(6-29-10) Submitted by Dave Campbell - After completing the Pacific Crest Long Course Triathlon eight times in the last 12 years, I was ready for a change so this year I raced the Olympic-distance for the first time. What a fun event! I may never go back to the hot, drawn-out suffering of the long course! To experience the beautiful views of the Cascades, the tall pine trees, the clean, dry, warm, mountain air and finishing your race by lunch time with enough energy left over to go swimming with the kids in the afternoon was wonderful! Nearly 600 athletes made their way up to Wickiup Reservoir for one of the final events of the magnificent Pacific Crest Endurance Sports Weekend.
The lake temperature was 63 degrees, but was paired with warm sunshine pouring down from above. The 1500-meter clockwise swim exited onto the boat ramp at the reservoir where athletes then saddled up for a 28-mile rolling bike ride with a moderate three-mile long climb at the midpoint. The steeper slopes of the climb were punctuated by several false flats, breaking it up, and allowing recovery before a long, fast drag down into Sunriver. The 10-kilometer run looped counter clockwise around the resort village on the bike paths.
The fastest swimmer was 30-year-old Lauren Thies of Portland, over a minute and a half faster than her nearest female competitor (Beth Steen of Phoenix, AZ) and over 20 seconds quicker than the fastest male. The honor of “first out of the water”, however, (due to the wave starts) was 30-year-old Chris Boudreaux of Portland, OR in 20:37. Boudreaux, owner of Athletes Lounge in Portland, was one of about twenty athletes starting in the elite wave, while age group wave racer Brady Childs (age 28) posted the fasted men’s swim split in 20:18.
Curiously, as I racked my bike Sunday morning, I had the thought that given the compulsive, driven nature of triathletes, it was only a matter of time until someone raced the long course triathlon on Saturday and then the Olympic on Sunday. And sure enough, it happened this year! Saturday’s third place finisher Adam Zucco, 35, from Elburn, IL, exited the water just behind Boudreaux in 20:43. Amazing. The day after PCT Saturday, I have usually feel like I had been hit by a truck, and have been known to get up and have breakfast and then go back to bed. And yet here was Zucco, after four and a half hours of high elevation, hot, intense racing, not only toeing the line AGAIN but up with the leaders. WOW.
Zucco, laid down the law on the bike with a blistering pace of 25.12 miles per hour for a fastest bike split of 1:06:52. Boudreaux, however, was giving him quite a fight. After leaving T1 with a 15 second lead courtesy of his swim and a faster transition, Boudreaux was only 17 seconds slower on the bike. These two competitors were nearly a minute and a half faster than the next cyclist, 28-year-old Josh Johnston of Portland with two-time defending champion David Gettle of Weiser, ID another minute and half back. Again, Boudreaux’s slightly quicker transition put him BACK into the lead exiting T2… by ONE SCANT SECOND. On the run, the fresh legs of the Oregonian were up against the man from the Midwest who raced 70.3 miles the day before.
Meanwhile, in the women’s race, the experienced legs ruled the day. 50-year-old Lisa Magness of Bend was tenth fastest on the day with a 1:12:42 bike, and over a minute clear of 46-year-old Ann Davidson of Portland; a past winner here (15th best overall). 30-year-old Sarah Barkley of Richland, WA was third best in 1:14:01 (17th overall) to rise up the standings after a 31:11 swim. Exiting T2, Magness was in the lead with Davidson only a minute behind and both women well clear of strong swimmer Angie Smith, 37, from Salem, third overall leaving T2.
Defying the rising heat, fatigue, and logic, the amazing Zucco tore through the run in 37:17, fourth best on the day to break the tape in 2:06:56 for a near two minute victory, the 35-39 age group title and a stunning feat of endurance excellence over the weekend. Boudreaux ran a solid 39:05 (seventh best) to claim second and the 30-34 win. The fastest runner of the day was 20-year-old Grant Eldridge of Happy Valley, OR with an amazing 36:19 on the winding, twisting, and quite warm running course, which was covered with friendly and encouraging spectators and vacationers. This run put Eldridge in 10th overall and gave him the 20-24 title. Bend’s John Craft, 37, came up to third overall in 2:15:58 with his impressive 38:57 run. Nearly a minute back in fourth was Robert Pritchett of Ellensburg, WA, 3rd best runner on the day with a smoking 37:07. 28-year-old Gettle was fifth overall in 2:16:52 and winner of the 25-29 age division, a little over a minute clear of strong cyclist Johnston with Nicholas Brown of Corvallis, OR less than 30 seconds back for 7th overall and third in a competitive age group. I was eighth overall in 2:18:44, just 31 seconds clear of a very hard-charging Andy Libert (Blue Lake Masters winner) of Eugene, and thrilled to take the Masters and 40-44 title. This being Central Oregon, the race would not be complete without 80 years young Lew Hollander of Bend, a past World Masters Champion, beating over 100 athletes much younger than he in 3:34:34!
Team Cooper of Bend, OR topped all relay teams in 2:39:25. 36-year-old Laura Cooper swam a 33:06, then hustled down to Sunriver to log a 45:06 run. 37-year-old Christopher Cooper, meanwhile biked the 28 miles in 1:19:54.
Perhaps the greatest thing about the Pacific Crest events is that you are in Sunriver, OR for the all of the weekend’s racing. Great swimming, weather, and outdoor recreational opportunities abound as you recover and enjoy family and friends and trade war stories over barbeques. And there is always the next race! For me, it will be the Haag Lake Olympic Distance Race July 10th, a Northwest classic, and the TRI NorthWest Regional Championship. It is hard and hilly and I hope to see you there!
Complete results for this year's races can be found at www.racecenter.com - click on RESULTS. Video highlights can be found here: www.ktvz.com.
Olympic Triathlon
Overall Men
1. Adam Zucco, 35, 2:06:56, Elburn, IL
2. Chris Boudreaux, 30, 2:08:43, Portland, OR
3. John Craft, 37, 2:15:58, Bend, OR
Overall Women
1. Ann Davidson, 46, 2:24:39, Portland, OR
2. Beth Steen, 29, 2:29:15, Phoenix, AZ
3. Lisa Magness, 50, 2:30:18, Bend, OR
Olympic Duathlon
Overall Men
1. Chris Harig, 37, 1:46:53, Issaquah, WA
2. Dave Florence, 43, 1:49:07, Canby, OR
3. Sean Campbell, 43, 1:49:39, Klamath Falls, OR
Overall Women
1. Angela Allen, 42, 2:10:28, Sherwood, OR
2. Heather Leach, 52, 2:12:39, Seattle, WA
3. Kathryn Davis, 44, 2:16:04, Stanfield, OR
Pacific Crest 2010 Wrap-Up
(6-28-10) The last weekend in June is one of the biggest (and busiest) of the season for endurance sports in the Northwest each year - and 2010 proved no different. With Rock 'n' Roll taking place in Seattle and Ironman Coeur d'Alene taking place in Idaho, the 2010 Pacific Crest Weekend Sports Festival was lighting up Central Oregon.
Over 5,000 participants took part in this year's Pacific Crest events, which spanned three days and offered ten separate races - with a little something for everyone.
The marquee event of the weekend was the long course triathlon, which was held on Saturday, June 26. Participants swam 1.2 miles in Wickiup Reservoir, then rode 58 miles up the Cascade Lakes Highway before returning to the resort community of Sunriver where they completed the 13.1-mile half marathon.
Also held on Saturday was an endurance duathlon (sans swim), half marathon and marathon. Sunday offered an Olympic triathlon and duathlon, as well as a 5k, 10k and kids dash. Adam Zucco of Elburn, IL apparently used Saturday's long course triathlon (in which he placed 3rd overall) as a warm up for Sunday's Olympic-distance triathlon where he outran Portland's Chris Boudreaux for the overall win.
Complete results for this year's races can be found at www.racecenter.com - click on RESULTS. Video highlights can be found here: www.ktvz.com.
SATURDAY - PACIFIC CREST OVERALL RESULTS
Long Course Triathlon
Overall Men
1. Chris Bagg, 31, 4:07:46, Portland, OR
2. Damian Hill, 27, 4:08:57, Portland, OR
3. Adam Zucco, 35, 4:25:31, Elburn, IL
Overall Women
1. Mackenzie Madison, 23, 4:42:53, Eugene, OR
2. Amy Bottenberg, 37, 4:51:22, Reno, NV
3. Courtenay Brown, 31, 4:52:23, Lake Forest Park, WA
Endurance Duathlon
Overall Men
1. Scott Kocher, 35, 4:12:56, Portland, OR
2. B Bottenberg, 46, 4:32:38, Reno, NV
3. Kirk Herring, 55, 4:33:50, Spokane, WA
Overall Women
1. Holly Graham, 32, 4:45:16, Tucson, AZ
2. Kelli Reed, 42, 5:12:32, Eugene, OR
3. April Shepherd, 33, 5:17:59, Portland, OR
Half Marathon
Overall Men
1. Kalpanatit Broderick, 29, 1:12:10, Bend, OR
2. Tim Monaco, 44, 1:22:39, Bend, OR
3. Jeff Nielsen, 40, 1:22:47, Corvallis, OR
Overall Women
1. Jessica Dobek, 30, 1:23:20, Tualatin, OR
2. Jennifer Seibel, 36, 1:32:01, West Linn, OR
3. Nicole Smith, 30, 1:34:50, Bend, OR
Marathon
Overall Men
1. Holden Rennaker, 19, 2:58:31, Portland, OR
2. Gary Krugger, 25, 2:59:37, Edinboro, PA
3. Tom Moline, 42, 3:01:42, Hood River, OR
Overall Women
1. Sabine Pullins, 37, 3:09:55, Bend, OR
2. Erin Perkin, 35, 3:17:36, Tigard, OR
3. Jenna Peterson, 20, 3:17:44, Spokane, WA
SUNDAY - PACIFIC CREST OVERALL RESULTS
Olympic Triathlon
Overall Men
1. Adam Zucco, 35, 2:06:56, Elburn, IL
2. Chris Boudreaux, 30, 2:08:43, Portland, OR
3. John Craft, 37, 2:15:58, Bend, OR
Overall Women
1. Ann Davidson, 46, 2:24:39, Portland, OR
2. Beth Steen, 29, 2:29:15, Phoenix, AZ
3. Lisa Magness, 50, 2:30:18, Bend, OR
Olympic Duathlon
Overall Men
1. Chris Harig, 37, 1:46:53, Issaquah, WA
2. Dave Florence, 43, 1:49:07, Canby, OR
3. Sean Campbell, 43, 1:49:39, Klamath Falls, OR
Overall Women
1. Angela Allen, 42, 2:10:28, Sherwood, OR
2. Heather Leach, 52, 2:12:39, Seattle, WA
3. Kathryn Davis, 44, 2:16:04, Stanfield, OR
5k
Overall Men
1. Brian Marshall, 13, 0:18:12, Bend, OR
2. Criss Duncan, 38, 0:18:37, Malin, OR
3, Jason Townsend, 34, 0:18:46, Bend, OR
Overall Women
1. Macayla Claver, 19, 0:19:16, Malin, OR
2. Katie Thronson, 9, 0:21:20, Spokane, WA
3, Malia Carr, 19, 0:21:53, Battle Ground, WA
10k
Overall Men
1. Timothy Badly, 25, 0:34:31, Bend, OR
2. Scott Gage, 20, 0:35:05, Bend, OR
3, Jeff Smith, 36, 0:35:22, Sherwood, OR
Overall Women
1. Jordyn Smith, 23, 0:39:10, Eugene, OR
2. Brittany Oregan, 21, 0:39:57, Spokane, WA
3, Chelsea Farber, 25, 0:47:01, Eugene, OR
Over 5,000 participants took part in this year's Pacific Crest events, which spanned three days and offered ten separate races - with a little something for everyone.
The marquee event of the weekend was the long course triathlon, which was held on Saturday, June 26. Participants swam 1.2 miles in Wickiup Reservoir, then rode 58 miles up the Cascade Lakes Highway before returning to the resort community of Sunriver where they completed the 13.1-mile half marathon.
Also held on Saturday was an endurance duathlon (sans swim), half marathon and marathon. Sunday offered an Olympic triathlon and duathlon, as well as a 5k, 10k and kids dash. Adam Zucco of Elburn, IL apparently used Saturday's long course triathlon (in which he placed 3rd overall) as a warm up for Sunday's Olympic-distance triathlon where he outran Portland's Chris Boudreaux for the overall win.
Complete results for this year's races can be found at www.racecenter.com - click on RESULTS. Video highlights can be found here: www.ktvz.com.
SATURDAY - PACIFIC CREST OVERALL RESULTS
Long Course Triathlon
Overall Men
1. Chris Bagg, 31, 4:07:46, Portland, OR
2. Damian Hill, 27, 4:08:57, Portland, OR
3. Adam Zucco, 35, 4:25:31, Elburn, IL
Overall Women
1. Mackenzie Madison, 23, 4:42:53, Eugene, OR
2. Amy Bottenberg, 37, 4:51:22, Reno, NV
3. Courtenay Brown, 31, 4:52:23, Lake Forest Park, WA
Endurance Duathlon
Overall Men
1. Scott Kocher, 35, 4:12:56, Portland, OR
2. B Bottenberg, 46, 4:32:38, Reno, NV
3. Kirk Herring, 55, 4:33:50, Spokane, WA
Overall Women
1. Holly Graham, 32, 4:45:16, Tucson, AZ
2. Kelli Reed, 42, 5:12:32, Eugene, OR
3. April Shepherd, 33, 5:17:59, Portland, OR
Half Marathon
Overall Men
1. Kalpanatit Broderick, 29, 1:12:10, Bend, OR
2. Tim Monaco, 44, 1:22:39, Bend, OR
3. Jeff Nielsen, 40, 1:22:47, Corvallis, OR
Overall Women
1. Jessica Dobek, 30, 1:23:20, Tualatin, OR
2. Jennifer Seibel, 36, 1:32:01, West Linn, OR
3. Nicole Smith, 30, 1:34:50, Bend, OR
Marathon
Overall Men
1. Holden Rennaker, 19, 2:58:31, Portland, OR
2. Gary Krugger, 25, 2:59:37, Edinboro, PA
3. Tom Moline, 42, 3:01:42, Hood River, OR
Overall Women
1. Sabine Pullins, 37, 3:09:55, Bend, OR
2. Erin Perkin, 35, 3:17:36, Tigard, OR
3. Jenna Peterson, 20, 3:17:44, Spokane, WA
SUNDAY - PACIFIC CREST OVERALL RESULTS
Olympic Triathlon
Overall Men
1. Adam Zucco, 35, 2:06:56, Elburn, IL
2. Chris Boudreaux, 30, 2:08:43, Portland, OR
3. John Craft, 37, 2:15:58, Bend, OR
Overall Women
1. Ann Davidson, 46, 2:24:39, Portland, OR
2. Beth Steen, 29, 2:29:15, Phoenix, AZ
3. Lisa Magness, 50, 2:30:18, Bend, OR
Olympic Duathlon
Overall Men
1. Chris Harig, 37, 1:46:53, Issaquah, WA
2. Dave Florence, 43, 1:49:07, Canby, OR
3. Sean Campbell, 43, 1:49:39, Klamath Falls, OR
Overall Women
1. Angela Allen, 42, 2:10:28, Sherwood, OR
2. Heather Leach, 52, 2:12:39, Seattle, WA
3. Kathryn Davis, 44, 2:16:04, Stanfield, OR
5k
Overall Men
1. Brian Marshall, 13, 0:18:12, Bend, OR
2. Criss Duncan, 38, 0:18:37, Malin, OR
3, Jason Townsend, 34, 0:18:46, Bend, OR
Overall Women
1. Macayla Claver, 19, 0:19:16, Malin, OR
2. Katie Thronson, 9, 0:21:20, Spokane, WA
3, Malia Carr, 19, 0:21:53, Battle Ground, WA
10k
Overall Men
1. Timothy Badly, 25, 0:34:31, Bend, OR
2. Scott Gage, 20, 0:35:05, Bend, OR
3, Jeff Smith, 36, 0:35:22, Sherwood, OR
Overall Women
1. Jordyn Smith, 23, 0:39:10, Eugene, OR
2. Brittany Oregan, 21, 0:39:57, Spokane, WA
3, Chelsea Farber, 25, 0:47:01, Eugene, OR
Eugene's Lauren Fleshman Caps Comeback with Second National 5000M Title
(6-25-10) By David Monti, (c) 2010 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved - A year and a day ago in Eugene, Ore., Lauren Fleshman failed to show up on the starting line of the 5000m at the USA Outdoor Championships. Plagued by a series of mechanical problems stemming from a broken navicular bone in her foot that spawned other injuries, the 2006 USA 5000m champion scratched from the race, unable to compete. She seriously considered retiring at 27.
"If you'd have talked to me 12 months ago I was ready to, I don't know, open up a shoe store or something else," Fleshman said after winning her second national 5000m title here tonight. "Move to another state. I was very frustrated."
But under the patient coaching of Marc Rowland at the Nike Oregon Track Club in Eugene, the former NCAA champion at for Stanford University had been slowly working her way back to the form which put her on two national 5000m teams for the IAAF World Championships, and allowed her to run a personal best of 14:58.48 in 2008.
"If I didn't have coach Rowland and the Oregon Track Club, I don't know if I would have made it back," Fleshman explained, her wavy light brown hair pulled back into a ponytail. "I definitely wouldn't have been national champion this quickly. So, I'm full of gratitude for my situation in Oregon. I can't say it enough."
In tonight's race, Fleshman ran most of the way in the pack and did not respond immediately to a big surge by three-time Olympian Jen Rhines who threw in a 69.7-second lap with 5 laps to go. Rhines managed to build an eight-second lead with four laps to go, and it appeared that her aggressive strategy might work.
"My thinking was to go with five or six laps to go, but I got antsy," said Rhines. "I was just trying to get out of the habit of just running for second or third."
With two laps to go, Rhines's lead was down to five seconds. Fleshman was working with Molly Huddle to catch the 2002 USA 10,000m champion, and with 600 meters left in the race decided to go for the win.
"It was just knowing that I had enough left to put on a good kick," said Fleshman. "I didn't know if it would be enough to win, but I just got this smirk where I knew I had something left."
Running 66.9 seconds for the final lap, Fleshman was too far in front for the chasing Huddle to catch her, stopping the clock at 15:28.70. Huddle came next in 15:30.89, and steeplechaser Jenny Barringer third 15:33.33. Rhines was fourth.
Fleshman's return to the top was painstaking. She said that she had to totally reinvent herself by changing her form, strengthening weak muscles, but most of all taking things one step at a time. She said that she couldn't put together four weeks of training without getting reinjured.
"I had to first take it day by day, never think more than one day at a time, never get frustrated, try not to think about how good I had been," she said. "It's really all about learning to live in the moment, which is hard to do." She added: "I just reinvented myself from the ground up with help."
That help came from a chiropractor named Dr. Ted Forcum and a physical therapist named Robyn Pester, Fleshman said. "'I need to start over and I need you two guys to help me,'" Fleshman recalled telling them. "And they did. They were the first two to jump on board helping me."
Fleshman won a trail run last September in Bend, Ore., then a road 5-K last October. She didn't step on the track again until last April when she won the low-key Oregon Relays 5000m in 15:42.46, giving her a qualifying mark for tonight's meet. She also ran a special 1500m race for elite athletes held at the Oregon State high school championships, clocking 4:12.30. Arriving at Drake Stadium this afternoon, she wasn't completely sure she was ready to mix it up with the other contenders.
"There was a big part of me which wasn't sure, but there was this little part of me which felt that I might be able to win it," she said. "And that scared the crap out of me."
While her victory in 2006 was satisfying, Fleshman said it had far less meaning than tonight's.
"This one is so sweet," she said, her eyes growing misty. "I mean, I don't know how else to put it."
* * * * * *
The men's 5000m final was far more predictable. Off of a slow pace, Bernard Lagat overwhelmed the field with his final 100-meter sprint to win easily in 13:54.08, collecting his third USA 5000m title. Tim Nelson, an aspiring marathoner, finished second (13:54.80) and Georgetown star Andrew Bumbalough ran his final race as a Hoya, finishing third in 13:55.16.
When asked if it was an easy victory, Lagat smiled, paused and said, "No. It was a great race."
Lagat said that he was thankful for the slow pace because he was feeling some fatigue from his recent 5000m American record in Oslo on June 4 (12:54.12) and his 1500m race in New York on June 12 (3:34.36). He compared tonight's effort with a tempo run.
"I didn't come here to run a fast time," said the reigning world 3000m indoor champion. "I promised people here that when I came for the Drake Relays that I'm coming back in June. I'm glad I did."
"If you'd have talked to me 12 months ago I was ready to, I don't know, open up a shoe store or something else," Fleshman said after winning her second national 5000m title here tonight. "Move to another state. I was very frustrated."
But under the patient coaching of Marc Rowland at the Nike Oregon Track Club in Eugene, the former NCAA champion at for Stanford University had been slowly working her way back to the form which put her on two national 5000m teams for the IAAF World Championships, and allowed her to run a personal best of 14:58.48 in 2008.
"If I didn't have coach Rowland and the Oregon Track Club, I don't know if I would have made it back," Fleshman explained, her wavy light brown hair pulled back into a ponytail. "I definitely wouldn't have been national champion this quickly. So, I'm full of gratitude for my situation in Oregon. I can't say it enough."
In tonight's race, Fleshman ran most of the way in the pack and did not respond immediately to a big surge by three-time Olympian Jen Rhines who threw in a 69.7-second lap with 5 laps to go. Rhines managed to build an eight-second lead with four laps to go, and it appeared that her aggressive strategy might work.
"My thinking was to go with five or six laps to go, but I got antsy," said Rhines. "I was just trying to get out of the habit of just running for second or third."
With two laps to go, Rhines's lead was down to five seconds. Fleshman was working with Molly Huddle to catch the 2002 USA 10,000m champion, and with 600 meters left in the race decided to go for the win.
"It was just knowing that I had enough left to put on a good kick," said Fleshman. "I didn't know if it would be enough to win, but I just got this smirk where I knew I had something left."
Running 66.9 seconds for the final lap, Fleshman was too far in front for the chasing Huddle to catch her, stopping the clock at 15:28.70. Huddle came next in 15:30.89, and steeplechaser Jenny Barringer third 15:33.33. Rhines was fourth.
Fleshman's return to the top was painstaking. She said that she had to totally reinvent herself by changing her form, strengthening weak muscles, but most of all taking things one step at a time. She said that she couldn't put together four weeks of training without getting reinjured.
"I had to first take it day by day, never think more than one day at a time, never get frustrated, try not to think about how good I had been," she said. "It's really all about learning to live in the moment, which is hard to do." She added: "I just reinvented myself from the ground up with help."
That help came from a chiropractor named Dr. Ted Forcum and a physical therapist named Robyn Pester, Fleshman said. "'I need to start over and I need you two guys to help me,'" Fleshman recalled telling them. "And they did. They were the first two to jump on board helping me."
Fleshman won a trail run last September in Bend, Ore., then a road 5-K last October. She didn't step on the track again until last April when she won the low-key Oregon Relays 5000m in 15:42.46, giving her a qualifying mark for tonight's meet. She also ran a special 1500m race for elite athletes held at the Oregon State high school championships, clocking 4:12.30. Arriving at Drake Stadium this afternoon, she wasn't completely sure she was ready to mix it up with the other contenders.
"There was a big part of me which wasn't sure, but there was this little part of me which felt that I might be able to win it," she said. "And that scared the crap out of me."
While her victory in 2006 was satisfying, Fleshman said it had far less meaning than tonight's.
"This one is so sweet," she said, her eyes growing misty. "I mean, I don't know how else to put it."
* * * * * *
The men's 5000m final was far more predictable. Off of a slow pace, Bernard Lagat overwhelmed the field with his final 100-meter sprint to win easily in 13:54.08, collecting his third USA 5000m title. Tim Nelson, an aspiring marathoner, finished second (13:54.80) and Georgetown star Andrew Bumbalough ran his final race as a Hoya, finishing third in 13:55.16.
When asked if it was an easy victory, Lagat smiled, paused and said, "No. It was a great race."
Lagat said that he was thankful for the slow pace because he was feeling some fatigue from his recent 5000m American record in Oslo on June 4 (12:54.12) and his 1500m race in New York on June 12 (3:34.36). He compared tonight's effort with a tempo run.
"I didn't come here to run a fast time," said the reigning world 3000m indoor champion. "I promised people here that when I came for the Drake Relays that I'm coming back in June. I'm glad I did."
Oregon's Galen Rupp and Amy Begley Repeat as USA 10,000M Champions
(6-25-10) By David Monti, (c) 2010 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved - The Nike Oregon Track Club ruled supreme at Drake Stadium here tonight as Amy Begley and Galen Rupp both successfully defended their national 10,000m titles in tactical races. On a comfortably warm and moderately humid night, both athletes used superior closing speed in the final lap to secure their victories for coach Alberto Salazar.
For Begley, 32, a Beijing Olympian at 10,000m, her victory was bittersweet. With 16 laps to go in the 25-lap race, she latched onto the back of NCAA 10,000m champion Lisa Koll, an Iowa native, who pushed to the lead and brought the small crowd to their feet. And there Begley would stay, lap after lap, as Koll churned out steady 76 and 77-second circuits.
"I'm usually the one who leads and people sit on me," Begley told reporters after the race. "Alberto told me just to wait until 800 to go. But, I feel really guilty doing that. I mean, I'm ten years older than Lisa. I feel so bad doing that for 25 laps."
Each time Koll came down the homestretch with Begley in tow, the crowd would cheer for the Iowa State star, something which Koll said made a big difference in her performance.
"The crowd was awesome," Koll said after the race. "I walked out, and I walked down the backstretch and I could hear everyone just like, 'Go Lisa, go Iowa State!' When I came down the front, there was like a roar. There's nothing like that to pump you up."
Koll knew that she couldn't outkick the faster Begley, so she began to pick up the pace with three laps to go. She ran 74.8 seconds, then 72.9 for the penultimate lap, but she could not shake Begley. With about 500 meters to go, Begley surged to the lead to take the bell, and within a few strides she had a big gap on Koll. The former Arkansas Razorback ran her last loop in 65.2 seconds to win in a stadium record 32:06.45.
"This race was all about how fast I could go the last lap," Begley explained. "To compete at the world level, they close in 56." She added: "Right now my goal is to get closer and closer to 60 seconds."
Koll, who clocked 32:11.72, was satisfied with her runner-up finish in what would probably be her last race in Iowa until, perhaps, next year's Drake Relays. "I knew she was going to be there at the end," Koll said of Begley. "I think anybody who's done a lot of races, who's seen a lot of races, knows that she's really great. I knew that she was going to be feeling good."
Rupp's race was similar to Begley's, but was a painfully slow affair in the early laps. The first kilometer was passed in only 3:06.7, and halfway in only 14:57.5.
"You never know in championship races," Rupp said with a chuckle about the slow pace. "Last year when I was in the NCAA's it kind of got me used to it, going out slow and just being ready for anything."
Rupp stayed well back in the pack, and was in 17th place with 19 laps to go. But the former Oregon Duck responded quickly when James Carney threw un a 62.9 second lap with 16 laps to go and took the lead. Patrick Smyth, Ed Moran and Ryan Sheehan also covered the move, creating a small separation from the main field.
But the pace would soon sag and the field came back together, until Smyth ran a 66.2-second lap with six laps to go. Smyth faded, leaving Moran on the lead who kept things in the 65 second range, dropping everyone but Rupp.
"I made some good decisions and put myself in good places and responded to all the moves," Moran said of his strategy.
All but one. With 600 meters to go, Rupp decided it was time to put the race away and quickly spurted ahead of Moran. Running easily, he split the last 400 meters in 59.5 to secure the win in 28:59.29 to Moran's 29:03.07. Winning, Rupp said, was that tonight's race was all about.
"It was like Al Davis said, 'Just win, baby,'" Rupp said referring to the former American football coach. "That's all we're trying to do in these races."
For Begley, 32, a Beijing Olympian at 10,000m, her victory was bittersweet. With 16 laps to go in the 25-lap race, she latched onto the back of NCAA 10,000m champion Lisa Koll, an Iowa native, who pushed to the lead and brought the small crowd to their feet. And there Begley would stay, lap after lap, as Koll churned out steady 76 and 77-second circuits.
"I'm usually the one who leads and people sit on me," Begley told reporters after the race. "Alberto told me just to wait until 800 to go. But, I feel really guilty doing that. I mean, I'm ten years older than Lisa. I feel so bad doing that for 25 laps."
Each time Koll came down the homestretch with Begley in tow, the crowd would cheer for the Iowa State star, something which Koll said made a big difference in her performance.
"The crowd was awesome," Koll said after the race. "I walked out, and I walked down the backstretch and I could hear everyone just like, 'Go Lisa, go Iowa State!' When I came down the front, there was like a roar. There's nothing like that to pump you up."
Koll knew that she couldn't outkick the faster Begley, so she began to pick up the pace with three laps to go. She ran 74.8 seconds, then 72.9 for the penultimate lap, but she could not shake Begley. With about 500 meters to go, Begley surged to the lead to take the bell, and within a few strides she had a big gap on Koll. The former Arkansas Razorback ran her last loop in 65.2 seconds to win in a stadium record 32:06.45.
"This race was all about how fast I could go the last lap," Begley explained. "To compete at the world level, they close in 56." She added: "Right now my goal is to get closer and closer to 60 seconds."
Koll, who clocked 32:11.72, was satisfied with her runner-up finish in what would probably be her last race in Iowa until, perhaps, next year's Drake Relays. "I knew she was going to be there at the end," Koll said of Begley. "I think anybody who's done a lot of races, who's seen a lot of races, knows that she's really great. I knew that she was going to be feeling good."
Rupp's race was similar to Begley's, but was a painfully slow affair in the early laps. The first kilometer was passed in only 3:06.7, and halfway in only 14:57.5.
"You never know in championship races," Rupp said with a chuckle about the slow pace. "Last year when I was in the NCAA's it kind of got me used to it, going out slow and just being ready for anything."
Rupp stayed well back in the pack, and was in 17th place with 19 laps to go. But the former Oregon Duck responded quickly when James Carney threw un a 62.9 second lap with 16 laps to go and took the lead. Patrick Smyth, Ed Moran and Ryan Sheehan also covered the move, creating a small separation from the main field.
But the pace would soon sag and the field came back together, until Smyth ran a 66.2-second lap with six laps to go. Smyth faded, leaving Moran on the lead who kept things in the 65 second range, dropping everyone but Rupp.
"I made some good decisions and put myself in good places and responded to all the moves," Moran said of his strategy.
All but one. With 600 meters to go, Rupp decided it was time to put the race away and quickly spurted ahead of Moran. Running easily, he split the last 400 meters in 59.5 to secure the win in 28:59.29 to Moran's 29:03.07. Winning, Rupp said, was that tonight's race was all about.
"It was like Al Davis said, 'Just win, baby,'" Rupp said referring to the former American football coach. "That's all we're trying to do in these races."
Defending Ironman World Champion Chrissie Wellington Speaks with RaceCenter (+ Video)
(6-23-10) This past spring Uber-talented triathlete Chrissie Wellington was kind enough to take time out of her busy schedule for an exclusive interview with RaceCenter to chat as she prepares to continue her reign as the “Queen of Kona” at this year’s Ironman® World Championships in October. The following interview was originally featured in the April/May 2010 issue of RaceCenter Northwest Magazine. In addition to this interview, we came across this VIDEO INTERVIEW online where she speaks more about her racing and delves into her nutrition strategy.
RaceCenter Northwest: As you reflect on the accomplishments and lessons learned from the racing season, what sort of down time do you try and incorporate in your yearly plan?
Chrissie Wellington: I like to say that I train 24/7. It’s not just about the time when I am exercising. Training your body is about eating, sleeping and recovering to enable you to perform to your potential; so yes, I have to rest and relax each and every day between sessions. I like to talk to friends and family, watch DVDs, read books, play Scrabble, eat a lot, and sleep, of course! And after Kona each year, I have one month where I greatly reduce the training volume to about one hour a day. The mental break is just as important as the physical break, and all athletes (professional and amateur) should factor a period into their program where they take time out and do the things that don’t involve swim, bike and run.
RCNW: What's on your iPod — and do you use it in training?
CW: A wide variety of music. I like a bit of everything — the Killers, Kings of Leon, Placebo, U2, Foo Fighters, Queen, Dire Straights, Eric Clapton, and so much more besides! I do use an iPod in training — mainly when I run. I also use it before a race. I download some really special songs and then I bike or run part of the race course. That way, when I am actually racing I can hear those songs in my head as I go past key landmarks. The "Circle of Life" on the Lion King soundtrack is a particular favorite, as is "We Are the Champions" by Queen.
RCNW: What sort of recovery strategy do you employ with regard to nutrition?
CW: I love to eat! It’s the fuel that enables me to perform! I eat a healthy, well-balanced diet with complex carbs, meat and fish, fruit and vegetables, and lots of nuts, seeds and other "good fats." I love oatmeal and eat it every single day! I use Muscle Milk to recover after a hard training session — cake batter flavor is a particular favorite — it tastes so good, and gives me everything I need to recover and come back fighting. It is also important for me to fuel myself during training sessions of more than an hour, as this enables me to get the most out of that session, but also facilitates recovery. I use Cytomax citrus flavour energy drink, as well as muesli bars on longer bike rides.
RCNW: Many athletes are faced with the pressures of fitting in work, family and social life, as well as balancing their training regimen. Are there any specific "quality" workouts (hill repeats, for example) that you've found offer the largest gains given the time spent in the activity?
CW: I totally understand the difficulty that comes with juggling lots of balls; I did it myself as an amateur athlete. The key is to prioritize quality over quantity. More is not necessarily better, and it is vital that you only do the sessions that will make you improve, not neglecting the importance of rest and recovery.
I love doing hill repeats, on the bike and the run. On the bike, I do a 90-minute session with an hour of hill repeats. I do them in down on the aerobars, in a big gear and each repeat takes about five minutes. On the run, each repeat takes around 90-120 seconds, and I run these hard with a jog recovery back to the bottom of the hill. This is a great strength session and really tires your legs, in a good way!
It is hard to balance training, work, family, and social life. But the important thing is to do what you can, not to cram if you miss a session — just forget about it and move on to the next one. And remember that the sport is supposed to be fun!
RCNW: The climate in the UK is very similar to that of the Pacific Northwest in the off-season. What training advice would you give our readers as they face frequent inclement weather? And are there any strategies you use to keep your mood in check as you push through this time of year?
CW: I spend much of my time overseas chasing the sun, but as an amateur athlete I did live and train in the UK. Swimming can be done in any weather, so that’s easy. But for outdoor activities like biking and running, I would suggest that your readers wear the appropriate clothing to keep them warm and protected from the elements — gloves, a hat/balaclava, long sleeves, and leggings are a must.
Make sure your bike is fit for the weather conditions too, with lights and a mudguard if necessary. Winter tires will also help with grip on the wet roads. Remember that you can burn more calories in the cold, so make sure you fuel yourself, especially in sessions that are over 90 minutes. I also like to add slightly warm water to my energy drink on the bike, so it isn’t freezing cold when I come to drink it!
I also use the home trainer if the weather is really bad. These also give "bang for buck" bike sessions — a two-hour home trainer session is the equivalent of three hours on the road.
One other top tip would be to train with friends. It is hard to motivate yourself in the winter months. So if you have a training partner, that can make all the difference to the enjoyment of training. Most importantly, don’t forget to reward yourself with a huge mug of hot chocolate — after all, you deserve it!
RCNW: You've been down an interesting path over the past several years. You earned a Master's degree, which you put to use working in foreign development in several countries, including Nepal. But what does life look like after the sport of triathlon?
CW: I certainly have been down some very interesting paths! I believe that triathlon and sport generally have tremendous power — and can be a force for considerable change. I feel very strongly that as a professional triathlete, my impact and message should be wider than my performance on the race course, and last longer than my athletic career. I am an ambassador for a number of organizations, like Jon Blais’ Blazeman Foundation for ALS (which aims to support research into ALS, the motor neurone disease that took the life of the Ironman triathlete Jon Blais in 2007: www.blazemanwarrior.org), as well as GOTRIbal (a women’s networking and empowerment organization: www.gotribalnow.com) and Jane’s Appeal in the UK (www.janesappeal.com). I would love to do more, but time is limited and I hope that I can devote more energy to this area of work after I have hung up my professional lycra.
Champions come and go, but to me the real judge of my personal success will be whether I actually do something positive with the opportunities I have been given. And I really hope that, as world champion, I can be a role model and ambassador for the sport that everyone can be proud of. If I retired from triathlon tomorrow, I would seize the wonderful opportunity I have to continue to combine my two passions (sport and international development) and, specifically, inspire and encourage as many people as possible to adopt active lifestyles in my home country, the UK, and around the world.
Ultimately I want to set up my own foundation to help underprivileged kids empower themselves through sport, but I have so many other ideas that my mind is always spinning! I would also like to do more traveling, especially to the Middle East, and take part in some crazy, multi-day, multi-week endurance challenges around the world.
RaceCenter Northwest: As you reflect on the accomplishments and lessons learned from the racing season, what sort of down time do you try and incorporate in your yearly plan?
Chrissie Wellington: I like to say that I train 24/7. It’s not just about the time when I am exercising. Training your body is about eating, sleeping and recovering to enable you to perform to your potential; so yes, I have to rest and relax each and every day between sessions. I like to talk to friends and family, watch DVDs, read books, play Scrabble, eat a lot, and sleep, of course! And after Kona each year, I have one month where I greatly reduce the training volume to about one hour a day. The mental break is just as important as the physical break, and all athletes (professional and amateur) should factor a period into their program where they take time out and do the things that don’t involve swim, bike and run.
RCNW: What's on your iPod — and do you use it in training?
CW: A wide variety of music. I like a bit of everything — the Killers, Kings of Leon, Placebo, U2, Foo Fighters, Queen, Dire Straights, Eric Clapton, and so much more besides! I do use an iPod in training — mainly when I run. I also use it before a race. I download some really special songs and then I bike or run part of the race course. That way, when I am actually racing I can hear those songs in my head as I go past key landmarks. The "Circle of Life" on the Lion King soundtrack is a particular favorite, as is "We Are the Champions" by Queen.
RCNW: What sort of recovery strategy do you employ with regard to nutrition?
CW: I love to eat! It’s the fuel that enables me to perform! I eat a healthy, well-balanced diet with complex carbs, meat and fish, fruit and vegetables, and lots of nuts, seeds and other "good fats." I love oatmeal and eat it every single day! I use Muscle Milk to recover after a hard training session — cake batter flavor is a particular favorite — it tastes so good, and gives me everything I need to recover and come back fighting. It is also important for me to fuel myself during training sessions of more than an hour, as this enables me to get the most out of that session, but also facilitates recovery. I use Cytomax citrus flavour energy drink, as well as muesli bars on longer bike rides.
RCNW: Many athletes are faced with the pressures of fitting in work, family and social life, as well as balancing their training regimen. Are there any specific "quality" workouts (hill repeats, for example) that you've found offer the largest gains given the time spent in the activity?
CW: I totally understand the difficulty that comes with juggling lots of balls; I did it myself as an amateur athlete. The key is to prioritize quality over quantity. More is not necessarily better, and it is vital that you only do the sessions that will make you improve, not neglecting the importance of rest and recovery.
I love doing hill repeats, on the bike and the run. On the bike, I do a 90-minute session with an hour of hill repeats. I do them in down on the aerobars, in a big gear and each repeat takes about five minutes. On the run, each repeat takes around 90-120 seconds, and I run these hard with a jog recovery back to the bottom of the hill. This is a great strength session and really tires your legs, in a good way!
It is hard to balance training, work, family, and social life. But the important thing is to do what you can, not to cram if you miss a session — just forget about it and move on to the next one. And remember that the sport is supposed to be fun!
RCNW: The climate in the UK is very similar to that of the Pacific Northwest in the off-season. What training advice would you give our readers as they face frequent inclement weather? And are there any strategies you use to keep your mood in check as you push through this time of year?
CW: I spend much of my time overseas chasing the sun, but as an amateur athlete I did live and train in the UK. Swimming can be done in any weather, so that’s easy. But for outdoor activities like biking and running, I would suggest that your readers wear the appropriate clothing to keep them warm and protected from the elements — gloves, a hat/balaclava, long sleeves, and leggings are a must.
Make sure your bike is fit for the weather conditions too, with lights and a mudguard if necessary. Winter tires will also help with grip on the wet roads. Remember that you can burn more calories in the cold, so make sure you fuel yourself, especially in sessions that are over 90 minutes. I also like to add slightly warm water to my energy drink on the bike, so it isn’t freezing cold when I come to drink it!
I also use the home trainer if the weather is really bad. These also give "bang for buck" bike sessions — a two-hour home trainer session is the equivalent of three hours on the road.
One other top tip would be to train with friends. It is hard to motivate yourself in the winter months. So if you have a training partner, that can make all the difference to the enjoyment of training. Most importantly, don’t forget to reward yourself with a huge mug of hot chocolate — after all, you deserve it!
RCNW: You've been down an interesting path over the past several years. You earned a Master's degree, which you put to use working in foreign development in several countries, including Nepal. But what does life look like after the sport of triathlon?
CW: I certainly have been down some very interesting paths! I believe that triathlon and sport generally have tremendous power — and can be a force for considerable change. I feel very strongly that as a professional triathlete, my impact and message should be wider than my performance on the race course, and last longer than my athletic career. I am an ambassador for a number of organizations, like Jon Blais’ Blazeman Foundation for ALS (which aims to support research into ALS, the motor neurone disease that took the life of the Ironman triathlete Jon Blais in 2007: www.blazemanwarrior.org), as well as GOTRIbal (a women’s networking and empowerment organization: www.gotribalnow.com) and Jane’s Appeal in the UK (www.janesappeal.com). I would love to do more, but time is limited and I hope that I can devote more energy to this area of work after I have hung up my professional lycra.
Champions come and go, but to me the real judge of my personal success will be whether I actually do something positive with the opportunities I have been given. And I really hope that, as world champion, I can be a role model and ambassador for the sport that everyone can be proud of. If I retired from triathlon tomorrow, I would seize the wonderful opportunity I have to continue to combine my two passions (sport and international development) and, specifically, inspire and encourage as many people as possible to adopt active lifestyles in my home country, the UK, and around the world.
Ultimately I want to set up my own foundation to help underprivileged kids empower themselves through sport, but I have so many other ideas that my mind is always spinning! I would also like to do more traveling, especially to the Middle East, and take part in some crazy, multi-day, multi-week endurance challenges around the world.
Northwest Runners Finish Well at USA Mountain Running Championship
(6-20-10) From Running USA wire #50-06-10, by Peter Thomsen - Chris Siemers, a Chicago-bred flatlander who says he was born to run up mountains, and Shewarge Amare, an Ethiopian from New York City who had to borrow a pair of racing shoes just before the start, delivered a double dose of excitement Saturday at the 50th running of the Mt. Washington Road Race and USA Mountain Running Championship. Siemers outran two former Mt. Washington champions and many of the other best mountain runners in the U.S. to win in 1 hour, 22 seconds, while Amare flew up the Auto Road's 12 percent grade in a women's course record shattering time of 1:08:21.
"I came here prepared to win this," said Siemers, 29, as he stood at the uphill end of the 7.6-mile Mt. Washington Auto Road and recovered from the grind to the summit of the highest peak in the Northeast. "I'd had some recent disappointments with my running, and I wanted to take out my frustrations on this mountain. But my quads were burning with a feeling I've never felt before."
Like Siemers, Amare had never seen the ultra-steep Auto Road before running up it. "I was expecting a little up, up," she said later, "and I got it. This race is really hard."
Since this year's contest was the sole qualifying race to select the U.S. national team that will compete in the World Mountain Running Championship this fall in Slovenia, the field was packed with runners well-matched in strength and endurance. Many more than the usual half-dozen elite runners ran together in the early going, the pace shared by two-time winner (2006, 2008) Eric Blake of New Britain, Conn., defending champion Rickey Gates of Woody Creek, Colo., All-American steeplechaser Joe Gray of Lakewood, Wash., Zac Freudenburg of St. Louis - all past members of the national team - and several more.
By the second mile, however, Siemers had begun his challenge, running elbow-to-elbow with Blake as the two gradually pulled ahead of everyone else.
"I knew Eric had a lot of experience here," said Siemers, "so I stayed with him. I felt confident, and I didn't care whether I won by one second or one minute."
Still, Blake looked in control. "I felt good the first mile or two," said the 31-year-old track coach, who had twice before been in tight races here. "His breathing was heavy, and I thought I was going to take it, but in the second half it got to me."
Above the seven-mile mark, under bright sun and with the summit in sight, Siemers took the lead for good, storming up the final 50 yards to also claim the title of 2010 USA Mountain Running champion and the $2000 first prize for winning. Blake arrived 18 seconds later, followed by Gray, Gates, the next newcomer, 30-year-old Max King of Bend, Ore., and Tommy Manning, 34, of Colorado Springs, Colo.
Amare had a last-minute worry before the race: her shoes and running singlet were locked in a car whose driver was away. Having quickly borrowed another runner's extra pair of racing flats and a singlet, she shot away from the rest of the women's field at the start and ran with no further worries. "I always think I will win," she said later. "Sometimes you get it, sometimes you don't get it." Today she got it, breaking the previous women's course record of 1:10:09 and winning $2000 plus the $5000 CR bonus.
Behind her, the strongest American women battled for second place. Two-time race champion (2008-09) Brandy Erholtz of Bailey, Colo. led Kristin Price of Raleigh, N.C. in the first two miles, but Price, another first-timer here, pulled ahead and eventually finished in 1:11:13 as national champion, with Erholtz third (1:12:53).
Barely had Erholtz crossed the finish line than she was followed by 40-year-old Nicole Hunt of Deer Lodge, Montana, whose time of 1:12:59 broke the women's Masters record of 1:13:33 set by Laura Haefeli of Del Norte, Colo. Hunt won the $2000 bonus awarded by New England Runner magazine for a Masters record here.
Haefeli herself finished sixth, just behind another newcomer, Megan Lund of Basalt, Colo. Price, Erholtz, Hunt and Lund thus became members of the 2010 U.S. national team, joining the men's team of Siemers, Blake, Gray, Gates, King and Manning.
Martin Cox, a British mountain and ultramarathoner who trains with Gates in Colorado, won the men's Masters prize while finishing 11th overall in 1:06:03.
As the middle of the pack began to cross the finish line, the eyes of all the spectators turned to watch for the man wearing number 50 on his shirt, in honor of the race's 50th running. He was Tom Raffio of Bow, N.H., and CEO of Northeast Delta Dental, the company that sponsors the race. Running Mt. Washington for the first time, Raffio, 53, crossed the line in 1:52:12, placing 343rd among the 662 male finishers and 34th out of 91 men in the 50-54-year-old age group.
In all, there were 916 finishers from 39 states and four Canadian provinces, plus Spain, the U.K., Brazil and Ethiopia.
50th Mt. Washington Road Race: USA Mountain Running Championship
Gorham, NH, Saturday, June 19, 2010
MEN
1) Chris Siemers (CO), 1:00:22, $2000
2) Eric Blake (CT), 1:00:40, $1000
3) Joe Gray (WA), 1:01:31, $800
4) Rickey Gates (CO), 1:02:34, $700
5) Max King (OR), 1:02:34, $600
6) Tommy Manning (CO), 1:03:27, $500
7) Matt Russell (ME), 1:04:21, $400
8) Chris Lundstrom (MN), 1:04:25, $300
9) Zac Freudenburg (MO), 1:05:18, $200
10) Joel Bourgeois (CAN), 1:05:31, $100
WOMEN
1) Shewarge Amare (ETH), 1:08:21*, $7000
2) Kristin Price (NC), 1:11:13, $1000
3) Brandy Erholtz (CO), 1:12:53, $800
4) Nicole Hunt, 40, MT, 1:12:59, $3000
5) Megan Lund (CO), 1:13:30, $600
6) Laura Haefeli, 42, CO, 1:15:47, $700
7) Amber Ferreira (NH), 1:19:47, $400
8) Amber Moran (NC), 1:20:55, $300
9) Jennifer Campbell (NH), 1:21:06, $200
10) Caitlin Smith (CA), 1:21:43, $100
*course record (previous record, 1:10:09, Magdelena Thorsell (SWE), 1998)
Deeper results and more at: www.mountwashingtonroadrace.com
"I came here prepared to win this," said Siemers, 29, as he stood at the uphill end of the 7.6-mile Mt. Washington Auto Road and recovered from the grind to the summit of the highest peak in the Northeast. "I'd had some recent disappointments with my running, and I wanted to take out my frustrations on this mountain. But my quads were burning with a feeling I've never felt before."
Like Siemers, Amare had never seen the ultra-steep Auto Road before running up it. "I was expecting a little up, up," she said later, "and I got it. This race is really hard."
Since this year's contest was the sole qualifying race to select the U.S. national team that will compete in the World Mountain Running Championship this fall in Slovenia, the field was packed with runners well-matched in strength and endurance. Many more than the usual half-dozen elite runners ran together in the early going, the pace shared by two-time winner (2006, 2008) Eric Blake of New Britain, Conn., defending champion Rickey Gates of Woody Creek, Colo., All-American steeplechaser Joe Gray of Lakewood, Wash., Zac Freudenburg of St. Louis - all past members of the national team - and several more.
By the second mile, however, Siemers had begun his challenge, running elbow-to-elbow with Blake as the two gradually pulled ahead of everyone else.
"I knew Eric had a lot of experience here," said Siemers, "so I stayed with him. I felt confident, and I didn't care whether I won by one second or one minute."
Still, Blake looked in control. "I felt good the first mile or two," said the 31-year-old track coach, who had twice before been in tight races here. "His breathing was heavy, and I thought I was going to take it, but in the second half it got to me."
Above the seven-mile mark, under bright sun and with the summit in sight, Siemers took the lead for good, storming up the final 50 yards to also claim the title of 2010 USA Mountain Running champion and the $2000 first prize for winning. Blake arrived 18 seconds later, followed by Gray, Gates, the next newcomer, 30-year-old Max King of Bend, Ore., and Tommy Manning, 34, of Colorado Springs, Colo.
Amare had a last-minute worry before the race: her shoes and running singlet were locked in a car whose driver was away. Having quickly borrowed another runner's extra pair of racing flats and a singlet, she shot away from the rest of the women's field at the start and ran with no further worries. "I always think I will win," she said later. "Sometimes you get it, sometimes you don't get it." Today she got it, breaking the previous women's course record of 1:10:09 and winning $2000 plus the $5000 CR bonus.
Behind her, the strongest American women battled for second place. Two-time race champion (2008-09) Brandy Erholtz of Bailey, Colo. led Kristin Price of Raleigh, N.C. in the first two miles, but Price, another first-timer here, pulled ahead and eventually finished in 1:11:13 as national champion, with Erholtz third (1:12:53).
Barely had Erholtz crossed the finish line than she was followed by 40-year-old Nicole Hunt of Deer Lodge, Montana, whose time of 1:12:59 broke the women's Masters record of 1:13:33 set by Laura Haefeli of Del Norte, Colo. Hunt won the $2000 bonus awarded by New England Runner magazine for a Masters record here.
Haefeli herself finished sixth, just behind another newcomer, Megan Lund of Basalt, Colo. Price, Erholtz, Hunt and Lund thus became members of the 2010 U.S. national team, joining the men's team of Siemers, Blake, Gray, Gates, King and Manning.
Martin Cox, a British mountain and ultramarathoner who trains with Gates in Colorado, won the men's Masters prize while finishing 11th overall in 1:06:03.
As the middle of the pack began to cross the finish line, the eyes of all the spectators turned to watch for the man wearing number 50 on his shirt, in honor of the race's 50th running. He was Tom Raffio of Bow, N.H., and CEO of Northeast Delta Dental, the company that sponsors the race. Running Mt. Washington for the first time, Raffio, 53, crossed the line in 1:52:12, placing 343rd among the 662 male finishers and 34th out of 91 men in the 50-54-year-old age group.
In all, there were 916 finishers from 39 states and four Canadian provinces, plus Spain, the U.K., Brazil and Ethiopia.
50th Mt. Washington Road Race: USA Mountain Running Championship
Gorham, NH, Saturday, June 19, 2010
MEN
1) Chris Siemers (CO), 1:00:22, $2000
2) Eric Blake (CT), 1:00:40, $1000
3) Joe Gray (WA), 1:01:31, $800
4) Rickey Gates (CO), 1:02:34, $700
5) Max King (OR), 1:02:34, $600
6) Tommy Manning (CO), 1:03:27, $500
7) Matt Russell (ME), 1:04:21, $400
8) Chris Lundstrom (MN), 1:04:25, $300
9) Zac Freudenburg (MO), 1:05:18, $200
10) Joel Bourgeois (CAN), 1:05:31, $100
WOMEN
1) Shewarge Amare (ETH), 1:08:21*, $7000
2) Kristin Price (NC), 1:11:13, $1000
3) Brandy Erholtz (CO), 1:12:53, $800
4) Nicole Hunt, 40, MT, 1:12:59, $3000
5) Megan Lund (CO), 1:13:30, $600
6) Laura Haefeli, 42, CO, 1:15:47, $700
7) Amber Ferreira (NH), 1:19:47, $400
8) Amber Moran (NC), 1:20:55, $300
9) Jennifer Campbell (NH), 1:21:06, $200
10) Caitlin Smith (CA), 1:21:43, $100
*course record (previous record, 1:10:09, Magdelena Thorsell (SWE), 1998)
Deeper results and more at: www.mountwashingtonroadrace.com
Inaugural USA Half Marathon Trail Champions Crowned at Dirty Half
(6-14-10) This year's inaugural USA Half Marathon Trail Championships were held in conjunction with the 9th Annual FootZone Dirty Half in Bend, OR. The event is capped at 800 participants and fills each year - and in 2010 that field included some fast runners from across the region vying for the national title and their share of the $3000 prize purse that was up for grabs.
On the men's side, Bend, Oregon's Max King shattered the previous course record with a time of 1 hour, 11 minutes, three seconds. King is the reigning USA Trail Marathon Champion and also the U.S. and World XTERRA Trail Half Marathon Champ (2008 and 2009). "We (leaders) stayed together until about mile five," King told RaceCenter after the race. "Then I put a gap on them, but had to stop to tie my shoe. Total rookie mistake... I forgot to double knot them." Twin brothers Carlos and Esteban Truillo of Eugene finished rounded out the top three.
Eugene's Sopanga Eap nabbed the women's title and a $600 payday besting the rest of the field by nearly a minute with a finish time of 1:22:22, which was also good for a course record. Eap considers herself more of a road racer and was the top women's finisher at the Eugene Half Marathon in May. Morgan Arritola of Ketchum, ID, who is an Olympic skier that has been training in Bend for the past several weeks, finished just behind Eap, with hometown favorite Lisa Nye taking third.
Complete results HERE.
On the men's side, Bend, Oregon's Max King shattered the previous course record with a time of 1 hour, 11 minutes, three seconds. King is the reigning USA Trail Marathon Champion and also the U.S. and World XTERRA Trail Half Marathon Champ (2008 and 2009). "We (leaders) stayed together until about mile five," King told RaceCenter after the race. "Then I put a gap on them, but had to stop to tie my shoe. Total rookie mistake... I forgot to double knot them." Twin brothers Carlos and Esteban Truillo of Eugene finished rounded out the top three.
Eugene's Sopanga Eap nabbed the women's title and a $600 payday besting the rest of the field by nearly a minute with a finish time of 1:22:22, which was also good for a course record. Eap considers herself more of a road racer and was the top women's finisher at the Eugene Half Marathon in May. Morgan Arritola of Ketchum, ID, who is an Olympic skier that has been training in Bend for the past several weeks, finished just behind Eap, with hometown favorite Lisa Nye taking third.
| Place | Name | Time | City, State |
| TOP OVERALL MEN | |||
| 1 | MAX KING | 1:11:03 | Bend, OR |
| 2 | CARLOS TRUILLO | 1:12:17 | Eugene, OR |
| 3 | ESTEBAN TRUILLO | 1:14:02 | Eugene, OR |
| TOP OVERALL WOMEN | |||
| 1 | SOPAGNA EAP | 1:22:22 | Eugene, OR |
| 2 | MORGAN ARRITOLA | 1:23:14 | Ketchum, ID |
| 3 | LISA NYE | 1:27:54 | Bend, OR |
Complete results HERE.
NW Pro Triathlete Matt Lieto Recaps the 2010 Honu 70.3 Triathlon
(6-11-10) By Matt Lieto - This last Saturday I had the opportunity to race an event I had always been wanting to do, Honu 70.3. It is highlighted with the toughest sections of the Ironman World Championships bike course and a unique and challenging run on and of the golf course at Mauna Launi. This race always attracts some of the best athletes in the sport and I was excited to finally have a good hit out this year. My season started in March with a win at my first Xterra at the Xterra Real in Folsom. My momentum was stunned when last month I started Ironman St. George with a bout of Giardia - gotta stop drinking out of the horse troughs ;) Needless to say that day did not go well, I was in the lead group at mile 50 and in a pile of my spew at mile 60 :( I had been working so hard this year with my coach Matt Dixon to put the best foot forward and couldn’t wait to put that race behind me and put the body to the test.
The race started out with what seemed like a tranquil swim in Hapuna Bay until we turned the 2nd buoy and got worked by the chop. Well, when I say "We", I really mean me. I had started out smooth on Luke Bell's feet with a group with him Tim Marr and Tim Deboom. They slowly took off in the chop and by the exit I had lost almost a minute on the trio - let alone three minutes to superstar fish man John Flanagan. I ran as hard as possible in the long transition and got to my bike just as the "Tim's" left the corral. My goal was to bring back the lead group by the time we turned on Kawaihi at about mile 11. It took quite an effort but I caught the duo by 10 miles, but heard I had already lost another minute to new purplepatch fitness team mate Luke Bell. In my head I was cursing my coach for bringing on this world class athlete, but truly happy to see a fellow athlete get the opportunity to reach his potential. But, new my work was cut out for me to pull back that gap. When I caught the "Tims" I was hoping to try an pull through and try my hat at catching Luke, but Tim Deboom just kept it up and it was all I could do to stay close going up to Hawi. I knew that to have a chance at a win I would have to put time on these class runners before the hot run started. At the turn down from Hawi I went as hard as I could through the aid station and kept the head down while spinning my big gear down Hawi. I looked back after 15 minutes and saw that I had created a gap and the field was splitting up a bit. I tried to switch focus on the man ahead and did my best to close what was reported as a 2.5 minute gap at the top of Hawi. I could see Luke up the road and I just kept my head down and let my Trek Speed Concept do the work in the crosswinds. Turns out the bike is as fast as I thought and over the rolling hills back to Waikaloa and I was able to bridge up to Mr. Bell. I gave him a big smile and was content to roll into T2 with my new purplepatch teammate.
Into transition in the lead as my brother had the year before which made me pretty happy, I just hoped to stick to the front as long as possible. KSwiss K-Ruuz on, Garmin on, and off to the races. Well, kinda. This race is known for being brutal and having somewhat slow run times compared to other courses. Besides Crowie last year at a 1:17, the fastest split was 1:26. So my plan was to start at a moderate pace and hold as long as possible. I rolled out at around 6:20 pace and tried to keep to plan as Luke slowly pulled away. This run for me was HOT! It was pretty moderate for this time of year and this course, but for this kid training in 50 degrees and rain the last few weeks in Bend, I was killing the ice and just trying to keep the K-Swizzles ticking over. At a turn around I had to stop to grab a rock out of my shoe that had snuck in at transition and was shocked to see Mr. Deboom right on me and was quickly passed. He looked great and was running strong but I did my best to not be in my head about being passed by a two-time World Champion and tried to stay within striking distance as anything can happen in the heat. I stayed on my ice and watched as Tim slowly pulled away and made his way up to Luke. I struggled a few miles in the dead tailwind heat and tried kept my eyes up the road. Did I mention how hard this run course is? Golf course running up and down left and right with long "soul crushing" straight always mixed in just for good measure. Well, with two miles to go I realized my hope of the boys up the road battling each other into oblivion and giving me the opportunity to come back was not in the cards. A few looks back (sorry coach)and I mailed it in to save the legs as much as I could for the busy next few weeks of racing (Boise 70.3 next weekend and Ironman Coeur d'Alene weeks after that!). So happy to cross the line with a podium and a fastest bike split in a class field. Very impressed with an always consistent Tim Deboom with a 1:19 run on a real tough course - good enough for a third place podium finish on the day.
It was so good for my confidence to race well on the World Championship Course and get the first hard race in this block out of the way with a good result. Thanks to the crew in Honu for an amazing event and for all those competitors and spectators out there on course for making it a great day out there. Cheers, I am off for a massage then for a drive over to Boise for the Lieto bro showdown at Boise 70.3 this weekend - oh, and I think Craig Alexander might be racing as well.
Oregon's King and Nye Lead Fields for Inaugural USA Half Marathon Trail Championships in Bend, OR
(6-10-10) From USATF Press Release - Local favorites Max King and Lisa Nye lead the fields for the inaugural USA Half Marathon Trail Championships this Sunday in Bend, Oregon. The event will be hosted by the FootZone Dirty Half.
King is a veteran of the U.S. road racing circuit and member of multiple Team USA World Cross Country Championships squads. He has alsomade successful forays into trail racing, capturing the 2009 USA Marathon Trail Championships as well as the previous two XTERRA Trail Championships.
Nye, who will also lead the masters women's field, is a fixture on the USATF Oregon Mountain Running Circuit.
The course is a 13.1 mile loop in the Phil's Trail area west of Bend, a net gain and loss of approximately 1,000 feet in elevation, and will feature a prize purse of $3,000 sponsored by Visit Bend.
For more information on the 2010 USA Half Marathon Trail Championships visit www.usatf.org.
King is a veteran of the U.S. road racing circuit and member of multiple Team USA World Cross Country Championships squads. He has alsomade successful forays into trail racing, capturing the 2009 USA Marathon Trail Championships as well as the previous two XTERRA Trail Championships.
Nye, who will also lead the masters women's field, is a fixture on the USATF Oregon Mountain Running Circuit.
The course is a 13.1 mile loop in the Phil's Trail area west of Bend, a net gain and loss of approximately 1,000 feet in elevation, and will feature a prize purse of $3,000 sponsored by Visit Bend.
For more information on the 2010 USA Half Marathon Trail Championships visit www.usatf.org.
Local Cyclist Dies After Suffering Cardiac Event at Portland Race
(6-9-10) 47-year-old David Oliphant, collapsed after crossing the finish line following a race at Portland International Raceway on Tuesday, June 8. Oliphant was attended to immediately by on-scene medics, but doctors were not able to revive him after he was rushed to the hospital. Recent reports indicated that his death was caused by a heart-related condition.
Oliphant was a veteran cycling competitor on the road and track who was racing alongside his brother Duncan on Tuesday night.
Our deepest sympathies and condolences go out to the Oliphant family at this time.
Oliphant was a veteran cycling competitor on the road and track who was racing alongside his brother Duncan on Tuesday night.
Our deepest sympathies and condolences go out to the Oliphant family at this time.
Race Report: 2010 Blue Lake Triathlon
(6-8-10) Submitted by Dave Campbell - Without question, this was the wettest triathlon I have ever done in my life… and I have raced hundreds of them. Nearly one inch of rain fell on June 6 in the Fairview, OR area, home of the Blue Lake Triathlon - and well over 400 racers came out to play in the deluge. Thankfully, it was fairly warm and the wind normally blowing up the Columbia River remained quite calm, otherwise the difficult conditions would have been much more challenging and even dangerous. AA Sports did a tremendous job of coordinating off-site parking and shuttles and managed to get the messy, muddy event off on-time and without a hitch - amazing accomplishment in itself.
For me, it was my eleventh consecutive Blue Lake Olympic Triathlon and with its early June date, we have seen everything from cold, wet and windy to very warm and sunny. But never before had I seen my shoes floating atop my transition mat or watched my toes completely disappear into the mud running through transition. Triathletes by design are a hardy breed and the assembled masses were racing at top speed through the rainfall and getting on with the event at hand and even chuckling at the crazy amounts of water that were EVERYWHERE.
In addition to any variety of weather, Blue Lake traditionally hosts a very competitive field and frankly, one of the few races where most of the very best Northwest multisport athletes compete together at one time. It also draws some of the biggest fields of the year. Over 600 athletes raced the sprint and Tri-It events Saturday under warm sunshine but most of the “hard cores” come out to play Sunday. With so many big events (Ironman Couer d’Alene, Pacific Crest) coming towards the end of June, the event falls in a sweet spot in the calendar and is attractive to everyone seeking to test their form and experience an open water swim and fast race. These athletes, who are starting to round into top racing form, faced up to a 1500 meter triangular swim in the comfortable 68-degree waters of Blue Lake, a super flat and fast 40 kilometer bike along the Columbia River on Marine Drive and a 10 kilometer run through Blue Lake Park and then out and back on a bike path. Realistically, the temperature was fairly comfortable while racing and probably contributed to the fast times.
42-year-old Rick Graves of Portland was first out of the water in 18:15, trailed just over 30 seconds back by frequent top Blue Lake performer Matt Berg (now living in Reno, NV). 21-year-old Natasha Mangan of Keizer was 13th best overall in 20:44 and almost a minute clear of OSU Tri clubber Pamela Johnson of Corvallis to take the early lead in the women’s race.
The vast puddles of standing water, foggy glasses, and the heavy rain pounding down on the helmets did not slow the cyclists much as the bike splits were blazing! 28-year-old David Gettle of Weiser, Idaho (55:30) led a trio of hammerheads who all rode under 56 minutes for the just over 24-mile course. Aaron Jenniges of Vancouver, WA was second fastest at 55:36, and Rusty Pruden of Kirkland, WA logged 55:47. While many strong athletes were tightly packed at the head of the race, it was 34-year-old Philippe Kozub of Portland 18:50 Swim/56:14 Bike) who was first off the bike with perennial contender Berg (56:31) close behind. 47-year-old Susan Moote of Portland charged through the women’s field in 1:02:26 just in front of “Ironhead” Troutdale local Kaytee Petross and another perennial Northwest contender Kristina Lackner (second fastest bike split) making a return to her best form at this distance.
Most triathlons are won on the run and this race was no exception. Once runners donned their heavy, water logged shoes and made it through the slip and slide like muddy transition area, they sloshed and squished out onto the, in some cases, completely flooded bike paths. It was tricky to say the least, and heavily blister forming for sure! 27-year-old Pruden charged through the early leaders from third off the bike in an astounding 34:32 to break the tape in a stunning 1:53:50 for an impressive overall victory. Kozub, running 36:30 hung on for second and the 30-34 win and Berg came through just over two minutes later for third overall and the 35-39 title.
The best runner in the women’s field, by far, was Petross and her 41:12 was 34th best on the day overall, minutes faster than most of closest rivals, allowing her break the tape in 2:12:56, for an overall winning margin of over four minutes. Lackner ran her way into second and the 35-39 age group title in 2:17:15 and Johnson recovered from a slow bike for third overall and the 20-24 win, just over a minute back.
43-year-old Eugenian Andy Libert’s years of consistency were rewarded with a solid victory (over four minutes) in the Masters event (2:05:26) over this writer, who is still trying to get his running form back after injury and was happy with second! Libert’s solid day (24:12/59:28/37:42) saw him take 13th overall in the power-packed field. On the women’s side, Moote ended a very impressive fifth overall (2:19:38) en route to winning the Masters title by over seven minutes from Portland’s Rebecca Ramsey.
The Portland Triathlon Club team of Robert Wilson (22:49), Tom Ricciardi (58:00), & Sean Coster (36:13) were the top relay by a country mile. 27-year-old John Banks of Clackamas actually had the fastest bike of the day in the Duathlon (55:01) and he needed every bit of it to hold off a hard-charging Dave Florence of Canby (leader after running the opening 5k in 18:12) for the victory. Despite a three minute lead, he had only 15 seconds lead when he broke the tape in 1:59:59. Florence’s 39:02 closing 10k Run was the fastest run in the duathlon and did get the 43-year-old the Masters win. The women’s du was close as well with Amy Truitt, 33, just over a minute clear of 39-year-old Diane Smith, winning in 2:29:51.
So, what’s next? As mentioned, some Northwest athletes will compete at Ironman Couer d’Alene at the end of the month and some will do Boise 70.3 this weekend. Some have goals further done the road. The next event for me and many of my fellow “weekend warriors” will be the Pacific Crest Endurance Sports Weekend, which I consider the greatest multisport event in the world. Great accommodations, bike paths and swimming pools for the kids, a beautiful landscape, and every event conceivable to choose from make for great athletic endeavors and great relaxation afterwards. Long course and Olympic-distance triathlons and duathlon, running events and kids racing mean there is something for everyone. I hope to see you there!
For me, it was my eleventh consecutive Blue Lake Olympic Triathlon and with its early June date, we have seen everything from cold, wet and windy to very warm and sunny. But never before had I seen my shoes floating atop my transition mat or watched my toes completely disappear into the mud running through transition. Triathletes by design are a hardy breed and the assembled masses were racing at top speed through the rainfall and getting on with the event at hand and even chuckling at the crazy amounts of water that were EVERYWHERE.
In addition to any variety of weather, Blue Lake traditionally hosts a very competitive field and frankly, one of the few races where most of the very best Northwest multisport athletes compete together at one time. It also draws some of the biggest fields of the year. Over 600 athletes raced the sprint and Tri-It events Saturday under warm sunshine but most of the “hard cores” come out to play Sunday. With so many big events (Ironman Couer d’Alene, Pacific Crest) coming towards the end of June, the event falls in a sweet spot in the calendar and is attractive to everyone seeking to test their form and experience an open water swim and fast race. These athletes, who are starting to round into top racing form, faced up to a 1500 meter triangular swim in the comfortable 68-degree waters of Blue Lake, a super flat and fast 40 kilometer bike along the Columbia River on Marine Drive and a 10 kilometer run through Blue Lake Park and then out and back on a bike path. Realistically, the temperature was fairly comfortable while racing and probably contributed to the fast times.
42-year-old Rick Graves of Portland was first out of the water in 18:15, trailed just over 30 seconds back by frequent top Blue Lake performer Matt Berg (now living in Reno, NV). 21-year-old Natasha Mangan of Keizer was 13th best overall in 20:44 and almost a minute clear of OSU Tri clubber Pamela Johnson of Corvallis to take the early lead in the women’s race.
The vast puddles of standing water, foggy glasses, and the heavy rain pounding down on the helmets did not slow the cyclists much as the bike splits were blazing! 28-year-old David Gettle of Weiser, Idaho (55:30) led a trio of hammerheads who all rode under 56 minutes for the just over 24-mile course. Aaron Jenniges of Vancouver, WA was second fastest at 55:36, and Rusty Pruden of Kirkland, WA logged 55:47. While many strong athletes were tightly packed at the head of the race, it was 34-year-old Philippe Kozub of Portland 18:50 Swim/56:14 Bike) who was first off the bike with perennial contender Berg (56:31) close behind. 47-year-old Susan Moote of Portland charged through the women’s field in 1:02:26 just in front of “Ironhead” Troutdale local Kaytee Petross and another perennial Northwest contender Kristina Lackner (second fastest bike split) making a return to her best form at this distance.
Most triathlons are won on the run and this race was no exception. Once runners donned their heavy, water logged shoes and made it through the slip and slide like muddy transition area, they sloshed and squished out onto the, in some cases, completely flooded bike paths. It was tricky to say the least, and heavily blister forming for sure! 27-year-old Pruden charged through the early leaders from third off the bike in an astounding 34:32 to break the tape in a stunning 1:53:50 for an impressive overall victory. Kozub, running 36:30 hung on for second and the 30-34 win and Berg came through just over two minutes later for third overall and the 35-39 title.
The best runner in the women’s field, by far, was Petross and her 41:12 was 34th best on the day overall, minutes faster than most of closest rivals, allowing her break the tape in 2:12:56, for an overall winning margin of over four minutes. Lackner ran her way into second and the 35-39 age group title in 2:17:15 and Johnson recovered from a slow bike for third overall and the 20-24 win, just over a minute back.
43-year-old Eugenian Andy Libert’s years of consistency were rewarded with a solid victory (over four minutes) in the Masters event (2:05:26) over this writer, who is still trying to get his running form back after injury and was happy with second! Libert’s solid day (24:12/59:28/37:42) saw him take 13th overall in the power-packed field. On the women’s side, Moote ended a very impressive fifth overall (2:19:38) en route to winning the Masters title by over seven minutes from Portland’s Rebecca Ramsey.
The Portland Triathlon Club team of Robert Wilson (22:49), Tom Ricciardi (58:00), & Sean Coster (36:13) were the top relay by a country mile. 27-year-old John Banks of Clackamas actually had the fastest bike of the day in the Duathlon (55:01) and he needed every bit of it to hold off a hard-charging Dave Florence of Canby (leader after running the opening 5k in 18:12) for the victory. Despite a three minute lead, he had only 15 seconds lead when he broke the tape in 1:59:59. Florence’s 39:02 closing 10k Run was the fastest run in the duathlon and did get the 43-year-old the Masters win. The women’s du was close as well with Amy Truitt, 33, just over a minute clear of 39-year-old Diane Smith, winning in 2:29:51.
So, what’s next? As mentioned, some Northwest athletes will compete at Ironman Couer d’Alene at the end of the month and some will do Boise 70.3 this weekend. Some have goals further done the road. The next event for me and many of my fellow “weekend warriors” will be the Pacific Crest Endurance Sports Weekend, which I consider the greatest multisport event in the world. Great accommodations, bike paths and swimming pools for the kids, a beautiful landscape, and every event conceivable to choose from make for great athletic endeavors and great relaxation afterwards. Long course and Olympic-distance triathlons and duathlon, running events and kids racing mean there is something for everyone. I hope to see you there!
Pre Classic to Host Strongest Field in Meet's 35-year History
(6-2-10) With just 31 days to go until the Prefontaine Classic on July 3rd, no fewer than 41 Olympic or World Championships gold medalists have committed to the meet, its first as a member of the prestigious new IAAF Diamond League series [www.diamondleague.com].
"The fields are by far the strongest in the meet's 35-year history," says meet director Tom Jordan. "Unless fans have been fortunate enough to attend an Olympic Games, they will see more gold medalists at this year’s Pre Classic than at any other meet ever held in the United States."
Taking as an example the short sprints, one of the most potent women's 100-meter fields ever assembled will face off at Hayward Field on the July 4th weekend. Olympic and World Champion Shelly-Ann Fraser heads a list that includes all three medalists from last summer's Berlin World Championships—Kerron Stewart of Jamaica (silver) and Carmelita Jeter the U.S.(bronze)—plus Beijing Olympic silver medalist Sherone Simpson and 200-meter Olympic gold medalist and 2010 World Indoor 60-meter champion Veronica Campbell-Brown. The Prefontaine Classic will be one of the few times this year that the Big Four will go head-to-head.
The men's 200 meters is similarly loaded, with American record holder and 2007 double World Champion Tyson Gay meeting Berlin silver medalist Alonso Edward of Panama, Beijing bronze medalist Walter Dix, Beijing 100-meter silver medalist Richard Thompson, and the amazing Shawn Crawford, Olympic champion at 200 in 2004, and silver medalist in Beijing in 2008.
The 2010 NIKE Prefontaine Classic will be shown live on NBC from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. PT, and to an international television audience numbering in the millions. A 14th consecutive sell-out is anticipated, as ticket sales are well ahead of any previous year. Tickets may be purchased from www.goducks.com or by calling 1-800-WEBFOOT.
"The fields are by far the strongest in the meet's 35-year history," says meet director Tom Jordan. "Unless fans have been fortunate enough to attend an Olympic Games, they will see more gold medalists at this year’s Pre Classic than at any other meet ever held in the United States."
Taking as an example the short sprints, one of the most potent women's 100-meter fields ever assembled will face off at Hayward Field on the July 4th weekend. Olympic and World Champion Shelly-Ann Fraser heads a list that includes all three medalists from last summer's Berlin World Championships—Kerron Stewart of Jamaica (silver) and Carmelita Jeter the U.S.(bronze)—plus Beijing Olympic silver medalist Sherone Simpson and 200-meter Olympic gold medalist and 2010 World Indoor 60-meter champion Veronica Campbell-Brown. The Prefontaine Classic will be one of the few times this year that the Big Four will go head-to-head.
The men's 200 meters is similarly loaded, with American record holder and 2007 double World Champion Tyson Gay meeting Berlin silver medalist Alonso Edward of Panama, Beijing bronze medalist Walter Dix, Beijing 100-meter silver medalist Richard Thompson, and the amazing Shawn Crawford, Olympic champion at 200 in 2004, and silver medalist in Beijing in 2008.
The 2010 NIKE Prefontaine Classic will be shown live on NBC from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. PT, and to an international television audience numbering in the millions. A 14th consecutive sell-out is anticipated, as ticket sales are well ahead of any previous year. Tickets may be purchased from www.goducks.com or by calling 1-800-WEBFOOT.
Race Report: 2010 Heart of the Valley Sprint Triathlon
(6-1-10) Submitted by Dave Campbell - WOW! Large fields, the emergence of exciting new and young talent, a huge kid’s race, and tight, competitive racing highlighted a wonderful day at Monday’s Heart of the Valley Sprint Triathlon in Corvallis, OR. The event is held at the Osborne Aquatic Center and consists of a 750m pool swim, a very hilly and challenging 20k bike course, and a flat and extremely fast 5k run through local neighborhoods that finishes on a running track adjacent to the pool. Despite wet roads, cool temperatures, and clouds threatening rain, nearly 300 triathletes and duathletes and almost 100 kids took to the course. We stayed dry, raced hard, and had a blast!
17-year-old relay swimmer Tori Simenec of Salem topped all swimmers in 9:25, leading her "2 Roosters & A Hen" team to a convincing Relay win in 1:04:48, which was the second fastest overall time of the day. Her pace of 1:09 per 100 meters left many a talented triathlete in her wake… or in my case LAPPED! Hot on her heels was triathlon legend John Weston, 53, and now living in Missoula, MT. The man who has been at the very front of Ironman swims over the years logged 9:36 as top man.
I find this course nearly as challenging as Haag Lake, with most riders using every gear on their bikes. Steep grinders, long extended small chainring climbs, and RIPPING 40 plus mph descents make for relatively slow times and some sore legs. 22-year-old Bronson Blair of Corvallis was fastest of the day in 32:12 with yours truly 30 seconds in arrears. Super swimmer Weston led off the bike, but with a host of fast runners close behind, at least six athletes (myself, Blair, Marcelo Silva, Devin Vanscoy, Lindon Powell and Andy Libert) were in contention for the win.
A contender at any distance over the past decade, Kristina Lackner (formerly Hughes) of Sherwood, blazed through the mid-valley roller coaster bike course in 36:06, over two minutes faster than any other woman and 13th best overall on the day. The new women’s leader, however, was 19-year-old Erin Jones of Hood River. Her 10:01 swim had her several minutes clear of most of the faster biker/runners and her 38:24 on the bike kept her there.
Several runners were disqualified due to only completing one lap of the fast 5k run course. Coming from sixth position off the bike, 17-year-old Lindon Powell of Corvallis ripped through the field in 16:22, the fastest run time of the day and at 5:16 per mile was enough to win by 30 seconds. The 10 second staggers on the swim start meant that athletes had to remember to race the clock and not just each other as proximity to rivals on the road didn’t tell the whole story. Blair’s 17:58 5k took him into 2nd overall and the 20-24 age division win, while Devin Vanscoy tore past faster swimmers for third overall in 1:05:18 and the 25-29 title. Behind him, things continued to be very tight.
This race was not a get off the bike and hang on to your position run with a complete reshuffling of the top six spots during the run. I was fourth, 30 seconds back of Devin in 1:05:48 for Top Master, just 16 seconds ahead of Weston, who won the 50-54s. 41-year-old Silva was only four seconds behind Weston with the top four Masters separated by only 58 seconds. raig Dean won the 35-39 title in 1:08:11, rounding out the top 10. 57-year-old Phil Anderson of Portland won his age group by nearly half an hour recording 1:15:23 for 28th overall.
Erin Jones ran an 18:41 to expand her lead and win the women’s event by nearly four minutes. It was a stunning performance by the unassuming 19-year-old, whose future in multisport looks extremely bright. Perennial contender Susan Fox of Corvallis was second overall and at an ageless 43, and top Master in 1:12:34. These two were the first two off the bike, but the other top women were reshuffled similarly to the men’s field.
Lackner continued her charge forward with her a 20:33 run to claim third overall and win the 35-39 age class (1:12:58). Pamela Johnson of Corvallis posted a 1:13:41 for fourth overall and the 20-24 win. Fifth overall in 1:14:43 was 52 years young Bridget Dawson of Portland winning the 50-54 title. Megan Sullivan (7th overall) of Eugene was top 30-34 and Mari Embertson of Edmonds, WA (8th overall) was tops in 25-29. Sheila Donahoe of Dundee topped the 45-49s in 1:20:13.
The Duathlon was won, yet again, by Canby’s Dave Florence, 43, in 1:10:13 with Sean Campbell of Klamath Falls only 19 seconds back. Dave’s splits were an impressive 17:26/33:20/17:48. 27-year-old John Banks of Clackamas rounded out the top three in a small field with 1:12:39. The other half of the K Falls Campbell’s, Anu, 40 won the women’s du in 1:34:45 with 39-year-old Corinne Larson of Salem 2nd in 1:40:49. 22-year-old Celia Magistrale rounded out the top three in 1:43:27.
For most of the Northwest multisport faithful, this weekend is the kick-off to “the big games” that go all summer long... Blue Lake. Thousands will converge Saturday for the Sprint and Sunday for the Olympic for the first major open water swim triathlon of the summer season. Expect more cool temperatures and more competitive racing. I look forward to seeing you there!
17-year-old relay swimmer Tori Simenec of Salem topped all swimmers in 9:25, leading her "2 Roosters & A Hen" team to a convincing Relay win in 1:04:48, which was the second fastest overall time of the day. Her pace of 1:09 per 100 meters left many a talented triathlete in her wake… or in my case LAPPED! Hot on her heels was triathlon legend John Weston, 53, and now living in Missoula, MT. The man who has been at the very front of Ironman swims over the years logged 9:36 as top man.
I find this course nearly as challenging as Haag Lake, with most riders using every gear on their bikes. Steep grinders, long extended small chainring climbs, and RIPPING 40 plus mph descents make for relatively slow times and some sore legs. 22-year-old Bronson Blair of Corvallis was fastest of the day in 32:12 with yours truly 30 seconds in arrears. Super swimmer Weston led off the bike, but with a host of fast runners close behind, at least six athletes (myself, Blair, Marcelo Silva, Devin Vanscoy, Lindon Powell and Andy Libert) were in contention for the win.
A contender at any distance over the past decade, Kristina Lackner (formerly Hughes) of Sherwood, blazed through the mid-valley roller coaster bike course in 36:06, over two minutes faster than any other woman and 13th best overall on the day. The new women’s leader, however, was 19-year-old Erin Jones of Hood River. Her 10:01 swim had her several minutes clear of most of the faster biker/runners and her 38:24 on the bike kept her there.
Several runners were disqualified due to only completing one lap of the fast 5k run course. Coming from sixth position off the bike, 17-year-old Lindon Powell of Corvallis ripped through the field in 16:22, the fastest run time of the day and at 5:16 per mile was enough to win by 30 seconds. The 10 second staggers on the swim start meant that athletes had to remember to race the clock and not just each other as proximity to rivals on the road didn’t tell the whole story. Blair’s 17:58 5k took him into 2nd overall and the 20-24 age division win, while Devin Vanscoy tore past faster swimmers for third overall in 1:05:18 and the 25-29 title. Behind him, things continued to be very tight.
This race was not a get off the bike and hang on to your position run with a complete reshuffling of the top six spots during the run. I was fourth, 30 seconds back of Devin in 1:05:48 for Top Master, just 16 seconds ahead of Weston, who won the 50-54s. 41-year-old Silva was only four seconds behind Weston with the top four Masters separated by only 58 seconds. raig Dean won the 35-39 title in 1:08:11, rounding out the top 10. 57-year-old Phil Anderson of Portland won his age group by nearly half an hour recording 1:15:23 for 28th overall.
Erin Jones ran an 18:41 to expand her lead and win the women’s event by nearly four minutes. It was a stunning performance by the unassuming 19-year-old, whose future in multisport looks extremely bright. Perennial contender Susan Fox of Corvallis was second overall and at an ageless 43, and top Master in 1:12:34. These two were the first two off the bike, but the other top women were reshuffled similarly to the men’s field.
Lackner continued her charge forward with her a 20:33 run to claim third overall and win the 35-39 age class (1:12:58). Pamela Johnson of Corvallis posted a 1:13:41 for fourth overall and the 20-24 win. Fifth overall in 1:14:43 was 52 years young Bridget Dawson of Portland winning the 50-54 title. Megan Sullivan (7th overall) of Eugene was top 30-34 and Mari Embertson of Edmonds, WA (8th overall) was tops in 25-29. Sheila Donahoe of Dundee topped the 45-49s in 1:20:13.
The Duathlon was won, yet again, by Canby’s Dave Florence, 43, in 1:10:13 with Sean Campbell of Klamath Falls only 19 seconds back. Dave’s splits were an impressive 17:26/33:20/17:48. 27-year-old John Banks of Clackamas rounded out the top three in a small field with 1:12:39. The other half of the K Falls Campbell’s, Anu, 40 won the women’s du in 1:34:45 with 39-year-old Corinne Larson of Salem 2nd in 1:40:49. 22-year-old Celia Magistrale rounded out the top three in 1:43:27.
For most of the Northwest multisport faithful, this weekend is the kick-off to “the big games” that go all summer long... Blue Lake. Thousands will converge Saturday for the Sprint and Sunday for the Olympic for the first major open water swim triathlon of the summer season. Expect more cool temperatures and more competitive racing. I look forward to seeing you there!
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