Celebrated Distance Runner Kelly Holmes to Speak in Eugene
(11-9-06) From Press Release - Celebrated middle-distance running champion Kelly Holmes will provide insight into her years of running and coaching at the Eugene Running Company on Monday, November 20 beginning at 7 p.m. The event is free to the public.
2006 TRI NorthWest Rankings Now Posted
(10-20-06) The 2006 triathlon and duathlon rankings are now posted. Congratulations to all of the athletes in the Northwest that were ranked this year. For a complete listing of all rankings visit this link at TRINW.com.
Seattle's Jurek Wins Spartathlon Ultra in Greece
(10-5-06) From Running USA Wire 77 - First American Man to Be Race Champion, By Dan Brannen
This past weekend in Greece, Scott Jurek, 33, of Seattle, Washington, 7-time winner of the Western States 100 Mile Mountain Race and two-time winner of the Badwater 136 mile race from Death Valley to the base of Mount Whitney, has become the first American man ever to win the Spartathlon.
The Spartathlon is run annually from Athens to Sparta in Greece. It was founded in 1983 by a group of London-based Englishmen (hence the name: SPART - for Sparta, ATH - for Athens, and LON - for London) to commemorate the historic run of the Greek messenger Pheidippides in 490 B.C. The Greek general Miltiades, anticipating an attack by the Persians north of Athens, sent Pheidippides to run the 245 kilometers (a bit over 150 miles) from Athens to Sparta to request military assistance from King Leonidas of Sparta in fending off the Persians. The Spartans declined, and Pheidippides then had to return by foot with the bad news. The Athenians prevailed anyway.
The 245K commemorative race has attracted many of the world's top long-range ultradistance runners. The inaugural race in 1983 marked the debut of an unknown local Greek runner named Yiannis Kouros, who won by over three hours. In the subsequent quarter-century, Kouros has proven himself to be the greatest long-range ultradistance runner in history, setting and re-setting world records from 24 hours thru 6 days and from 200K thru 1,000 miles. The race is usually run in hot daytime conditions and includes some gravel and trail sections in what is otherwise mostly a road race. It climbs some 3,000 feet over the Sangas Mountains more than halfway thru the course.
Until this year, only 6 men had broken 24 hours in the race, and only one, Kouros (whose course record is 20:25) had broken 23 hours. This year, Jurek dueled with two-time World 24 Hour Run champion (and former Spartathlon winner) Ryoichi Sekiya of Japan before pulling clear just past 100 miles. He then held on, alone, for one of the strongest finishing stretches in race history to win in 22 hours, 52 minutes, 18 seconds, becoming #2 behind only Kouros on the all-time course performance list. Previously, the best finish by a U.S. man had been Roy Pirrung's third place 27:56 in 1992. At that time, Pirrung was the U.S. 24 Hour Run record holder.
Mary Hanudel-Larsson, then of Toledo, Ohio, was the first American to win the women's division of the race, taking top distaff honors in 1984, then three more times, culminating in a women's course record of 28:46:58 in 1998. Remarkably, Hanudel-Larsson, who now lives in Sweden, finished third among women this year in 31:41:56, twenty-two years after her first victory, as reigning World 24 Hour Run champion Sumie Inagaki won in 28:37:20.
24th Spartathlon 245.3K
Athens-to-Sparta, Greece, Fri-Sat, Sept 29-30, 2006
MEN
1) Scott Jurek, USA/WA, 22:52:18
2) Ryoichi Sekiya, JPN, 24:14:11
3) Masayuki Ohtaki, JPN, 25:19:12
WOMEN
1) Sumie Inagaki, JPN, 28:37:20
2) Takako Furuyama, JPN, 31:40:31
3) Mary Hanudel-Larsson, USA, 31:41:56
This past weekend in Greece, Scott Jurek, 33, of Seattle, Washington, 7-time winner of the Western States 100 Mile Mountain Race and two-time winner of the Badwater 136 mile race from Death Valley to the base of Mount Whitney, has become the first American man ever to win the Spartathlon.
The Spartathlon is run annually from Athens to Sparta in Greece. It was founded in 1983 by a group of London-based Englishmen (hence the name: SPART - for Sparta, ATH - for Athens, and LON - for London) to commemorate the historic run of the Greek messenger Pheidippides in 490 B.C. The Greek general Miltiades, anticipating an attack by the Persians north of Athens, sent Pheidippides to run the 245 kilometers (a bit over 150 miles) from Athens to Sparta to request military assistance from King Leonidas of Sparta in fending off the Persians. The Spartans declined, and Pheidippides then had to return by foot with the bad news. The Athenians prevailed anyway.
The 245K commemorative race has attracted many of the world's top long-range ultradistance runners. The inaugural race in 1983 marked the debut of an unknown local Greek runner named Yiannis Kouros, who won by over three hours. In the subsequent quarter-century, Kouros has proven himself to be the greatest long-range ultradistance runner in history, setting and re-setting world records from 24 hours thru 6 days and from 200K thru 1,000 miles. The race is usually run in hot daytime conditions and includes some gravel and trail sections in what is otherwise mostly a road race. It climbs some 3,000 feet over the Sangas Mountains more than halfway thru the course.
Until this year, only 6 men had broken 24 hours in the race, and only one, Kouros (whose course record is 20:25) had broken 23 hours. This year, Jurek dueled with two-time World 24 Hour Run champion (and former Spartathlon winner) Ryoichi Sekiya of Japan before pulling clear just past 100 miles. He then held on, alone, for one of the strongest finishing stretches in race history to win in 22 hours, 52 minutes, 18 seconds, becoming #2 behind only Kouros on the all-time course performance list. Previously, the best finish by a U.S. man had been Roy Pirrung's third place 27:56 in 1992. At that time, Pirrung was the U.S. 24 Hour Run record holder.
Mary Hanudel-Larsson, then of Toledo, Ohio, was the first American to win the women's division of the race, taking top distaff honors in 1984, then three more times, culminating in a women's course record of 28:46:58 in 1998. Remarkably, Hanudel-Larsson, who now lives in Sweden, finished third among women this year in 31:41:56, twenty-two years after her first victory, as reigning World 24 Hour Run champion Sumie Inagaki won in 28:37:20.
24th Spartathlon 245.3K
Athens-to-Sparta, Greece, Fri-Sat, Sept 29-30, 2006
MEN
1) Scott Jurek, USA/WA, 22:52:18
2) Ryoichi Sekiya, JPN, 24:14:11
3) Masayuki Ohtaki, JPN, 25:19:12
WOMEN
1) Sumie Inagaki, JPN, 28:37:20
2) Takako Furuyama, JPN, 31:40:31
3) Mary Hanudel-Larsson, USA, 31:41:56
Regional Runners Dominate 35th Anniversary Edition of the Portland Marathon
(10-2-06) Mike Heidt of Shoreline, WA had never run a marathon before in his life and ran his first half marathon just a month ago. Heidt ran track for Washington State and decided that he would run a marathon figuring he could do well with his collegiate experience behind him.
At the age of 23, Heidt captured the 2006 Portland Marathon title covering the 26.2-mile distance in 2:21:54, which is the best finishing time since 2002.
Danita Erickson of Tacoma, WA nabbed the women's overall title with a time of 2:53:18 taking the lead early and flying solo to the finish in the Park Blocks of Downtown Portland.
Additionally, a new wheelchair division record was set by Jerry Martin of Liberty Lake, WA. Martin covered the distance in 1:44:48.
Complete results and division winners can be found at www.portlandmarathon.org.
At the age of 23, Heidt captured the 2006 Portland Marathon title covering the 26.2-mile distance in 2:21:54, which is the best finishing time since 2002.
Danita Erickson of Tacoma, WA nabbed the women's overall title with a time of 2:53:18 taking the lead early and flying solo to the finish in the Park Blocks of Downtown Portland.
Additionally, a new wheelchair division record was set by Jerry Martin of Liberty Lake, WA. Martin covered the distance in 1:44:48.
Complete results and division winners can be found at www.portlandmarathon.org.
2006 USAT PNW Long Distance Grand Prix Champions Crowned at the Grand Columbian
(9-26-06) From Press Release - Brent Ruby of Missoula, Montana was crowned the 2006 USAT PNW Long Distance Champion on Saturday, September 16, 2006 at Grand Columbian Triathlon held in Grand Coulee, Washington. The championships were contested at the Half Iron race as part of the USAT Grand Prix/Half Max series. Ruby completed the challenging Grand Columbian distance in a course record 4:38:45. Julie Pittsinger of Lake Chelan, Washington was crowned the women's champion and actually had the fastest women's time at 5:00:01.
All athletes competing in the 2006 were greeted with a cool desert morning. Temperatures in the 50's as the sun rose over a calm Banks Lake swim at the Grand Columbian race site. In the 1900 meter swim, Mathew Hallowell of Corvallis, Oregon led all age groupers out of the water with a 24:25. Julie was third out of the water and first women at 25:28.
The bike leg was a little tougher than average with 10-20 MPH head winds in much of the course. It was Montana in control among the men with Jeffery Cincoski of Missoula ending the bike with a 2:43:24 and a one-minute lead over Brent - who had the best bike split of 2:34:45 and a one mile per hour average higher than the rest of the pack. Julie maintained her lead over the women with a 11 minute lead over Julie Desrameaux of Victoria, BC and a 12 minute lead over Ann Ciaveralla of Portland, Oregon.
The 13.1 mile run down and back along the Columbia River was cool and clear. Athletes shared the course with ITU Pan American Championship Elite and Age-Groupers as well as Iron Distance athletes. Brent took control with a best overall 1:27:51. David Ciaverella came from 5th down to second with a 1:30:31 and a 4:47:10. John Huberty of Cyde Hill came from 8th down to finish 3rd in the run and 3rd overall with a 4:53:23. On the run Julie held on for the win, Ann Ciaveralla ran past Julie Desrameuax for second place with a 5:10:57. Desrameuax came in third with a time of 5:12:25.
The Grand Columbian offers a special award called the Iron Partnership. The combined times of married partners doing Iron/Iron, Iron/Half Iron, and Half Iron. Ann and David Ciaverella won the Half/Half award with a combined time of 9:58:09.
As the 2006 USAT PNW LONG DISTANCE GRAND PRIX CHAMPIONSHIP the top three winners in each age-group qualified for Team USA and the 2007 Long Distance World Championships in L'Orient, France.
The Grand Columbian, now in its third year, was featured in Inside Triathlon Magazine as one of the 10 "must do" long distance triathlons in North America. The venue is spectacular with completely enthusiastic community support. This race is timed perfectly for athletes gearing up for Kona or building to November. For complete race results go to www.thegrandcolumbian.com
All athletes competing in the 2006 were greeted with a cool desert morning. Temperatures in the 50's as the sun rose over a calm Banks Lake swim at the Grand Columbian race site. In the 1900 meter swim, Mathew Hallowell of Corvallis, Oregon led all age groupers out of the water with a 24:25. Julie was third out of the water and first women at 25:28.
The bike leg was a little tougher than average with 10-20 MPH head winds in much of the course. It was Montana in control among the men with Jeffery Cincoski of Missoula ending the bike with a 2:43:24 and a one-minute lead over Brent - who had the best bike split of 2:34:45 and a one mile per hour average higher than the rest of the pack. Julie maintained her lead over the women with a 11 minute lead over Julie Desrameaux of Victoria, BC and a 12 minute lead over Ann Ciaveralla of Portland, Oregon.
The 13.1 mile run down and back along the Columbia River was cool and clear. Athletes shared the course with ITU Pan American Championship Elite and Age-Groupers as well as Iron Distance athletes. Brent took control with a best overall 1:27:51. David Ciaverella came from 5th down to second with a 1:30:31 and a 4:47:10. John Huberty of Cyde Hill came from 8th down to finish 3rd in the run and 3rd overall with a 4:53:23. On the run Julie held on for the win, Ann Ciaveralla ran past Julie Desrameuax for second place with a 5:10:57. Desrameuax came in third with a time of 5:12:25.
The Grand Columbian offers a special award called the Iron Partnership. The combined times of married partners doing Iron/Iron, Iron/Half Iron, and Half Iron. Ann and David Ciaverella won the Half/Half award with a combined time of 9:58:09.
As the 2006 USAT PNW LONG DISTANCE GRAND PRIX CHAMPIONSHIP the top three winners in each age-group qualified for Team USA and the 2007 Long Distance World Championships in L'Orient, France.
The Grand Columbian, now in its third year, was featured in Inside Triathlon Magazine as one of the 10 "must do" long distance triathlons in North America. The venue is spectacular with completely enthusiastic community support. This race is timed perfectly for athletes gearing up for Kona or building to November. For complete race results go to www.thegrandcolumbian.com
Lake Stevens 70.3 Event Lands Title Sponsor
(8-28-06) From Press Release - Premier Event Management and Ironman are proud to announce a multi-year agreement with Barclays North to become the title sponsor of the Ironman 70.3 Triathlon in Lake Stevens, Washington. The event, formerly known as the Lake Stevens 70.3 will now be referred to as the Barclays North Ironman 70.3.
Barclays North, headquartered in Lake Stevens, Washington has become one of the top residential and commercial real estate development companies in the western United States. Bill Burke, President of Premier Event Management comments on the new partnership with Barclays North, "This long-term relationship will ensure that our commitment to the Pacific Northwest meets the same level of commitment that has made Barclays North the leader in building communities and dreams for thousands of residents."
The Barclays North Ironman 70.3 is scheduled for July 8, 2007 and athletes can begin online registration for the 2007 event on December 1, 2006. The event will also include a new $30,000.00 professional prize purse and 75 slots for the 2007 Ford Ironman World Championship 70.3.
To complement the new title sponsor and the new prize purse, Premier Event Management is also pleased to announce a new host hotel sponsor for the 2007 Barclays North Ironman 70.3 Triathlon. The Holiday Inn Everett located less than 7 miles from the race venue will now become the home of all pre-race activities. From registration and packet pick-up to the new Barclays North Ironman 70.3 Fitness Expo, this hotel is the most convenient for competitors. To book a Barclays North Ironman 70.3 hotel reservation, please contact The Holiday Inn Everett at 425-339-2000 or by email at www.hieverett.com.
For further details on the new Barclays North Ironman 70.3 Triathlon from Lake Stevens, Washington, please log on to www.lakestevens703.com or contact Race Director, Bill Burke at 504-628-3155 or 866-454-6561. For more information on Ironman 70.3, visit www.ironman.com
Barclays North, headquartered in Lake Stevens, Washington has become one of the top residential and commercial real estate development companies in the western United States. Bill Burke, President of Premier Event Management comments on the new partnership with Barclays North, "This long-term relationship will ensure that our commitment to the Pacific Northwest meets the same level of commitment that has made Barclays North the leader in building communities and dreams for thousands of residents."
The Barclays North Ironman 70.3 is scheduled for July 8, 2007 and athletes can begin online registration for the 2007 event on December 1, 2006. The event will also include a new $30,000.00 professional prize purse and 75 slots for the 2007 Ford Ironman World Championship 70.3.
To complement the new title sponsor and the new prize purse, Premier Event Management is also pleased to announce a new host hotel sponsor for the 2007 Barclays North Ironman 70.3 Triathlon. The Holiday Inn Everett located less than 7 miles from the race venue will now become the home of all pre-race activities. From registration and packet pick-up to the new Barclays North Ironman 70.3 Fitness Expo, this hotel is the most convenient for competitors. To book a Barclays North Ironman 70.3 hotel reservation, please contact The Holiday Inn Everett at 425-339-2000 or by email at www.hieverett.com.
For further details on the new Barclays North Ironman 70.3 Triathlon from Lake Stevens, Washington, please log on to www.lakestevens703.com or contact Race Director, Bill Burke at 504-628-3155 or 866-454-6561. For more information on Ironman 70.3, visit www.ironman.com
Age Group Nationals Headed to Pacific Northwest
(8-18-2006) From Press Release - Portland, Oregon to serve as host of 2007 and 2008 events
The 2007 and 2008 USA Triathlon Age Group National Championships will be held at Hagg Lake, just outside Portland, Oregon, USAT Executive Director Skip Gilbert announced today.
The 2007 event is scheduled for Saturday, June 30. The 2008 race date is yet to be determined.
The Age Group National Championships is one of the most competitive amateur triathlons contested at the Olympic distance (1.5k swim, 40k bike, 10k run) in the United States. Close to 1,000 athletes, representing all 50 states, compete each year for their chance to be crowned a national champion. This is only the second time the race has been held in the Pacific Northwest (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho in 2001 and 2002). The 2006 event was held at Smithville Lake outside Kansas City, Mo.
"In searching for the next great home for USAT's National Championship in age group triathlon, we looked for a community that truly reflected the multi-sport lifestyle," said Gilbert. "We found that and more in Portland. We are absolutely thrilled to be bringing the Super Bowl of our sport to the city and hopeful that the community will respond with the same level of excitement in welcoming our country's best."
Hagg Lake has a long relationship with multi-sport. In 1982, The Hagg Lake Triathlon, known for its scenic and challenging course, was one of the stops on the six-city Bud Light Triathlon Series Tour, which criss-crossed the country through the mid-90s and played an integral part in jumpstarting the sport of triathlon in the Northwest.
The winning bid was submitted by the Oregon Sports Authority, whose mission is to define the state of Oregon as the preferred location for select amateur and professional sports events. They have hosted events such as the 2005 U.S. Figure Skating Championships, FIFA Women's World Cup Soccer and this weekend's Dew Action Sports Tour, among others, bringing more than $100 million to the Oregon economy.
"We're delighted that our nation's finest triathletes will have the opportunity to compete within the majestic beauty of Oregon as we host the USAT Age Group National Championships," said Drew Mahalic, executive director of the Oregon Sports Authority. "We anticipate that these Championships will set a new standard of excellence in athletic performance and satisfaction among the triathletes. We are honored that USAT selected the Oregon Sports Authority to serve as the host."
The event will once again be the sole qualifier for ITU World Championships. The 2007 Worlds are scheduled for September 1-2 in Hamburg, Germany. The top 16 in each age group will qualify.
For more information, visit these websites:
Oregon Sports Authority: www.oregonsports.org
Portland Oregon Visitors Association: www.pova.org
USA Triathlon is the national governing body for triathlon, duathlon, aquathlon and winter triathlon in the United States. USAT sanctions 1,800 races and connects with more than 70,000 members each year, making it the largest multi-sport organization in the world.
Please visit USA Triathlon's web site at www.usatriathlon.org.
The 2007 and 2008 USA Triathlon Age Group National Championships will be held at Hagg Lake, just outside Portland, Oregon, USAT Executive Director Skip Gilbert announced today.
The 2007 event is scheduled for Saturday, June 30. The 2008 race date is yet to be determined.
The Age Group National Championships is one of the most competitive amateur triathlons contested at the Olympic distance (1.5k swim, 40k bike, 10k run) in the United States. Close to 1,000 athletes, representing all 50 states, compete each year for their chance to be crowned a national champion. This is only the second time the race has been held in the Pacific Northwest (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho in 2001 and 2002). The 2006 event was held at Smithville Lake outside Kansas City, Mo.
"In searching for the next great home for USAT's National Championship in age group triathlon, we looked for a community that truly reflected the multi-sport lifestyle," said Gilbert. "We found that and more in Portland. We are absolutely thrilled to be bringing the Super Bowl of our sport to the city and hopeful that the community will respond with the same level of excitement in welcoming our country's best."
Hagg Lake has a long relationship with multi-sport. In 1982, The Hagg Lake Triathlon, known for its scenic and challenging course, was one of the stops on the six-city Bud Light Triathlon Series Tour, which criss-crossed the country through the mid-90s and played an integral part in jumpstarting the sport of triathlon in the Northwest.
The winning bid was submitted by the Oregon Sports Authority, whose mission is to define the state of Oregon as the preferred location for select amateur and professional sports events. They have hosted events such as the 2005 U.S. Figure Skating Championships, FIFA Women's World Cup Soccer and this weekend's Dew Action Sports Tour, among others, bringing more than $100 million to the Oregon economy.
"We're delighted that our nation's finest triathletes will have the opportunity to compete within the majestic beauty of Oregon as we host the USAT Age Group National Championships," said Drew Mahalic, executive director of the Oregon Sports Authority. "We anticipate that these Championships will set a new standard of excellence in athletic performance and satisfaction among the triathletes. We are honored that USAT selected the Oregon Sports Authority to serve as the host."
The event will once again be the sole qualifier for ITU World Championships. The 2007 Worlds are scheduled for September 1-2 in Hamburg, Germany. The top 16 in each age group will qualify.
For more information, visit these websites:
Oregon Sports Authority: www.oregonsports.org
Portland Oregon Visitors Association: www.pova.org
USA Triathlon is the national governing body for triathlon, duathlon, aquathlon and winter triathlon in the United States. USAT sanctions 1,800 races and connects with more than 70,000 members each year, making it the largest multi-sport organization in the world.
Please visit USA Triathlon's web site at www.usatriathlon.org.
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