day by a minute and a half and nearly 26mph! Although he would make the top 10 overall, his running kept him out of contention for the win. 27-year-old Josh Monda of Vancouver, WA meanwhile, was making his move into the race lead with a 35:54, second best on the day to lead off the bike. The ageless Lauren Binder of Portland, humbled not only many a man (35th best bike overall) but many a young man to put over two minutes into the next fastest woman and take control heading into the deciding final run.
Monda stamped his authority on the event with a race-best 17:32 final run (5:39 per mile pace) to break the tape in 1:11:38 for a convincing victory, two and a half minutes faster than when he won last year…in better conditions. Early leader Cech closed with a 17:43 to claim second in 1:13:45 with 28-year-old John Paul Ramirez of Kirkland, WA in 3rd with 1:15:09. Binder ran a 22:40, only 32 seconds slower than her first run to win the women's race in 1:29:07, a minute and a half clear of Seibel with Seattle's Tracy Tyson claiming third after a sprint finish to the line (same time!).
Always a great runner, 41 year old Dave Florence of Canby won the Masters in 1:16:50 (9th overall), which he credited to a new, more aerodynamic bike and bike position. His winter training might have had something to do with it too as he was looking strong and lean. Binder was top Masters woman as well, demonstrating convincingly that age doesn't have to mean diminished performance. 47-year-old Marsha Medcalf of Vashon, WA took the trophy home (1:41:18) since Lauren claimed the overall win (no double dipping). Portland Tri Club Masters was the top team, by over 6 minutes with 42-year-old Sean McCarthy running both legs very consistently (20:59 and 21:16 respectively) and Tom Ricciardi (38:05) putting in a solid bike.
It was great to see the faces of fellow competitors again after a long, wet winter and bask in the comradely and competitive spirit that makes multisport what it is. Personally I raced within 10 seconds of my time last year (this counts as great success when your years are as advanced as mine) but plummeted eight places which tells me we had not only a great field at the race but the athletes are training well and improving!
There are a variety of "pool swim" sprint triathlons throughout the Willamette Valley over the next month and I recommend racing them. They are fun, a great test of fitness, and can be important training building blocks for longer events especially when combined with additional training after and long warm-ups before. Of course, the next big rendezvous will be the Blue Lake Triathlon (June 13-14). I look forward to writing these columns again throughout the season, so until then train smart, have fun, and I will see you at the races!
31-year-old Jay Cech of Portland ran to an early lead with a blistering 16:16 first run leg, trailed by the duo of Jeremy Tolman at 22 seconds and Josh Monda at 29 back. 35-year-old Jennifer Seibel of West Linn ran strongly in front (20:27) with 31-year-old Jenn Mock of Camas, WA close behind.
The bike leg made it clear exactly how strong this year's field was and how many serious athletes were present as the number of very low and aerodynamic riders stretched out along sleek machines with disc wheels and aero helmets was staggering. 26-year-old John Banks, clad in the blue colors of Portland Velo devoured the bike course in 34:21, the fastest time on the day by a minute and a half and nearly 26mph! Although he would make the top 10 overall, his running kept him out of contention for the win. 27-year-old Josh Monda of Vancouver, WA meanwhile, was making his move into the race lead with a 35:54, second best on the day to lead off the bike. The ageless Lauren Binder of Portland, humbled not only many a man (35th best bike overall) but many a young man to put over two minutes into the next fastest woman and take control heading into the deciding final run.
Monda stamped his authority on the event with a race-best 17:32 final run (5:39 per mile pace) to break the tape in 1:11:38 for a convincing victory, two and a half minutes faster than when he won last year…in better conditions. Early leader Cech closed with a 17:43 to claim second in 1:13:45 with 28-year-old John Paul Ramirez of Kirkland, WA in 3rd with 1:15:09. Binder ran a 22:40, only 32 seconds slower than her first run to win the women's race in 1:29:07, a minute and a half clear of Seibel with Seattle's Tracy Tyson claiming third after a sprint finish to the line (same time!).
Always a great runner, 41 year old Dave Florence of Canby won the Masters in 1:16:50 (9th overall), which he credited to a new, more aerodynamic bike and bike position. His winter training might have had something to do with it too as he was looking strong and lean. Binder was top Masters woman as well, demonstrating convincingly that age doesn't have to mean diminished performance. 47-year-old Marsha Medcalf of Vashon, WA took the trophy home (1:41:18) since Lauren claimed the overall win (no double dipping). Portland Tri Club Masters was the top team, by over 6 minutes with 42-year-old Sean McCarthy running both legs very consistently (20:59 and 21:16 respectively) and Tom Ricciardi (38:05) putting in a solid bike.
It was great to see the faces of fellow competitors again after a long, wet winter and bask in the comradely and competitive spirit that makes multisport what it is. Personally I raced within 10 seconds of my time last year (this counts as great success when your years are as advanced as mine) but plummeted eight places which tells me we had not only a great field at the race but the athletes are training well and improving!
There are a variety of "pool swim" sprint triathlons throughout the Willamette Valley over the next month and I recommend racing them. They are fun, a great test of fitness, and can be important training building blocks for longer events especially when combined with additional training after and long warm-ups before. Of course, the next big rendezvous will be the Blue Lake Triathlon (June 13-14). I look forward to writing these columns again throughout the season, so until then train smart, have fun, and I will see you at the races!
Locals Dominate the Podium at 7th Annual Desert Orthopedics Great Nordeen
(4-6-09) From MBSEF Press Release - The Mt. Bachelor Sports Education Foundation hosted the 7th Annual Desert Orthopedics Great Nordeen Cross Country Ski Race on Saturday, April 4th, 2009 at Mt. Bachelor, OR. This year, participants can chose between a 15km or 30km course. Both races were freestyle and started at Mt. Bachelor’s Sunrise Lodge. New this year was a 15 km skijoring race and a category for anyone that wanted to race with their dog.
Complete results can be found HERE.
30 Km Male
1st Overall-Brayton Osgood with a time of 1:01:33.5
2nd Overall Male-Eric Martin
3rd Overall Male-Marshall Greene
30 Km Female
1st Overall Female-Sarah Max with a time of 1:09:13.4
2nd Overall Female-Mary Wellington
3rd Overall Female-Stephanie Howe
15 Km Overall Male
1st Overall Male-Dennis Oliphant
2nd Overall Male-Bruce Rogers
3rd Overall Male-Ed Parton
15 Km Overall Female
1st Overall Female-Isabella Barna
2nd Overall Female-Ellen Waterston
3rd Overall Female-Kathy Moore
15 Km Skijoring
1st Place-Berkley Leach
2nd Place-Joel Myers
3rd Place-Jeanne Wadsworth
15 Km Ski with Dog
1st Place-Maru Hinkle
2nd Place-Gillian Salton
3rd Place-Amanda Abel
Complete results can be found HERE.
30 Km Male
1st Overall-Brayton Osgood with a time of 1:01:33.5
2nd Overall Male-Eric Martin
3rd Overall Male-Marshall Greene
30 Km Female
1st Overall Female-Sarah Max with a time of 1:09:13.4
2nd Overall Female-Mary Wellington
3rd Overall Female-Stephanie Howe
15 Km Overall Male
1st Overall Male-Dennis Oliphant
2nd Overall Male-Bruce Rogers
3rd Overall Male-Ed Parton
15 Km Overall Female
1st Overall Female-Isabella Barna
2nd Overall Female-Ellen Waterston
3rd Overall Female-Kathy Moore
15 Km Skijoring
1st Place-Berkley Leach
2nd Place-Joel Myers
3rd Place-Jeanne Wadsworth
15 Km Ski with Dog
1st Place-Maru Hinkle
2nd Place-Gillian Salton
3rd Place-Amanda Abel
Race for the Roses Half Marathon Draws Record Field
(4-6-09) Portland's Race for the Roses Half Marathon hosted a record field in 2009 with 2123 finishers covering the 13.1-mile distance through the streets of Portland on Sunday, April 5. The race has grown more than 37% in the past two years with 1328 finishers in 2007 and just over 1900 in 2008.
Also notable is the event's 5k Run/Walk, which has grown from 663 finishers in 2007 to over 1200 this year. For more information about the Race for the Roses, check out their Web site at www.race4theroses.org. For complete race results, visit www.racecenter.com
The Race for the Roses is a benefit for Albertina Kerr Centers, a Portland-based non-profit organization that has been helping people in the community for over 100 years. See below for more information about Albertina Kerr Centers.
RESULTS
Half Marathon - Overall Male
1. Matt Downin, Corvallis, OR, 32, 1:09:04
2. Ian Nurse, Portland, OR, 31, 1:09:30
3. Bret Kimple, Portland, OR, 40, 1:11:54
Half Marathon - Overall Females
1. Bean Wrenn, Boulder, CO, 35, 1:20:46
2. Wendy Terris, Milwaukie, OR, 39, 1:23:06
3. Jessica Dobek, Tualatin, OR, 29, 1:23:52
5k - Overall Males
1. Eric Dolezal, Vancouver, WA, 26, 0:16:29
2. Craig Rice, Portland , OR, 38, 0:16:44
3. Robert Conradt, Portland, OR, 49, 0:16:54
5k - Overall Females
1. Samantha Andrews, Camas, WA, 20, 0:17:59
2. Christe Runde, Brush Prairie, WA, 40, 0:18:10
3. Erin Skourtes, Portland, OR, 28, 0:18:22
About Albertina Kerr Centers
To a child pulled from an unsafe family and placed into foster care, Albertina Kerr Centers is a lifeline. For an adult with a developmental disability, Kerr’s neighborhood homes are shelter and stability. To an emotionally scarred child, Kerr’s art and pet therapy programs are often the remedy. In ways too numerous to list, Albertina Kerr Centers fills the needs of Oregon’s children and families in crisis.
Locally funded, locally staffed, and based in Oregon for 100 years, Kerr is a quintessential example of what makes Portland great; an organization fully dedicated to helping those among us who have nowhere else to turn.
Race for the Roses benefits Kerr directly. Ninety-one cents of every dollar raised goes toward any of the several life-changing programs Kerr provides. Thank you for your participation and support, and good luck on race day.
Learn more about Albertina Kerr Centers at www.AlbertinaKerr.org
Also notable is the event's 5k Run/Walk, which has grown from 663 finishers in 2007 to over 1200 this year. For more information about the Race for the Roses, check out their Web site at www.race4theroses.org. For complete race results, visit www.racecenter.com
The Race for the Roses is a benefit for Albertina Kerr Centers, a Portland-based non-profit organization that has been helping people in the community for over 100 years. See below for more information about Albertina Kerr Centers.
RESULTS
Half Marathon - Overall Male
1. Matt Downin, Corvallis, OR, 32, 1:09:04
2. Ian Nurse, Portland, OR, 31, 1:09:30
3. Bret Kimple, Portland, OR, 40, 1:11:54
Half Marathon - Overall Females
1. Bean Wrenn, Boulder, CO, 35, 1:20:46
2. Wendy Terris, Milwaukie, OR, 39, 1:23:06
3. Jessica Dobek, Tualatin, OR, 29, 1:23:52
5k - Overall Males
1. Eric Dolezal, Vancouver, WA, 26, 0:16:29
2. Craig Rice, Portland , OR, 38, 0:16:44
3. Robert Conradt, Portland, OR, 49, 0:16:54
5k - Overall Females
1. Samantha Andrews, Camas, WA, 20, 0:17:59
2. Christe Runde, Brush Prairie, WA, 40, 0:18:10
3. Erin Skourtes, Portland, OR, 28, 0:18:22
About Albertina Kerr Centers
To a child pulled from an unsafe family and placed into foster care, Albertina Kerr Centers is a lifeline. For an adult with a developmental disability, Kerr’s neighborhood homes are shelter and stability. To an emotionally scarred child, Kerr’s art and pet therapy programs are often the remedy. In ways too numerous to list, Albertina Kerr Centers fills the needs of Oregon’s children and families in crisis.
Locally funded, locally staffed, and based in Oregon for 100 years, Kerr is a quintessential example of what makes Portland great; an organization fully dedicated to helping those among us who have nowhere else to turn.
Race for the Roses benefits Kerr directly. Ninety-one cents of every dollar raised goes toward any of the several life-changing programs Kerr provides. Thank you for your participation and support, and good luck on race day.
Learn more about Albertina Kerr Centers at www.AlbertinaKerr.org
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