(11-25-09) From USATF Press Release - Alberto Salazar, who led Galen Rupp, Dathan Ritzenhein and Kara Goucher to career best performances this past season, has been named the 2009 Nike Coach of the Year by USA Track & Field. Salazar will be honored Saturday, December 5 at the Jesse Owens Awards and Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, held in conjunction with USA Track & Field's 2009 Annual Meeting in Indianapolis.
A three-time New York City Marathon winner and National Track & Field Hall of Famer as an athlete, Salazar in recent years has led The Oregon Project, sponsored by Nike, which is dedicated to providing the means for U.S. distance runners to be successful. Located at the Nike World Campus in Beaverton, Ore., Salazar utilizes Nike's state of the art facilities and sports scientists in working with his athletes.
Within the last 12 months, Salazar prodigy Galen Rupp completed his collegiate career at the University of Oregon in fine fashion by first winning the NCAA Cross Country men's individual title in the fall of 2008. In 2009, Rupp was a triple winner at the NCAA Indoor Championships, in the mile, 5,000 and distance medley relay, captured the NCAA 10,000m and 5000m outdoor titles and also won the 10,000 for the first time in his career at the USA Outdoor Championships in Eugene in his final race in an Oregon Ducks singlet. Rupp finished his season with an eighth-place finish in the 10,000 meters at the 2009 World Athletics Championships in Berlin, Germany.
Also in 2009, Rupp set the American and collegiate indoor 5,000m record at the Tyson Invitational in Fayetteville, Ark., with his time of 13:18.12, and at the Reebok Boston Indoor Games he set the American collegiate 3,000m record of 7:44.69. He also joined fellow Oregon teammates Matt Centrowitz, Andrew Wheating and Shadrack Kiptoo-Biwott in setting the outdoor collegiate 4x1-mile relay record of 16:03.24.
Two-time Olympian Dathan Ritzenhein announced that Salazar would be his new coach shortly after finishing second to Rupp in the 10,000 meters at the 2009 USA Outdoor Championships, and it didn't take long for them to produce incredible results.
Ritzenhein finished sixth in the 10,000m at the World Athletics Championships in Berlin, which is the highest finish ever by an American in that event, and his time of 27:22:28 is the best ever by an American in the 10,000m at a World Outdoor Championships. Shortly after leaving Berlin, Ritzenhein set the American men's 5,000m record of 12 minutes 56.27 seconds at the August 28 Weltklasse Zurich meeting. Ritzenhein's performance bettered Bob Kennedy's 13-year old standard of 12 minutes 58.21 seconds. It was an almost 20-second personal best for Ritzenhein, which makes him the third-fastest non-African in history, and only the third American ever to run under 13 minutes.
Ritzenhein capped off his 2009 campaign by finishing third and capturing the bronze medal at the World Half-Marathon Championships in Birmingham, GBR, in the personal best time of 60 minutes. Ritzenhein's performance led Team USA to an overall fourth-place finish.
2007 World Outdoor Championships women's 10,000m bronze medalist Kara Goucher also enjoyed a stellar season under Salazar's tutelage. Goucher took third in the women's race at the Boston Marathon in 2 hours 32 minutes 25 seconds, which is the highest finish by an American woman since Kim Jones finished second in 1993.
Later that summer, Goucher finished 10th in the women's marathon at the World Athletics Championships in Berlin, which was the highest individual finish for an American woman since Linda Somers placed seventh in 1995. Goucher's performance led the U.S. to a fifth-place finish in the World Marathon Cup team competition, which is the best ever placing for a Team USA women's squad.
Other Oregon Project athletes with career-best years in 2009 included national 10,000m champion Amy Yoder Begley and men's 5,000m champion Matt Tegenkamp, who like Ritzenhein broke 13:00 for 5,000 meters this summer.
"I am very honored and grateful for this great honor that I've been presented," said Salazar. "However I do so humbly as I know there are many other coaches out there that have done an equal or better job in helping their athletes achieve their goals. I am especially proud of the resurgence in American Distance running that is occurring and thank all those athletes and coaches that have worked so hard for the last ten years to make this possible. The next three years will hopefully see American distance runners on the podium more than ever before."
"Alberto is one of the leaders of the recent resurgence in American long distance running, and his contributions are immeasurable," said USATF CEO Doug Logan. "His ability to get athletes to break through barriers is the mark of a great coach. We have no doubt that all his athletes who had great years have far more greatness to come."
"I am excited for Alberto as he has worked extremely hard for this honor," said John Capriotti, Global Sports Marketing Director for Nike. "He has come a long way as a Coach since the mid 90's. He is a descendent of the Great Oregon Coaching Lineage of Hayward, Bowerman, Dillenger and now Salazar. At the same, he has stayed incredibly humble, passionate, and works endlessly to help his athletes become the best they can be. Congratulations to Alberto for this hard earned and well deserved Award."
For more information on USA Track & Field and the organization's 2009 Annual Meeting in Indianapolis, visit: www.usatf.org.
Foot Traffic University Preparing for Biggest Season Yet
(11-23-09) From Press Release - Foot Traffic University prepares over 200 participants to complete either the Foot Traffic Flat Half on July 4, 2010 or the Run Like Hell Half in October in a fully-coached, fully-paced, fun environment. The goal of the program is to keep members motivated by bringing together a large group with all different abilities of walkers and runners to complete the goal of completing or competing in a half marathon. Throw in the fact that we provide experienced pace mentors, weekly emails, and fully marked, scenic courses and you'll be well on your way to one of the best seasons ever!
FTU FAQS
- First day is Jan. 30th, 2010 at the NE Foot Traffic.
- Meets three Saturdays per month at 8am.
- Locations vary between Lake Oswego, North/Northeast Portland, Downtown Portland, and a few surprises!
- For runners & walkers of all abilities. Coaches for both groups!
- Pace Mentors for 7 to 20 min. miles!
- Beautiful marked courses and maps.
- Free tech fabric "member" tshirt
- $15 registration discount for the Foot Traffic Flat for FTU members only!
- Free Smartwool Socks!
- Informational seminars with physical therapists, nutritionists, and more!
- Weekly emails and schedules listing both weekday and weekend workouts.
- Optional conditioning program
- Relaxed, no-pressure environment with over 200 people of ALL abilities.
- FUN, FUN, FUN!
- Cost: $85 (plus a $15 race fee discount!).
Questions/Contact: Email info@foottraffic.us, call 503.284.0345 or visit www.foottraffic.us/ftu.
FTU FAQS
- First day is Jan. 30th, 2010 at the NE Foot Traffic.
- Meets three Saturdays per month at 8am.
- Locations vary between Lake Oswego, North/Northeast Portland, Downtown Portland, and a few surprises!
- For runners & walkers of all abilities. Coaches for both groups!
- Pace Mentors for 7 to 20 min. miles!
- Beautiful marked courses and maps.
- Free tech fabric "member" tshirt
- $15 registration discount for the Foot Traffic Flat for FTU members only!
- Free Smartwool Socks!
- Informational seminars with physical therapists, nutritionists, and more!
- Weekly emails and schedules listing both weekday and weekend workouts.
- Optional conditioning program
- Relaxed, no-pressure environment with over 200 people of ALL abilities.
- FUN, FUN, FUN!
- Cost: $85 (plus a $15 race fee discount!).
Questions/Contact: Email info@foottraffic.us, call 503.284.0345 or visit www.foottraffic.us/ftu.
Oregon's Max King named USATF Athlete of the Week
(11-11-09) From USATF Press Release - Max King has been named USA Track & Field's Athlete of the Week after winning the USA Marathon Trail Championships on Saturday in Ashland, Ore.
Only six days after finishing 18th in the ING NYC Marathon, King won his first national title in completing the Lithia Loop Marathon in 2 hours 40 minutes 23 seconds. His time broke Jeff Caba's course record by two minutes. King's finishing time in New York City was 2:19:11.
Now in its eighth year, USATF's Athlete of the Week program is designed to recognize outstanding performers at all levels of the sport. USATF names a new honoree each week and features the athlete on the USATF website. Selections are based on top performances and results from the previous week.
Winners: January 6, Mason Finley; January 13, Amber Campbell; January 20, Josh Cox; January 27, German Fernandez; February 3, Ashton Eaton; February 10, Shalane Flanagan; February 17, Galen Rupp; February 24, Dexter Faulk; March 3, Terrence Trammell; March 10, Diana Pickler; March 17, Galen Rupp; March 24, Sumi Onodera-Leonard; March 31, German Fernandez; April 7, Cyrus Hostetler; April 14, Curtis Beach; April 21, Kara Goucher; April 28, Mason Finley; May 5, Chris Derrick; May 12, Natalie Willer; May 19, Will Claye; May 26, Nadine O'Connor; June 2, Tyson Gay; June 9, Dwight Phillips; June 16, Galen Rupp; June 23, Kami Semick; June 30, Dawn Harper; July 7, Raevyn Rogers; July 14, Ryan Crouser; July 28, Anton Krupicka; August 11, Rita Hanscom; August 19, Christian Cantwell; August 26, Trey Hardee; September 1, Dathan Ritzenhein; September 9, Sanya Richards; September 15, Carmelita Jeter; September 23, Tyson Gay; Jamie Donaldson; October 7, Meb Keflezighi; October 14, Dathan Ritzenhein; October 21, Amy Palmiero-Winters; October 27, Sean Quigley; November 3 Meb Keflezighi; November 11, Max King.
Only six days after finishing 18th in the ING NYC Marathon, King won his first national title in completing the Lithia Loop Marathon in 2 hours 40 minutes 23 seconds. His time broke Jeff Caba's course record by two minutes. King's finishing time in New York City was 2:19:11.
Now in its eighth year, USATF's Athlete of the Week program is designed to recognize outstanding performers at all levels of the sport. USATF names a new honoree each week and features the athlete on the USATF website. Selections are based on top performances and results from the previous week.
Winners: January 6, Mason Finley; January 13, Amber Campbell; January 20, Josh Cox; January 27, German Fernandez; February 3, Ashton Eaton; February 10, Shalane Flanagan; February 17, Galen Rupp; February 24, Dexter Faulk; March 3, Terrence Trammell; March 10, Diana Pickler; March 17, Galen Rupp; March 24, Sumi Onodera-Leonard; March 31, German Fernandez; April 7, Cyrus Hostetler; April 14, Curtis Beach; April 21, Kara Goucher; April 28, Mason Finley; May 5, Chris Derrick; May 12, Natalie Willer; May 19, Will Claye; May 26, Nadine O'Connor; June 2, Tyson Gay; June 9, Dwight Phillips; June 16, Galen Rupp; June 23, Kami Semick; June 30, Dawn Harper; July 7, Raevyn Rogers; July 14, Ryan Crouser; July 28, Anton Krupicka; August 11, Rita Hanscom; August 19, Christian Cantwell; August 26, Trey Hardee; September 1, Dathan Ritzenhein; September 9, Sanya Richards; September 15, Carmelita Jeter; September 23, Tyson Gay; Jamie Donaldson; October 7, Meb Keflezighi; October 14, Dathan Ritzenhein; October 21, Amy Palmiero-Winters; October 27, Sean Quigley; November 3 Meb Keflezighi; November 11, Max King.
Meb Wins ING New York City Marathon, Leads Six Americans in Top 10
(11-1-09) 
From USATF Press Release - Proudly pointing to the bold "USA" written across his singlet and giving thumbs up to the Central Park crowd, Meb Keflezighi on Sunday became the first American man since 1982 to cross the finish line first at the ING New York City Marathon. He was joined by five additional American men in the top 10 in a banner day for US. men's distance running.
The 2004 Olympic silver medalist ran a brilliant strategic race, pulling away from four-time Boston Marathon Champion Robert Cheruiyot of Kenya in the final two miles to win in a personal-best time of 2:09:15. After finishing, he dropped down for a push-up and broke into tears before being greeted by his mother, wife and two daughters. "The memory of Ryan Shay is what I cried for," Meb said, referring to his American teammate who died in Central Park while running the Olympic Trials two years ago, the last time Meb ran in New York.
The win gave Keflezighi the USA marathon championship and his fourth national title of 2009, and he became the first American man to win in New York since Alberto Salazar's 1982 victory in 2:09:29. He earned a total prize-money payday of $170,000, including $130,000 for the overall win and an additional $40,000 for the U.S. title. He also finished atop the USA Running Series rankings for 2009, earning an additional $6,000.
In one of the strongest men's fields ever in New York, Cheruiyot placed second, 41 seconds back in 2:09:56, with Olympic silver medalist and two-time world champion Jaouad Gharib of Morocco third in 2:10:25. In total, Sunday's field included 14 men with personal bests under 2:10, including two-time New York champion Marilson Gomes dos Santos and 2004 champion Hendrick Ramaala.
Ryan Hall placed fourth overall in 2:10:36 to take second in the USA championship race, with Jorge Torres 7th overall in his marathon debut, in 2:13:00. Among Americans, Nick Arciniaga was eighth overall in 2:13:46, Abdi Abdirahman ninth in 2:14:00 and Jason Lehmkuhle 10th in 2:14:39, putting six Americans in the top 10 for the first time since 1979.
"It's a great day for American running and for USA Track & Field," said USATF CEO Doug Logan. "Based on the consistent upswing in our long-distance performances, we knew it would only be a matter of time until our men won another major marathon. We applaud Meb, and all our athletes today, for a great race. I promise that we will not have to wait 27 years for another victory."
Late-race surge
The men's lead pack went out at a modest pace, running a roughly 5:10 per mile for the first two miles. As the pace gradually quickened, five Americans stayed with the lead pack - Meb, Hall, Torres, Abdirahman and Bolota Asmerom. Meb and Hall led the pack through 11 miles in 54:38 as Abderrahime Bouramdane of Morocco, the 2008 Boston Marathon runner-up, threw in periodic surges that eventually were covered by the pack.
Coming onto Manhattan's First Avenue, at 16 miles, Ramaala led a break of four men that quickly returned to a 10-man pack. Abdirahman briefly took the lead in the 17th mile, after which point the lead pack began to string out.
A 4:37 split for mile 18 whittled the lead group to six, with Meb the lone American as Abdi, Hall and Torres fell back to eighth, ninth and 10th. Past 30 km, it became a four-man race, with Cheruiyot, Bouramdane, Meb and James Kwambai of Kenya, Cheruiyot's training partner and a past runner-up at Berlin, Boston and Rotterdam.
Meb made his move at 35 km, covered in 1:47:20, with only Cheruiyuot following him. The two men first ran shoulder-to-shoulder before Meb tucked in behind the tall Kenyan. A few minutes later, Cheruiyot motioned for Meb to take leading duties, but the experienced American wasn't having it.
Having placed second in New York in 2004 and third in 2005, Meb was running for the win.
When he moved to the lead at mile 24, reached in 1:58:23, he intended not to relinquish it. He had four seconds on Cheruiyot, and that margin only increased as the finish neared.
Running alone for the final stretch in Central Park, Keflezighi celebrated his first career victory at the marathon distance, paid tribute to Shay, and celebrated the return of Americans to the top of the podium.
Tulu wins women's race
In a race that was expected to be little more than another coronation for world record holder Paula Radcliffe, Ethiopia's Derartu Tulu emerged a surprise winner. With a conservative pace from the gun, the women's lead pack eventually whittled down to Christelle Daunay of France, Ludmila Petrova of Russia, Radcliffe and Tulu. It was a quartet of experience, with all four women over 34: Daunay is 34, Radcliffe 35, Tulu 37 and Petrova 41.
Struggling with tendonitis behind her knee , Radcliffe began to flag in the final miles, and it came down to a two-woman race between Petrova and Tulu, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and one-time bronze medalist at 10,000 meters. Shortly before turning into Central Park, with about 600 meters remaining, Tulu pulled away to win in 2:28:52, with Petrova second in 2:29:00 and Daunay third in 2:19:16. Radcliffe was fourth in 2:29:27. Magdalena Lewy Boulet was the top American woman, placing sixth in 2:32:17.
Joan Benoit Samuelson on Sunday became the fastest female marathoner over age 50, finishing in 2:49:09. The 52-year-old's performance came 25 years after she became the first women's Olympic marathon gold medalist at the 1984 Games in Los Angeles.
For complete results from the ING New York City Marathon, visit www.nycmarathon.org.
For more on USATF and the USA Running Circuit, visit www.usatf.org.
About the USA Running Circuit
The USA Men's Marathon Championships was the final race on the 2009 USA Running Circuit (USARC). The USARC is a USA Track & Field road series, featuring USA Championships from 5 km to the marathon and attracts the best U.S. distance runners.
The USARC is a USA Track & Field road series featuring USA Championships from one mile to the marathon, which attracts the best U.S. distance runners. The 2009 USARC has ten events each for men and women. The first ten U.S. runners earn points at each USARC race (15 for first, 12 for second, 10 for third, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1), with a final $12,500 grand prix purse ($6,000, $4,000, and $2,500) for the top three men and women point scorers overall. The USARC points at the USA Marathon Championships were doubled.
The mission of the USA Running Circuit is to showcase, support, and promote U.S. runners. Since its inception in 1995, the USARC and its races have provided over $6 million dollars to U.S. distance runners.
From USATF Press Release - Proudly pointing to the bold "USA" written across his singlet and giving thumbs up to the Central Park crowd, Meb Keflezighi on Sunday became the first American man since 1982 to cross the finish line first at the ING New York City Marathon. He was joined by five additional American men in the top 10 in a banner day for US. men's distance running.The 2004 Olympic silver medalist ran a brilliant strategic race, pulling away from four-time Boston Marathon Champion Robert Cheruiyot of Kenya in the final two miles to win in a personal-best time of 2:09:15. After finishing, he dropped down for a push-up and broke into tears before being greeted by his mother, wife and two daughters. "The memory of Ryan Shay is what I cried for," Meb said, referring to his American teammate who died in Central Park while running the Olympic Trials two years ago, the last time Meb ran in New York.
The win gave Keflezighi the USA marathon championship and his fourth national title of 2009, and he became the first American man to win in New York since Alberto Salazar's 1982 victory in 2:09:29. He earned a total prize-money payday of $170,000, including $130,000 for the overall win and an additional $40,000 for the U.S. title. He also finished atop the USA Running Series rankings for 2009, earning an additional $6,000.
In one of the strongest men's fields ever in New York, Cheruiyot placed second, 41 seconds back in 2:09:56, with Olympic silver medalist and two-time world champion Jaouad Gharib of Morocco third in 2:10:25. In total, Sunday's field included 14 men with personal bests under 2:10, including two-time New York champion Marilson Gomes dos Santos and 2004 champion Hendrick Ramaala.
Ryan Hall placed fourth overall in 2:10:36 to take second in the USA championship race, with Jorge Torres 7th overall in his marathon debut, in 2:13:00. Among Americans, Nick Arciniaga was eighth overall in 2:13:46, Abdi Abdirahman ninth in 2:14:00 and Jason Lehmkuhle 10th in 2:14:39, putting six Americans in the top 10 for the first time since 1979.
"It's a great day for American running and for USA Track & Field," said USATF CEO Doug Logan. "Based on the consistent upswing in our long-distance performances, we knew it would only be a matter of time until our men won another major marathon. We applaud Meb, and all our athletes today, for a great race. I promise that we will not have to wait 27 years for another victory."
Late-race surge
The men's lead pack went out at a modest pace, running a roughly 5:10 per mile for the first two miles. As the pace gradually quickened, five Americans stayed with the lead pack - Meb, Hall, Torres, Abdirahman and Bolota Asmerom. Meb and Hall led the pack through 11 miles in 54:38 as Abderrahime Bouramdane of Morocco, the 2008 Boston Marathon runner-up, threw in periodic surges that eventually were covered by the pack.
Coming onto Manhattan's First Avenue, at 16 miles, Ramaala led a break of four men that quickly returned to a 10-man pack. Abdirahman briefly took the lead in the 17th mile, after which point the lead pack began to string out.
A 4:37 split for mile 18 whittled the lead group to six, with Meb the lone American as Abdi, Hall and Torres fell back to eighth, ninth and 10th. Past 30 km, it became a four-man race, with Cheruiyot, Bouramdane, Meb and James Kwambai of Kenya, Cheruiyot's training partner and a past runner-up at Berlin, Boston and Rotterdam.
Meb made his move at 35 km, covered in 1:47:20, with only Cheruiyuot following him. The two men first ran shoulder-to-shoulder before Meb tucked in behind the tall Kenyan. A few minutes later, Cheruiyot motioned for Meb to take leading duties, but the experienced American wasn't having it.
Having placed second in New York in 2004 and third in 2005, Meb was running for the win.
When he moved to the lead at mile 24, reached in 1:58:23, he intended not to relinquish it. He had four seconds on Cheruiyot, and that margin only increased as the finish neared.
Running alone for the final stretch in Central Park, Keflezighi celebrated his first career victory at the marathon distance, paid tribute to Shay, and celebrated the return of Americans to the top of the podium.
Tulu wins women's race
In a race that was expected to be little more than another coronation for world record holder Paula Radcliffe, Ethiopia's Derartu Tulu emerged a surprise winner. With a conservative pace from the gun, the women's lead pack eventually whittled down to Christelle Daunay of France, Ludmila Petrova of Russia, Radcliffe and Tulu. It was a quartet of experience, with all four women over 34: Daunay is 34, Radcliffe 35, Tulu 37 and Petrova 41.
Struggling with tendonitis behind her knee , Radcliffe began to flag in the final miles, and it came down to a two-woman race between Petrova and Tulu, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and one-time bronze medalist at 10,000 meters. Shortly before turning into Central Park, with about 600 meters remaining, Tulu pulled away to win in 2:28:52, with Petrova second in 2:29:00 and Daunay third in 2:19:16. Radcliffe was fourth in 2:29:27. Magdalena Lewy Boulet was the top American woman, placing sixth in 2:32:17.
Joan Benoit Samuelson on Sunday became the fastest female marathoner over age 50, finishing in 2:49:09. The 52-year-old's performance came 25 years after she became the first women's Olympic marathon gold medalist at the 1984 Games in Los Angeles.
For complete results from the ING New York City Marathon, visit www.nycmarathon.org.
For more on USATF and the USA Running Circuit, visit www.usatf.org.
About the USA Running Circuit
The USA Men's Marathon Championships was the final race on the 2009 USA Running Circuit (USARC). The USARC is a USA Track & Field road series, featuring USA Championships from 5 km to the marathon and attracts the best U.S. distance runners.
The USARC is a USA Track & Field road series featuring USA Championships from one mile to the marathon, which attracts the best U.S. distance runners. The 2009 USARC has ten events each for men and women. The first ten U.S. runners earn points at each USARC race (15 for first, 12 for second, 10 for third, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1), with a final $12,500 grand prix purse ($6,000, $4,000, and $2,500) for the top three men and women point scorers overall. The USARC points at the USA Marathon Championships were doubled.
The mission of the USA Running Circuit is to showcase, support, and promote U.S. runners. Since its inception in 1995, the USARC and its races have provided over $6 million dollars to U.S. distance runners.
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