Contact: Richard Finn, New York Road Runners, (212) 423-2229; rfinn@...

Carroll, Famiglietti to Challenge Mottram at Healthy Kidney 10K in Central Park
Seven Olympians in professional field

NEW YORK - (May 9, 2006) - Two-time Irish Olympian Mark Carroll and 2004 U.S. Olympian Anthony Famiglietti will join the field looking to topple defending champion and two-time Australian Olympian Craig Mottram at the Healthy Kidney 10K on Saturday, May 20, in Central Park, it was announced by New York Road Runners president and CEO Mary Wittenberg.

Carroll and Famiglietti round out an international field featuring seven Olympians and seven athletes with sub-28:00 10,000 meter track times. The Olympians in the field are Mohamed Amyn of Morocco, Dejene Berhanu of Ethiopia, John Henwood of New Zealand, Carroll, Famiglietti and the previously announced Mottram and Viktor Röthlin of Switzerland (seventh at the ING New York City Marathon 2005 in 2:11:44).

The seven athletes with sub-28:00 clockings on the track are Mottram, Amyn, Berhanu, Carroll, Famiglietti, Henwood and Linus Maiyo of Kenya. Filling out the field are Andrew Letherby of Australia and Matt Downin of the United States (11th at the ING New York City Marathon 2005 in 2:14:28).

"The addition of Mark, Anthony and four other Olympians to the race further raises the caliber of this world-class field," said Wittenberg. "This will be no stroll in the Park for Mottram and we are sure to witness an exhilarating finish."

Famiglietti, for one, has thrown down the gauntlet. "Mottram says he wants to run a 28:10 course record. I'm not going to let him get it that easy. It's my course; I run on it every day," said the 27-year-old New York City resident.

Referring to his impressive 27:37.74 finish in his 10,000m debut at the Payton Jordan Cardinal Invitational at Stanford on April 30, he added, "My newfound success in the 10,000 meters has lifted my confidence even more."

Carroll, Ireland's record-holder at 3000 (7:30.36), 5000 (13:03.93) and 10,000 (27:46.82) meters, placed sixth at the 2005 Healthy Kidney 10K in 29:18.

"I am happy to be returning to compete against world-class competition on the always challenging Central Park circuit," said Carroll, 34. "Competing in New York has always been a favorite challenge of mine and I look forward to being part of this event for the second time."

The Healthy Kidney 10K is an open race led by a small field of professional male runners and offers $20,000 in prize money to the top eight male finishers, with $7500 for the winner.

The race is sponsored by the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates to benefit the National Kidney Foundation, Inc., in appreciation of American medical excellence in the kidney transplant field. The late UAE president Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al-Nahyan benefited from American expertise, knowledge, and research when he received a kidney transplant in 2000. More than 45 embassy staff members and other UAE representatives finished the Healthy Kidney 10K in 2005.

For more information, visit: NYRR.org

Return to top / Return to main page

New Las Vegas Marathon Adds Half-Marathon to Run on World Famous Las Vegas Strip
Search for first-time marathoners to be focus of reality programming; online registration now open

LAS VEGAS - (May 9, 2006) - Building on the success of its debut race in 2005 which attracted nearly 11,000 participants, organizers of the New Las Vegas Marathon announced a series of initiatives that could attract up to 25,000 participants to the 2006 race on Sunday, December 10. Race Chairman Bernie Yuman announced the addition of a Half Marathon in response to the #1 request organizers received leading up to the inaugural race. Both events will start with a pre-dawn fireworks display in front of "official host hotel" Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino and run the entire neon corridor of the world famous Las Vegas Strip.

The New Las Vegas Marathon is organized by Devine, the worldwide leader in endurance sports. Devine President and CEO Steve Miller also announced the search for one man and one woman with little or no running experience to be featured in reality programming focused on their quest to complete their first Marathon. Candidates are asked to complete an online questionnaire at LVMarathon.com prior to June 15, 2006 to qualify. Winners will have the opportunity to train with Biggest Loser Gary Deckman, who recently completed his first marathon. They will also receive free entry into the race, roundtrip air travel and a two night race week stay at Mandalay Bay.

The New Las Vegas Marathon debuted in 2005 to worldwide media attention with its unique blend of running Elvi, an "only in Vegas" Run Through Wedding Chapel and an unprecedented opportunity to run the Las Vegas Strip. In response to requests from participants to run as showgirls, the New Las Vegas Marathon has arranged for a costume designer to accommodate these requests. The race established itself as the most first-timer friendly marathon in the world by holding a pep rally for neophyte participants on the finish line the day before the race, a tradition that will continue at this year's race. More information about these uniquely Vegas Marathon experiences can be found at LVMarathon.com

The race will offer personalized bibs for anyone who registers before September 15, 2006. While "Elvis" is taken, participants can have their names or nicknames on their bibs so spectators can "personalize" words of encouragement along the course.

Participants will not only have the opportunity to run the electrifying corridor past such hotels as New York-New York, MGM Grand, Bellagio, The Venetian and the new Wynn Las Vegas, they will run thru downtown's Fremont Street Experience on a fast and flat loop course. The race will be broadcast live for the second year on CBS affiliate KLAS-TV, "the news leader" in Las Vegas.

The 26.2 mile race will again attract elite athletes from around the world and participants from all 50 states and more than 40 nations by offering $350,000 in cash prizes and appearance fees. A $50,000 Challenge bonus will be offered to the first man or woman to cross the finish line as part of a unique racing format that gives the professional female runners a head start based on a time differential to be announced race week. The race organizers will award the $10,000 Clark County Championship prize to both the first local man and woman to cross the finish line.

The Marathon will be capped at 15,000 participants and the Half Marathon will be limited to 10,000 participants. Online registration is open now at LVMarathon.com and the race is expected to sell out quickly. Questions? Please call Race Director Terry Collier at (702) 731-1052 or email him at elvis@...

The New Las Vegas Marathon is organized by Devine. Devine is a brand name synonymous with excellence in endurance sports, education and training. The Chicago-based company has fast been building a national reputation for acquiring and managing world-class amateur athletic events. The Devine portfolio currently includes the Los Angeles Marathon, the 'New' Las Vegas Marathon, the Salt Lake City Marathon and the Chicago Half Marathon. For more information, call (312) 640-9700 or visit: DevineSports.com

Return to top / Return to main page

Shay, Johnson Lane Lead Field at USA 25K Championships
From USATF

2004 USA 20K champion Turena Johnson Lane and five-time national road champion Ryan Shay are among the top contenders for the USA 25K Championship, hosted by the 29th Fifth Third River Bank Run in Grand Rapids, Mich. this Saturday, May 13.

A 2005 World Championships marathoner for the U.S., Johnson Lane, 30, is set to win her second career U.S. title, but will be challenged by 2005 World Championships half-marathoner Laura Turner as well as Melissa White and Dot McMahan of the Hansons-Brooks Distance Project.

Shay, 27, the 2003-04 USA Running Circuit champion, will be looking for his first U.S. title since winning the 2005 USA 15K title. Shay, a Team Running USA athlete, can anticipate to face-off for the national title with 2005 USA Marathon champion Mbarak Hussein, NAIA All-American Fernando Cabada and in-state favorites Josh Eberly and Kyle Baker.

This marks the twelfth consecutive year that the Fifth Third River Bank Run has hosted the USA 25K Championships, which is the fourth stop for men and the second for women on the 2006 USA Running Circuit (USARC), a USA Track & Field road series, featuring USA Championships from 5K to the marathon.

For more information on the 2006 USARC and USA 25K Championships, visit: USATF.org

Return to top / Return to main page

Kipchirchir, Jelagat Victorious at Union-Tribune Race for Literacy 8K
New Women's Course Record Set

SAN DIEGO - (May 7, 2006) - Two newcomers to San Diego city streets proved that they were fast learners and cruised to convincing victories at the 18th Union-Tribune Race for Literacy held on Sunday. Over 4,350 runners participated in the fast point-to-point 8K course under mostly cloudy skies with temperatures hovering in the low 60s.

Henry Kipchirchir, 23, covered the 4.97-mile course in 23 minutes, 5 seconds, good for first place overall and a $1000 payday, while Jemima Jelagat, 21, dominated the women's field to a course record-setting win of 25:26. Jelagat's efforts also earned her $1000 plus a $500 bonus for the new course record. Both champions hail from Kenya and train in Tucson, Ariz.

After a start in the scenic, 1,200-acre Balboa Park, the lead pack of Kipchirchir, Ibrahim Limo, Nate Jenkins and Justin Patananan took control of the field and clocked a 4:44 first mile. Anxious to pick up the pace, the lanky 6'4' Kipchirchir opened up a 20-yard lead from the pack just after 2 miles and gradually increased it during the final miles.

"I knew my pace was comfortable and nobody was near me," said Kipchirchir, who never looked to see who was behind him during the race. "The first mile was slow so I knew that a new course record (22:28) was not in sight."

The trio of Limo, Jenkins and Patananan took turns leading the chase pack. Limo and Jenkins pulled away from Patananan in the final stretch and sprinted to the finish with Limo prevailing in 23:25, one second ahead of Jenkins. Patananan finished 5 seconds later in 23:31.

The women's competition seemed to be decided on even before it got started. Jelagat led wire-to-wire with a textbook win over defending champion, Erin Nehus, who finished one minute, 42 seconds back in 27:08 - her exact time in last year's race.

"My plan today was to break the course record," said Jelagat of her debut 8K win and course record. Her effort shaved 6 seconds off of the previous course record of 25:31.

A relative novice on the racing scene, Jelagat started racing just two years ago. "I am not well known because there are so many good runners in my country, "said Jelagat. "I would like to be known better in the future."

James Sheremeta, 42, of La Jolla, Calif. placed first in the men's masters race (25:19) and Laura Stewart, 41, of Encinitas, Calif. won the women's masters division in 29:03.

The unique Union-Tribune Race for Literacy course winds thru Balboa Park and the colorful Hillcrest neighborhood before taking runners onto the closed Cabrillo Parkway, a picturesque highway near downtown San Diego. The race's final mile tours through the historic Gaslamp District and finishes downtown.

The Union-Tribune Race for Literacy weekend also included a Kid's Magic Mile fun run, which took place on Saturday, May 6, 2006. Over 5,000 children participated in the one-mile dash through Balboa Park. All event proceeds benefit The San Diego Council on Literacy, which provides reading programs to more than 100,000 San Diegans.

18th Union-Tribune Race for Literacy 8K
San Diego, CA, Sunday, May 7, 2006

MEN
1) Henry Kipchirchir, 23, KEN, 23:05, $1000
2) Ibrahim Limo, 28, KEN, 23:25, $600
3) Nate Jenkins, 25, USA/MA, 23:26, $300
4) Justin Patananan, 25, USA/CA 23:31, $100
5) Sergio Reyes, 24, USA/CA, 23:44

Masters MEN (40+)
1) James Sheremeta, 42, USA/CA, 25:19

WOMEN
1) Jemina Jelagat, 21, KEN, 25:26*, $1500 (includes $500 course record bonus)
2) Erin Nehus, 25, USA/IN, 27:08, $600
3) Tiffanie Marley 23, USA/CA, 27:37, $300
4) Tamara Lave, 38, USA/CA, 27:49, $100
5) Kristi Markowicz, 36, USA/CA, 28:02
*course record (previous record, 25:31, Lyudmila Vasilyeva (RUS), 2001)

Masters WOMEN (40+)
1) Laura Stewart, 41, USA/CA, 29:03

For full results, visit: InMotionEvents.com

Return to top / Return to main page

Event Record and Record Field Set at 2006 Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon

CINCINNATI - (May 7, 2006) - Cecil Franke of Dublin, Ind., won the 8th annual Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon on Sunday morning in an event record time of 2 hours, 20 minutes, 25 seconds in only his second marathon. Franke, a cross country coach at Centerville High School, just outside Richmond, Indiana, shattered the previous marathon record of 2:21:15, set in 1999 by Elly Rono, as he dueled most of the way with runner-up Chris Reis, a native of Delhi Township, who ran a personal record of 2:23:23.

A record 14,911 were registered for the weekend events, including 4,919 in the full marathon, 4,937 in the half-marathon presented by National City, 200 in the Corporate Express corporate relay and 1,892 in the Ernst & Young open relay. In the Saturday events, 973 competed in the Toyota 10K, won by T.J. Lentz and Kerry Lee, 1,405 in the 5K and 585 in the Piglet Fun Run. Forty-eight states and fifteen countries, including the United States, were represented in the field.

"I was just trying to hang on," said the 38-year-old Franke. "I hadn't planned on going that fast, but Chris pushed me faster than I wanted to go."

Franke, who was raised in Osgood, Indiana, and ran at Ball State University, didn't have a strategy to sprint toward the end. "By mile 19, I felt good, so I picked up the tempo. My splits for mile 18 and 19 were right around 5:09."

In the women's division, 36-year-old Norah Shire of Hyde Park easily won in a time of 2:56:19. "It's a fantastic marathon, a great course," said the Washington, D.C., native, who is now living in Cincinnati, finishing her Ph.D. in viral epidemiology at the University of Cincinnati. "When you go thru the neighborhoods, it's so much fun. It's such a popular race - I mean, it's called the Flying Pig."

Second was 22-year-old Lindsey Yourman of New York, in 2:59:32 in her debut marathon.

In the Flying Pig Half Marathon presented by National City, 26-year-old Tilahun Abebe of Western Hills, a native of Ethiopia, won the men's race in a time of 1:14:07 after getting off work at midnight and getting little or no sleep before the race. He worked the second shift at the parking garage at Tower Place, one of two jobs he holds, then was at the starting line at 6:00am.

In second place was 32-year-old Omar Nash of Cincinnati in 1:15:35 and third was Shaun Pawsat, 36, of Fort Thomas, Ky. in 1:15:59. All three are members of the same Cincinnati running club, Earth Drummers.

For the women, Tanya Thatcher, 35, from Mason, Ohio, defended her title, finishing in 1:23:18. "There was a little more pressure because of winning the year before," she said. "I led thru four miles, then I hung back until mile nine, then I took the lead again. The downhill stretched pushed me home."

Second in 1:24:35 was Nicole LaSelle, 28, of Dayton, a former runner at Chaminade-Julienne High School and at the University of Notre Dame.

Returning to the Cincinnati running scene after two stress fractures is 27-year-old PJ Ball, who finished third in 1:26:10. The women's winner of the 2004 Flying Pig Marathon said she was just happy to be back running.

8th Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon
Cincinnati, OH, Sunday, May 7, 2006

MEN
1) Cecil Franke, IN, 2:20:25*
2) Chris Reis, OH, 2:23:23
3) Brian List, OH, 2:33:55
*event record (previous record, 2:21:15, Elly Rono (KEN), 1999)

WOMEN
1) Norah Shire, OH, 2:56:19
2) Lindsey Yourman, NY, 2:59:32
3) Betsy Armentrout, NC, 3:01:40

For complete results, visit: FlyingPigMarathon.com

Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Director

(805) 696-6232
Ryan@...

RunningUSA.org