Dave McGillivray PresentedNational Professional
of the Year Safety and Security Award
Race director of the
B.A.A. Boston Marathon, TD Beach to Beacon and New Balance Falmouth Road Race
receives award in Indianapolis
BOSTON(July 15, 2014)
ÛÒ The National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security has presented
its Professional of the Year Award for national marathon endurance events to
Dave McGillivray, the race director of the B.A.A. Boston Marathon and the
upcoming TD Beach to Beacon 10K and New Balance Falmouth Road Race.
McGillivray
accepted the award recently at the organizationÛªs annual security conference in
Indianapolis. Established in 2006, The
National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS4) at The
University of Southern Mississippi is a world leader in addressing
potential threats and risks to the safety and security of sporting events.
ÛÏThe reason
for the Professional of the Year Award is to allow professional leagues, NCAA
member institutions and marathon and endurance organizations to honor
outstanding individuals in the field of sports safety and security for their
contributions and leadership,Û said NCS4 Director Dr. Lou Marciani. ÛÏThese
contributions involve enhancing safety and security at their venue beyond what
is normally required, and setting an example for others to follow.Û For more
information, visit the organizationÛªs news
page.
McGillivray is the
founder and president of DMSE Sports, a leading sports event management firm
specializing in creating, marketing and producing mass participatory athletic events
throughout the U.S. and abroad. In addition to the B.A.A. Boston Marathon, DMSE
manages more than 25 major road races per year, including such iconic events as
the TD Beach to Beacon in Maine, the New Balance Falmouth Road Race on Cape
Cod, Run for the Dream in Williamsburg, Va., the Bellin Run in Green Bay, Wis.,
the Feaster Five Thanksgiving Day Road Race and the Across the Bay 10K in
Annapolis, Md.
McGillivray,
a Medford, Mass., native who now lives in North Andover, Mass., also is a
pioneer in what is now one of the most important aspects of the endurance
sports industry ÛÒ combining athletics with philanthropy. Nearly every DMSE
Sports event combines fitness and fundraising, giving back to the Jimmy Fund
and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, ChildrenÛªs Hospital, Ironstone Farm, the
Martin Richard Charitable Foundation, the Lazarus House and many others
charities and non-profit organizations in New England and across the country.
He along with all the events he has directed have helped raised more than $100
million for charity over 30+ years. For more info, visit www.dmsesports.com.
A superlative job done by the wind-blasted, beard-rimed male
and pioneer face-in-the-blizzard women of the host Somerville Road Runners in yesterday’s ice box 5K in artic chill
Cambridge. (Photo: Running in a box was one way to cut the wind. All photos by FitzFoto/NERunner).
Pub Series hardened veterans did congregate at the outside beer tent while many others sought
refuge in the Asgard post-race as 40-45mph gusts accompanied 26ËÅ¡ temperatures
at the 18th annual An Ras Mor 5K.
A very competitive race on both sides of the aisle as former
Brookline HS and U. Virginia standout David
Wilson won his 2nd 5K in a week, this in 15:28 over former Belmont HS and
Haverford ace Chris Stadler, down
from Burlington, VT with his dad and looking for a mid-15 clocking (which he
got in 15:34).
HFC’s Scott Wisnaskas
(early leader of the 2013 Pub Series) arrived 3rd in 15:58 with soon to be
married and honeymooning in the Dominican Republic, SRR’s Greg Picklesimer, beginning the Pub Series parade in 16:17 ahead of
2012 champ Lee Danforth and 2014
champ TJ Unger, both of HFC. “I’ll
mow them all down this year,” exclaimed Picklesimer.
Series 2013 winner Jake
Barnett of SRR placed 11th and in 17th was 2x champ Terry McNatt, now the Big 5-O and nailing down that division ahead
of 3x Series champ Paul Hammond. (Photo: Hammond in action. What’s with the gloves?)
HFC defending Veterans champ George Braun will get a run this year by former multi-time
divisional champ Dave Wessman of the
Thristy Irish Runners. Braun took the wind-swept affair in 19:58 but Wessman
wasn’t far off in 20:11.
Pub Series 70+ stalwart Dave
Pember can’t catch a break, running great in 24:14 but in arrears of NER’s
co-70+ MA Runner of the Year Joe Noonan
(23:44) and Duxbury ace Rick Stetson
(“a young 70”) in 23:00 while being chased by NH Wildman Denny LeBlanc.
2012 Pub Series Rookie of the Year Larry Cole claimed the 80+ division in 36:17 and then limped to the
Asgard to recuperate.
Yes, we thought the women’s winner looked familiar. Amory Salem was the only female to
crack 6’s as she surged at 2-miles (reached in 12:02) to blow through the
finish in 18:25. Salem (nee Rowe) was a two sport All American at Princeton,
was on the gold medal US lacrosse team at the 1997 World Championships and was
the 2004 US Duathlon champion while ranked No. 4 in the world. So there! (Photo: The former Amory Rowe on the go!)
NH’s Liz WhitingÛÓlast
year’s East End 5M victorÛÓthought she had 2nd sown up only to be outkicked by Ginger Reiner in the last 50m, 18:47 to
18:48. “Hey, I thought this was going to be a friendly 5K, I’ll be at Doyle’s,
bring it on! laughed Whiting. Both Rowe-Salem and Reiner are members of CSU.
Co-Pub Series defending champions Candice Gagnon (5th) and Amanda
Watters (7th) were in the mix with Master powerhouses Holly Madden arriving 9th and Lisa
Williams 14th. An Ras Mor defending champ Larissa Park (SRR) and co-x6 Race Director Mariah Tinger placed 11-12.
In a tough 50+ race, GBTC’s Claire McManus (3rd 50+ in 2014 Series) just decisioned Liberty’s Victoria Bok (2nd 50+ in 2014 Series)
in 21:47 to Bok’s 21:56. Claire will spend the next 2 weeks in Ireland before
arriving back in the US just in time for Doyle’s.
An email by defending 50+ champ Marge Bellisle (RI) reveals she woke up early for the drive to
Cambridge only to find her tires slashed. Ladies? Actually, 15 other cars in
the neighborhood suffered a similar fate, no doubt the work of local
miscreants.
Pub Veteran Joanne
Morris placed 2nd 60+ while 70+ All-World juggernaught Jan Holmquist (now running for Whirlaway) ran 7:14 pace to post up
in 22:25 to once again sweep all 70+ runners (sorry guys!).
This was all good craic in spite of the wicked weather. You
cannot beat an SRR event! See you at Doyle’s in a few weeks. If the winds die
down to a light gale we’ll be putting up the NER tent.
New York, June 1, 2015 – National Running Day, a
coast-to-coast celebration of running and a collaboration with top U.S.
running organizations to promote running as a healthy and accessible
form of exercise, will take place on Wednesday, June 3, it was announced
today by Running USA. In cities across the country, runners will
participate in group runs, wear National Running Day customizable bibs,
pledge their miles to charity, and more.
“National Running
Day is a time to celebrate healthy, active living together as a
community. Running USA, along with our members, are excited to celebrate
a fun and inspiring day with runners across the country,” said Running USA CEO Rich Harshbarger.
National Running
Day allows longtime and beginner runners alike to celebrate the sport
and build connection and community between fellow runners of all ages
and abilities, as well as attracts new participants. Whether runners
join a group run for the hundredth or first time, spread the running bug
to a friend, sign up for a race, or set a new goal, the day is meant to
celebrate the reasons and people that make a running a special part of
their lives.
In New York City, New York Road Runners (NYRR)
is inviting runners of all ages and abilities from across the five
boroughs of NYC to participate in group runs and walks and stop by water
stations for giveaways. NYRR’s flagship National Running Day event is
the Mighty Milers Fun Run, in which nearly 2,000 NYC students
participate in a year-end celebration of running that includes runs,
relay races, games, and more.
In Minneapolis and St. Paul, the Running Room, in partnership with Twin Cities In Motion, will host free group runs out of their local retail locations with refreshments and prize giveaways.
In Houston, the Houston Marathon Committee will
host a social media photo contest, and runners are encouraged to share
photos from their run on the Chevron Houston Marathon’s Facebook page
under their official National Running Day post, with the potential to
win prizes.
In Chicago, the Chicago Area Runners Association (CARA) will hosting three official National Running Day fun runs throughout the day.
In Atlanta and Hawaii, the Atlanta Track Club and Big Island Running Company are
pairing up to start and finish the day; Atlanta Track Club will host
runs at midnight and 6:00 a.m. (Eastern Time), while Big Island Running
Company’s group run will begin at 11:30 p.m. (Hawaii-Aleutian Standard
Time).
Nationally,
the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series will offer a special registration
savings across all events and have launched a fun campaign for ‘Why Running Rocks.’
Additionally, Women’s Running will offer a special 6-month magazine subscription offer for just $5.
Runners of all ranks can visit www.runningday.org to:
Find group runs and other events across the country, or create their own, by visiting the National Running Day website here
Connect with National Running Day on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to be a part of all the celebrations and giveaways
“Donate” their run or walk through Charity Miles and support important causes
Customize a National Running Day “I Run …” logo and bib, download a free Fun Run Guide, and more
About National Running Day
National
Running Day, held annually on the first Wednesday in June, is a day
when runners everywhere declare their passion for running. It is a
coast-to-coast celebration of a sport and activity that’s simple,
inexpensive, and fun. It’s the perfect way for longtime runners to
reaffirm their love of running and for beginners to kick off a lifetime
of life-changing commitment. National Running Day is a collaborative
effort of the foremost running organizations in the United States,
including the Atlanta Track Club, the Boston Athletic Association, the
Chevron Houston Marathon, the Chicago Area Runners Association,
Competitor Group, Inc., the Little Rock Marathon, the Marine Corps
Marathon, New York Road Runners, the Oregon Track Club, Running USA, the
Twin Cities In Motion and USA Track & Field.
About Running USA
Running
USA is a tax-exempt, not-for-profit organization devoted to improving
the status and experience of distance running and racing in the United
States through collective marketing and promotions, information and
communications within the industry and to the national media, services
to events and industry members, and the development of American world
class stars. It seeks the advancement of the sport and the provision of
value to each of its members’ events and businesses. For more
information, visit RunningUSA.org.
Quick note on Doyle’s during the deadline cycle swirl
preceding Boston:
*The weather for the 20th was so much better than forecast,
and veterans of this race know exactly what comes with an accurate forecast.
*The top 6 women included 4 former Pub Series QueensÛÓSara Donahue, Kara Haas, Amanda Watters
and Mimi Fallon.
*Fallon’s breaking of NY superstar Kathryn Martin’s
W50 record of 31:43 (2007) by 7 seconds was duly noted by the spot-on awards
emcee but somewhat lost was the fact that Holly
Madden (now 50!) also dipped under the record by 2 seconds to place 1 spot
and 5 seconds behind Fallon.
*Winner David Wilson
and Bronson Venerable were both
timed in 24:54. Defending Doyle’s champ Wilson was ahead by 30m at the
turnaround, and by the same distance through the tunnel exiting the park, but
Venerable’s sustained kick on the final Williams Street straightaway almost did
the trick.
*Defending Pub Series champ TJ Unger of HFC placed 5th in 26:15 ahead of SRR’s Greg Picklesimer (6th) and CSU’s Patrick Bugbee (7th). That may be the
iron of the order if Wilson holds true to form. To wit: last year he won the
City Run and Doyle’s. Ditto for 2016. Last year he split Doyle’s leaving his
father to pick up his gift certificate and merchandise; ditto for this year. Last
year he won the following two Pub Series Races and then was out with injury.
We’ll seeÛ¢
*In addition to the free Sam Adams, there were some exotic varietals being passed around, many from the sizable Ocean State contingent, but also from VT travelers and others – Heady Topper, Captain’s Daughter, Sippin Sunshine…and on….and on.
Men’s Standings
Women’s Standings
Next up on May 1, the escape to the Cape for Liam Maguire’s Almost 5-Miler..
American Olympic Marathoners Shalane Flanagan, Amy Cragg to run
B.A.A. 10K, presented by Brigham and Women’s Hospital
(Photo of Cragg, Flanagan at LA Trials by MickFoto/NERunner)
Leading to the Olympic Marathon in Rio de Janeiro, Flanagan and Cragg will return to the streets of Boston for the fast, flat race on June 26
BOSTON ÛÓ The Boston Athletic Association announced today that Olympic Marathoners Shalane Flanagan and Amy Cragg will return to Boston to compete in the sixth annual B.A.A. 10K, presented by Brigham and Women’s Hospital, on Sunday, June 26. Flanagan and Cragg will race the B.A.A. 10K as part of their preparation for the Olympic Marathon in Rio de Janeiro, where they will comprise two of the three members of the American team.
“We are extremely pleased and honored that Shalane and Amy have decided to race in Boston as part of their preparation for the Olympic Marathon,” said B.A.A. Executive Director Tom Grilk. “Shalane and Amy are two fan favorites in our sport, and they will have the city’s support behind them as they race along the fast course through Boston.”
Flanagan, a four-time Olympian and 2008 Olympic bronze medalist on the track, has run the Boston Marathon three times. A native of Marblehead, Mass., Flanagan finished fourth in 2013 (2:27:08), sixth in 2014 (2:22:02), and ninth in 2015 (2:27:47). Flanagan’s 2:22:02 time from 2014 ranks as the fastest Boston Marathon ever by an American woman.
Cragg also participated in the 2015 Boston Marathon, though was unable to finish. Earlier this year she won the U.S. Olympic Trials Marathon in Los Angeles, finishing in 2:28:20 to qualify for her second Olympic team. In 2012, Cragg represented Team USA at the London Olympics, finishing 11th in the 10,000m.
“It’s not often that [Olympic] marathoners get the opportunity to race, but the scheduling of the B.A.A. 10K is perfect for their Rio preparation,” said Jerry Schumacher, who coaches both Flanagan and Cragg in Portland, Ore.
Flanagan and Cragg lead the American charge in Boston for the B.A.A. 10K, presented by Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Fellow American Olympians Dathan Ritzenhein and Abdi Abdirahman also will be competing.
The 2016 B.A.A. 10K, presented by Brigham and Women’s Hospital, will feature one of the strongest fields in race history, bringing together Boston Marathon champions, Olympians, and international stars on the roads of Boston. Reigning Boston Marathon champion Atsede Baysa, Boston Marathon course record holder Geoffrey Mutai, and B.A.A. 10K defending champions Daniel Salel and Mary Wacera all will return aiming for the top spot of the podium at the B.A.A. 10K. The elite field can be found below.
The B.A.A. 10K, presented by Brigham and Women’s Hospital, begins on Sunday, June 26, at 8:00 a.m. EDT on Charles Street between Boston Common and the Public Garden. The 6.2-mile course is a flat, fast tour through Boston’s Back Bay neighborhood. Following the start on Charles Street, the race turns onto Boylston Street and Arlington Street, then winds down picturesque Commonwealth Avenue and Bay State Road as far west as Babcock Street near Boston University. Participants then head back on Commonwealth Avenue, under the iconic Boston Strong sign, around the Public Garden, and finish on Charles Street. Registration for the B.A.A. 10K, presented by Brigham and Women’s Hospital, remains open. For more information on the B.A.A. 10K, please visit www.baa.org.
ELITE ATHLETE FIELD (as of June 20, 2016)
MEN
ATHLETE AGE COUNTRY 10K PERSONAL BEST (LOCATION, YEAR SET)
Geoffrey Mutai
34
KEN
27:19 (B.A.A. 10K, 2011)
Daniel Salel
25
KEN
27:41 (B.A.A. 10K, 2014)
Dathan Ritzenhein
33
USA/MI
28:08 (New York City, 2007)
Abdi Abdirahman
39
USA/AZ
28:11 (Atlanta, 2007)
Philip Langat
26
KEN
27:28 (Utrecht, 2011)
Silus Kipruto
31
KEN
27:28 (Marseille, 2008)
Daniel Chebii
31
KEN
27:35 (Prague, 2013)
Gabriel Geay
20
TAN
28:48 (Paderborn, 2016)
Eliud Ngetich
23
KEN
28:50 (Mobile, 2016)
Kevin Kochei
26
KEN
28:52 (New York City, 2014)
Brian Harvey
29
USA/MA
29:51 (Cape Elizabeth, 2014)
Eric Ashe
27
USA/MA
30:12 (Cape Elizabeth, 2014)
Henry Lelei
27
KEN/TX
Debut
WOMEN
ATHLETE AGE COUNTRY 10K PERSONAL BEST (LOCATION, YEAR SET)
Established in 1887, the Boston Athletic Association is a non-profit organization with a mission of promoting a healthy lifestyle through sports, especially running. The B.A.A.’s Boston Marathon is the world’s oldest annual marathon, and the organization manages other local events and supports comprehensive charity, youth, and year-round running programs. Since 1986, the principal sponsor of the Boston Marathon has been John Hancock Financial. The Boston Marathon is part of the Abbott World Marathon Majors, along with international marathons in Tokyo, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York City. More than 60,000 runners will participate in B.A.A. events in 2016. The 121st Boston Marathon will be held on Monday, April 17, 2017. For more information on the B.A.A., please visit www.baa.org.
MEDIA For further information, please contact media@baa.org.
ABOUT BRIGHAM AND WOMEN’S HOSPITAL
Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH) is a 793-bed nonprofit teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School and a founding member of Partners HealthCare. BWH has more than 4.2 million annual patient visits, nearly 46,000 inpatient stays and employs nearly 16,000 people. The Brigham’s medical preeminence dates back to 1832, and today that rich history in clinical care is coupled with its national leadership in patient care, quality improvement and patient safety initiatives, and its dedication to research, innovation, community engagement and educating and training the next generation of health care professionals. Through investigation and discovery conducted at its Brigham Research Institute (BRI), BWH is an international leader in basic, clinical and translational research on human diseases, more than 1,000 physician-investigators and renowned biomedical scientists and faculty supported by nearly $600 million in funding. For the last 25 years, BWH ranked second in research funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) among independent hospitals. BWH continually pushes the boundaries of medicine, including building on its legacy in transplantation by performing a partial face transplant in 2009 and the nation’ first full face transplant in 2011. BWH is also home to major landmark epidemiologic population studies, including the Nurses’ and Physicians’ Health Studies and the Women’s Health Initiative as well as the TIMI Study Group, one of the premier cardiovascular clinical trials groups. For more information, resources and to follow us on social media, please visit BWH’s online newsroom.
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SACRAMENTO, Calif. (22-Jun) — Galen Rupp’s streak of eight consecutive USA 10,000m titles came to an end here tonight at Hornet Stadium when the two-time Olympic medalist faded in the final lap of choppy and slow race which was won by Oregon Track Club Elite’s Hassan Mead in 29:01.44. Rupp, who runs for the Nike Oregon Project, finished fifth. On the women’s side, Saucony’s Molly Huddle extended her winning streak at these championships to three, comfortably winning the 25-lap race in a solid 31:19.86, the second-fastest by an American this year.
MEN’S RACE BECAME CAT AND MOUSE AFFAIR
While the women’s contest was a traditional battle of endurance won off of a steady and strong pace, the men’s race early on became a game of cat and mouse. Feeling no pressure to run a fast time, the men’s pack jogged through the first 800 meters in 2:29, only slightly faster than the women (2:32). The group of 24 athletes was tightly bunched, with veteran Ben Bruce of Hoka Northern Arizona Elite at the front.
With 19 laps to go, 2015 national road running champion Sam Chelanga became impatient. Coming down the homestretch, he shot to the lead and threw in a 64.7-second lap, followed by another at 65.1. Rupp covered the move, making sure that Chelanga stayed within reach, and it looked like the race was simply getting more serious.
“We were just jogging,” Chelanga told the media after the race. “I figured, these people (the fans) didn’t come to just watch us jog… (so) I took it out.”
But then lap after lap, Chelanga allowed the field to catch up, then he sprinted away again down the homestretch, each time opening up a three to four-second gap on the field. The 32 year-old Nike-sponsored athlete looked like he was doing a fartlek workout.
Behind Chelanga, Rupp was running with the race’s other favorites: Mead, Nike Bowerman Track Club’s Chris Derrick, U.S. Army’s Shadrack Kipchirchir and Leonard Korir, American Distance Project’s Biya Simbassa, and Asics’s Diego Estrada. Mead knew how strong Chelanga was, but he wasn’t going to let his tactics sway him.
“Sam’s strong; you’ve got to respect Sam,” Mead told the media. “Just being in this sport and this event, it’s hard for him to do that solo.”
Each time the group passed the finish line, the yo-yoing Chelanga was still in the lead until there were three laps to go. Then Rupp surged to the front, dropping Chelanga (who would later finish seventh). Derrick made a strong move on the backstretch which turned into a 62-second penultimate lap. Rupp was at the back of the group and would never recover his position.
Mead –who dropped out in this discipline with less than 400 meters to go at last year’s Olympic Trials– felt confident with his speed. His legs were still fresh and he could smell victory.
“For me, the slower they went the better,” Mead admitted. “If you ask me personally, I think I have great confidence in myself that I had the best kick in the group. So, if you want 33 minutes and it came down to the last K, I was ready to run 2:22.”
Mead ripped the last lap in 55.3 seconds, and that was just enough to beat Kipchirchir, who clocked 29:01.68. Korir, who made last year’s Olympic team in the same discipline, finished third in 29:02.64, and Simbassa was fourth (29:03.48). Derrick, who has battled injuries the last two seasons, finished eighth.
“It was a strange race,” Derrick told reporters.
A visibly upset Rupp did not speak with the media, despite pleas from USA Track & Field officials to stop in the mixed zone.
By comparison, Huddle’s race seemed almost scripted. Running in her first USA Championships 10,000m since 2015, Olympic silver medalist and Nike Bowerman Track Club athlete Shalane Flanagan went immediately to the front and set an honest pace. After a 78.7-second opening circuit, the 2:21 marathoner got right down to business with a 73.7-second second lap, immediately stringing out the field. Flanagan thought this was her best strategy.
“I don’t have a kick,” explained Flanagan who is short on training after suffering a fracture in her spine earlier this year. She continued: “I just looked strategically on paper, if I can go run 31:15 to 31:30 I had a chance.”
Huddle tucked in right behind Flanagan, and Huddle’s training partner, Team New Balance’s Emily Sisson, also fell into line along with Flanagan’s Bowerman teammate Emily Infeld. Behind the leading quartet, two more Team New Balance athletes, Natosha Rogers and Kim Conley, followed.
Lap after lap, Flanagan led, the athletes frozen in their places. For 20 laps, the 35 year-old was on the front, only sharing the lead with Huddle for four of those laps. The pace had slowed to 76’s and 77’s, but Huddle remained patient, confident that she could break away when the time was right.
“That’s what we were hoping for,” Huddle said of the steady pace. “The goal, obviously, for me and Emily to both make the team. She’s really strong, so we wanted it to be strung out. Shalane and Emily Infeld wanted the same thing.”
Huddle chose the penultimate lap to break away, running 69.6 seconds. She put the race away with a 65-flat final lap, thus booking her team spot for her sixth consecutive global championships.
“It was a rough last lap, but I just wanted to pour it all out,” Huddle said. “Whatever it was, it was good hard practice for Worlds.”
When the pace picked up on the final circuit, Flanagan was not able to jump to the next gear. That left the two Emily’s to battle for the second spot, with Infeld having the edge over Sisson, 31:22.67 to 31:25.64. Flanagan, who later said she had “big aspirations for the fall,” took fourth in 31:31.12.
“I haven’t been on the track in a while, and they just have those gears,” Flanagan said of her rivals tonight. She added: “I was massively under-prepared, but was hoping that all of my strength from the 12 to 13 years would come into play, just being tough, just being gritty out there.”
COBURN LEADS STEEPLE QUALIFYING
Five-time national women’s steeplechase champion Emma Coburn was the fastest tonight of 14 women who made Saturday’s final, clocking a comfortable 9:38.68 in the first heat. Her 2016 Olympic teammates, Colleen Quigley (9:40.63) and Courtney Frerichs (9:47.75) also advanced without incident.
“It was good,” said Coburn who runs for Team New Balance. “I was happy to not lead and just chill behind Megan (Rolland) for a while. Then with about 800 (to go), I just wanted open my legs just a little bit so Saturday’s race wouldn’t feel quite as shocking. It was a good race.”
Stephanie Garcia, who has a 9:19.48 personal best, looked shaky in her prelim, stutter-stepping before several barriers and even falling on the second to last water jump. She recovered to finish fourth in the second heat in 9:48.70, and advanced to the final.
“Coming back after last year’s Olympic Trials really made me feel vulnerable,” said Garcia, who struggled the last 200 meters, fell over the final barrier and finished fifth. “You know, to put it out there then to have that ending. So, I’m proud of myself for coming back. I’m the fittest I’ve ever been.”
MOST FAVORITES ADVANCE OUT OF 1500M FIRST ROUND
There were few surprises in the first round of the men’s and women’s 1500m, with Olympic medalists Matthew Centrowitz, Clayton Murphy and Jenny Simpson all advancing with little drama.
Centrowitz and Murphy (who is doubling here in the 800 and 1500-meters), had the advantage of running in the third of three heats. Centrowitz, who runs for the Nike Oregon Project, made sure the pace was fast enough and didn’t mind finishing third in 3:40.79 behind Oregon’s Samuel Prakel (3:40.76) and Asics’s Johnny Gregorek (3:40.78). Murphy got fourth and advanced on time (3:40.94).
“I’m glad our heat went faster than the other ones, not so much because we got the auto qualifiers but more so (because) I put a hard effort in,” Centrowitz told reporters. “We have a day of rest, so not too worried about getting in a good hard effort in today; plenty of time to recover and get ready for the final.”
Also advancing on the men’s side was rising star Cristian Soratos. Coming off of a strong indoor season, the adidas athlete won the second heat over Olympian Robby Andrews, 3:42.01 to 3:42.25, with a confident kick.
“I had a couple of shaky races leading into this, but I knew it had nothing to do with my fitness,” said Soratos. “I knew if I executed properly today I could run well and get through.”
Simpson, a Team New Balance athlete, chose to lead her heat from gun to tape, a practical choice to avoid trouble, but also a decision to help the five collegiate athletes who were in her heat.
“I knew I was in a race with Sara Vaughn, who I know, and a lot of collegians,” Simpson told reporters. “And I thought, they’d probably like it if I took it, so I’ll just do it. It seemed like the easiest thing to do on a night like tonight.”
Other favorites headed to Saturday’s final were Nike’s Kate Grace and Alexa Efraimson, who finished one-two in the first heat; Oregon outgoing freshman Katie Rainsberger; and American record holder Shannon Rowbury of the Nike Oregon Project.
SYMMONDS SAYS FAREWELL
Six-time national 800m champion Nick Symmonds made his swan song on the track, finishing last in his heat in 1:51.52. The affable Symmonds, who runs for Brooks, then made a startling announcement.
“It was all about saying goodbye to everybody; I gave everyone a hug I could find today,” Symmonds said. He added: “I’ve got one more race in my legs. I’m here to let you guys know that the last race I’ll run as a pro is the 2017 Honolulu Marathon, December 10th.”
At the front, Nike’s Erik Sowinski led all qualifiers to the semi-finals with a mark of 1:46.55. Other key athletes to move on were Nike’s Clayton Murphy and Donavan Brazier, Penn State’s Isaiah Harris, and Brooks’s Shaquille Walker. Casimir Loxsom, the world record-holder for 600m indoors, was the main casualty on the men’s side, fading badly to finish fifth in his heat.
On the women’s side Brenda Martinez of Team New Balance led all qualifiers with a 2:02.31 mark out of the first heat.
“I just wanted to be careful and stay out of the way,” Martinez said. She continued: “I felt really comfortable. I think if I needed an extra gear I had it there.”
Other athletes with national team aspirations to move ahead included NCAA Champion Raevyn Rogers of the University of Oregon and 2014 national champion Ajee’ Wilson of adidas. High school sensation Samantha Watson also advanced.
“It was crazy; I didn’t think I would be up there like that,” said Watson, her eyes full of wonder. She added: “Making the finals would be cool, but I know I’m young and I know it might not happen.”
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Defending Champions Return for B.A.A. 5K and B.A.A. Invitational Mile
American record holder Ben True and Ethiopia’s Buze Diriba aim to retain B.A.A. 5K titles, while global medalist Nicole Sifuentes leads B.A.A. Invitational Mile field.
BOSTON – The Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) today announced an elite field of world class competitors for the 2018 B.A.A. 5K and B.A.A. Invitational Mile, to be held on Saturday, April 14, two days prior to the 2018 Boston Marathon®. New Hampshire’s Ben True will return to Boston looking to earn his fifth B.A.A. 5K title, while Ethiopia’s Buze Diriba will defend her 2017 crown.
Following the B.A.A. 5K, Canada’s Nicole Sifuentes and American Drew Hunter will lead world-class fields at the tenth annual B.A.A. Invitational Mile. The B.A.A. Invitational Mile will also include Middle School 1K races and Scholastic Mile races featuring youth athletes from the eight cities and towns of the Boston Marathon course.
A $39,900 (USD) prize purse will be distributed to the top finishers of the B.A.A. 5K, while a $14,500 (USD) prize purse will be available in the B.A.A. Invitational Mile.
True is a veteran and New England favorite on the roads of Boston, having broken the American record twice at the B.A.A. 5K in both 2015 and 2017. A year ago, True timed 13:20 en route to his fifth win in seven years. Coming off a win at the NYC Half in March, True will drop down in distance and face a tough field that includes fellow Americans Eric Jenkins, Tommy Curtin, and Scott Fauble. Jenkins, a native of New Hampshire, is a two-time NCAA champion and was runner-up at last year’s USA Championships 5000m on the track.
Leading the international challengers are 2016 Olympic 5000m bronze medalist Hagos Gebrhiwet, three-time B.A.A. Half Marathon champion Daniel Salel, and last year’s B.A.A. 5K fourth place finisher Philip Langat. Charles Philibert-Thiboutot of Canada is also in the field.
Ethiopia’s Buze Diriba earned a nailbiting victory a year ago, denying Molly Huddle her fourth straight victory by two seconds. Crossing the line in 14:54, Diriba set a new personal best; since then she’s been a consistent winner on the U.S. road racing scene. Diriba placed third at the B.A.A. 10K in June of 2017, and won the NYC Half last month.
Americans Emily Sisson, Molly Seidel, Diane Nukuri, Sarah Pagano, and Elaina Tabb will all toe the line alongside Diriba. Sisson represented Team USA at the 2017 IAAF World Championships 10,000m, while Seidel finished second at the USA 5K Championships last November. Pagano and Tabb each are part of Team B.A.A. – training in Boston under B.A.A. High Performance coach Ricardo Santos – and have represented the USA in cross country and on the roads.
Kenya’s Monicah Ngige and Ethiopians Fotyen Tesfay and Gotytom Gebreslase join Diriba as the top women’s international entrants. A field of 10,000 participants will take part in the B.A.A. 5K, the first event of the 2018 B.A.A. Distance Medley. The race starts and finishes on Charles Street adjacent to Boston Common and the Boston Public Garden, and passes the Boston Marathon finish line on Boylston Street approximately 2.4 miles into the race.
Returning to the B.A.A. Invitational Mile a year after setting a course record is Nicole Sifuentes of Canada. In 2017, Sifuentes clocked an event record 4:33.7 to take the title, finishing a step ahead of Cory McGee. The two-time Olympian returns looking to become the first woman to earn back-to-back B.A.A. Invitational Mile crowns.
Sifutentes will again face McGee, as well as fellow University of Michigan alums Shannon Osika and Becca Addison. Lauren Johnson, Katrina Coogan, and Amanda Rego round out the field. Johnson is a member of Team B.A.A., and finished fourth at last year’s USA Outdoor Championships 1500m.
The B.A.A. Invitational Mile men’s field features Drew Hunter, a 3:56.79 miler and one of the top young talents in track and field. Hunter will be joined on the line by Patrick Casey, Daniel Winn, Daniel Herrera, Sam Parsons, John Simons, and Julian Oakley. Oakley placed ninth at the IAAF World Indoor Championships last month representing New Zealand.
A detailed start list and schedule of events for both the B.A.A. 5K and B.A.A. Invitational Mile can be found below. The men’s event record for the B.A.A. 5K stands at 13:20, set by Ben True in 2017, while the women’s event record is 14:50 run by Molly Huddle in 2015. The men’s and women’s event records for the B.A.A. Invitational Mile are 4:03.3 (Nick Willis, 2013) and 4:33.7 (Nicole Sifuentes, 2017).
The B.A.A. Invitational Mile includes six races, held shortly after the 2018 B.A.A. 5K. The first two races feature middle school age students from the eight cities and towns of the Boston Marathon course – Hopkinton, Ashland, Framingham, Natick, Wellesley, Newton, Brookline, and Boston. The girls’ and boys’ Middle School 1K races include runners between sixth and eighth grade and finish at the Boston Marathon finish line on Boylston Street.
Following the Middle School 1K races is the Scholastic Mile, which features girls’ and boys’ races for high school students from the eight cities and towns of the Boston Marathon course. The Scholastic Mile follows the same three-lap, USATF-certified course the professional mile athletes run, finishing at the Boston Marathon finish line.
SATURDAY, APRIL 14, 2018 – SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
8:00 a.m. B.A.A. 5K, Boston Common
10:30 a.m. Girls’ Middle School 1K, Boston Marathon Finish Line
10:40 a.m. Boys’ Middle School 1K, Boston Marathon Finish Line
10:55 a.m. Girls’ Scholastic Mile, Boston Marathon Finish Line
11:05 a.m. Boys’ Scholastic Mile, Boston Marathon Finish Line
11:20 a.m. Men’s Invitational Mile, Boston Marathon Finish Line
11:30 a.m. Women’s Invitational Mile, Boston Marathon Finish Line
MEN’S 5K ELITE FIELD
MEN’S 5K ELITE FIELD
Name Age Country Road 5K PB Track 5000m PB
Ben True
32
USA/NH
13:20 (AR, B.A.A. 5K ’17)
13:02.7
Daniel Salel
27
Kenya
13:27
13:08.2
Hagos Gebrhiwet
23
Ethiopia
13:14
12:47.5
Philip Langat
27
Kenya
13:30
13:48.0
Eric Jenkins
26
USA/OR
N/A
13:05.85 (indoors)
Tommy Curtin
24
USA/MA
13:58
13:26.6
Reid Buchanan
25
USA/CA
13:51
13:27.8
Scott Fauble
26
USA/AZ
14:21
13:50.81 (indoors)
Matt Llano
29
USA/AZ
N/A
13:59.62 (indoors)
Trevor Dunbar
26
USA/CO
14:01
13:26.3
Brian Schrader
26
USA/MA
13:57
13:29.1
Joe Stilin
28
USA/NC
13:49
13:32.2
Luis Vargas
24
USA/NC
13:38
13:47.00 (indoors)
Charles Philibert-Thiboutot
27
Canada
14:03
13:33.2
B.A.A. 5K PRIZE STRUCTURE (Equal for both men and women)
Place Open Masters Push Rim Wheelchair
1
$7,500
$300
$300
2
$4,000
$200
$200
3
$2,500
$100
$100
4
$1,500
5
$1,000
6
$750
7
$600
8
$400
9
$300
10
$200
GRAND TOTAL: $39,900
MEN’S MILE ELITE FIELD
Name Age Country Road Mile PB Track Mile PB
Drew Hunter
20
USA/CO
N/A
03:56.8
Sam Parsons
23
USA/NC
N/A
04:07.5
Daniel Herrera
25
MEX/LA
3:54
03:56.1
John Simons
27
USA/NH
4:09
3:59.32 (indoors)
Patrick Casey
27
USA/OR
4:01
03:52.6
Daniel Winn
26
USA/NY
3:58
03:56.7
Julian Oakley
24
NZL/RI
N/A
3:55.10 (indoors)
WOMEN’S MILE ELITE FIELD
Name Age Country Road Mile PB Track Mile PB
Nicole Sifuentes
31
CAN/MI
04:29.1
04:28.5
Shannon Osika
24
USA/MI
4:28
4:27.55 (indoors)
Cory McGee
25
USA/MA
4:36
4:27.67 (indoors)
Katrina Coogan
24
USA/MA
4:38
04:33.0
Lauren Johnson
30
USA/MA
4:31
04:25.0
Amanda Rego
27
USA/CO
N/A
4:26.28 (indoors)
Becca Addison
26
USA/MI
4:38
4:30.70 (indoors)
B.A.A. INVITATIONAL MILE PRIZE STRUCTURE (Equal for both men and women)
Place Open
1
$3,000
2
$2,000
3
$1,500
4
$750
5
$500
GRAND TOTAL: $14,500
GRAND TOTAL: $14,500
ABOUT THE BOSTON ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION (B.A.A.)
Established in 1887, the Boston Athletic Association is a non-profit organization with a mission of promoting a healthy lifestyle through sports, especially running. The B.A.A.’s Boston Marathon is the world’s oldest annual marathon, and the organization manages other local events and supports comprehensive charity, youth, and year-round running programs. Since 1986, the principal sponsor of the Boston Marathon has been John Hancock. The Boston Marathon is part of the Abbott World Marathon Majors, along with international marathons in Tokyo, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York City. More than 60,000 runners will participate in B.A.A. events in 2018. The 122nd Boston Marathon will be held on Monday, April 16, 2018. For more information on the B.A.A., please visit www.baa.org.
FINAL PRE CLASSIC AT HAYWARD FIELD DELIVERS GREAT RESULTS
By David Monti, @d9monti
(c) 2018 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved
EUGENE, OREGON (26-May) — At the final edition of the Prefontaine Classic ever to be held at historic Hayward Field here, the capacity crowd of 12,667 was treated to both unexpectedly sunny conditions and a top-flight athletics competition punctuated by seven world-leading marks, three meeting records, one all-comers record, and even an U18 meeting record. The stadium, which is on the campus of the University of Oregon and has hosted athletics meetings for 97 years, will be demolished later this year and will be replaced by a completely redesigned facility.
“I’m not sure it will hit me until it’s gone,” said Tom Jordan who has directed the meet since 1984.
Fans of middle and long distance action, in particular, did not go home disappointed. On paper, the top mark was Caster Semenya’s 800m meeting and all-comers record of 1:55.92 (also a 2018 world leader), but it was perhaps the U18 meeting record in the Bowerman Mile of 3:52.28 by Norway’s 17 year-old Jacob Ingebrigtsen that left the most lasting impression. Ingebrigtsen’s mark –good for fourth place behind African stars Timothy Cheruiyot (3:49.87 WL), Samuel Tefera (3:51.26), and Elijah Manangoi (3:52.18)– toppled Alan Webb’s previous mark of 3:53.43 achieved at this meeting in 2001, the year after Ingebrigtsen was born. Webb, who lives a two hour drive from here in Portland, was on hand today to watch the race.
“My goal was to take Alan Webb’s record, but I knew of course it was going to be tough,” a poised Ingebrigtsen told reporters. “I had a PB in mind, but today felt really good. I’m really happy with the way it turned out.”
The race went out hard from the gun with pacemakers Andrew Rotich and Jackson Kivuva pulling the 15-man field through the quarter mile in 55.6 seconds. The pack quickly strung out with Djibouti’s Ayanleh Souleiman, Ethiopia’s Tefera, and Kenya’s Cheruiyot and Manangoi close behind. Rotich got the field through halfway in 1:55.3, then stepped off to allow Kivuva to finish up the pacing duties. With one lap to go, Souleiman had faded slightly leaving Tefera and Manangoi to chase the powerful Cheruiyot, last summer’s IAAF World Championships silver medalist, to the line. Cheruiyot’s 56.1-second final lap was fast enough to get the win, but it was Ingebrigtsen’s 55.5-second last lap which was the fastest and sealed the record for him.
“I had a really good last lap, so it felt good,” Ingebrigtsen said simply.
South Africa’s Semenya, the reigning Olympic and world champion, dominated the women’s 800m. Behind the pacemaking of Chrishuna Williams, Semenya hit halfway in 57.93, and ran nearly as fast for her second circuit (57.99).
“I had to take an advantage when I saw 57,” Semenya said after here race. “I tried to maintain 57 again, and see what I can come up with.”
Behind Semenya, American Ajee’ Wilson came from fourth position in the homestretch, passing Burundi’s Francine Niyonsaba and Ethiopia’s Habitam Alemu, to get second in 1:56.86, the third-fastest time of her career.
“When it came to the last 200 of the race I made a couple of mistakes, but I was able to come away with second,” said Wilson who was pleased with her time but not her tactics.
In the women’s metric mile, the Bowerman Track Club’s Shelby Houlihan upset international medalists Jenny Simpson of the United States and Laura Muir of Great Britain with a blazing final 100 meters where she moved from sixth position to first. Houlihan broke the tape in a world-leading and personal best 3:59.06, her first-ever sub-4:00 run.
“It was really cool to be able to break four,” an elated Houlihan told the media. She continued: “Going into the bell lap I was like, I feel really good now and I’m just hoping I can stay strong into the last lap and I was able to.”
Simpson, who led at the bell and held that lead into the final turn, had to settle for third in 3:59.37, just edged at the line by the charging Muir (3:59.30). Morocco’s Rababe Arafi also had an excellent race, clocking a personal best 3:59.51 in fourth place.
“I thought the best thing for me to do leading was to make them run hard the whole last 400,” Simpson explained. She added: “I just did the best that I could.”
Linden Hall set an Australian record of 4:00.86 in sixth place.
In other distance action, Genzebe Dibaba of Ethiopia ran a world-leading 14:26.89 in the 5000m, leading three other women, Letesenet Gidey and Gudaf Tsegay of Ethiopia and Hellen Obiri of Kenya, under 15 minutes. Australia’s Luke Mathews won the International Mile, essentially the B heat, in 3:57.02, which was the 400th sub-4:00 mile ever recorded at the Prefontaine Classic. Benjamin Kigen was the surprise winner of the men’s steeplechase, running a world-leading and personal best time of 8:09.07. Behind him, Kenya’s Conseslus Kipruto and the USA’s Evan Jager, the 2016 Olympic gold and silver medalists, fought fiercely for the runner-up spot. Both men were given the same time of 8:11.71, but Kipruto was awarded second place by 2/1000ths of a second over Jager.
The 2019 edition of the Prefontaine will be held on June 28 and 29, meeting director Jordan said yesterday. The venue, however, has not yet been set. The new stadium will not be ready until at least the 2020 track season.
PHOTO: Shelby Houlihan winning the women’s 1500m at the 2018 Prefontaine Classic at historic Hayward Field at the University of Oregon in Eugene (photo by David Monti for Race Results Weekly).
ENDS
Sponsored by SALMINI FILMS / BURNS COMPUTER SERVICES
We got the news from longtime Tommy Leonard friend and benefactor Russ Pelletier of Falmouth that running’s “Goodwill Ambassador” Tommy Leonard took his last breath on Wednesday night.
Not enough words available to illustrate what a prince of a man and worldly friend to the running community (especially during his days tending the sticks at the Eliot Lounge runner’s watering hole( that Tommy was…but we’ll try in the next issue of New England Runner.
With permission, Toni Reavis has alllowed us to reprint a quick remembrance from his running blog below.
(Photo: Tommy Leonard with Bob Hodge in Falmouth’s Liam Maguire’s following the (2013-2014?) NER Pub Series stop at Liam Maguire’s Almost 5-Miler. Photo by FitzFoto/NERunner)
Tommy Leonard
by Toni Reavis
The great Tommy Leonard passed from our midst yesterday at home in Falmouth, Massachusetts at age 85. The beloved founder of the Falmouth Road Race and long-time bartender at Boston’s legendary Eliot Lounge, Tommy was the patron saint of running to thousands of people around the globe.
Tommy’s dear friend Russ Pelletier sent the following note last night.
“Just want to let you know that he never lost his sense of humor. I was with him yesterday afternoon. It was obvious that he was at the end of the line.
Around the bed were three women on the JML staff and myself. He was having difficulty breathing and couldn’t speak. But we knew he could hear us.
So I told him, “Tommy, no matter what the situation, you always have young ladies taking care of you”.
I couldn’t hear his reply, but the nurse closest to him did. I asked, “What did he say?”. She looked at me and said, “I have the best seat in the house”.
He went out on his own terms.”
*
Thanks to Russ for bringing one last Tommy-made smile to our faces.
We loved him dearly not just for our shared love of running, but for his selflessness and generosity of spirit. TL’s contributions were incalculable, and not just to the running community.
He and fellow Back Bay barkeep at the Bull & Finch Pub (the Cheers bar on TV) Eddie Doyle raised funds for causes far and wide through the years. And though he had grown up in an orphanage, Tommy created a world-wide family with his impish Irish charm and full-out embracing laugh. Today, we mourn his passing from a world where such character and traits seem increasingly anachronistic.
Now TL is off on his next great adventure beyond the powder-puff clouds and twinkling Vineyard Sound to make God laugh, angels, weep, and more people than we can possibly count happy in heaven.
Bless you, Tommy Leonard, your light will continue to shine through to show us the way.
“With Tommy Leonard tending taps,
The guru in his lair,
Every runner’s true best friend,
With a heart big enough to share.”