Marathon/Running News: 6/22/08 - 6/29/08

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News From: Sunday, June 29, 2008
	Marathon des Sables
		Human Interest Story
		Saharan target for marathon man (Bucks Free Press) Neil Thubron is preparing for the Marathon des Sables, a six-day race across the Sahara desert over a one hundred fifty-two mile course while carrying a 10kg pack of food and sleeping equipment. Although Thubron's current weekly mileage is at sixty miles; he will eventually be running 100 weekly miles, as well as taking part in an 85-mile race from Hertfordshire to Wiltshire.
	Odds And Ends
		Human Interest Story
		Wardian makes run at treadmill records (The Washington Times) Two-time Olympic marathon trials competitor Michael Wardian will attempt to snatch back his world record "fastest treadmill marathon" as well as break the "fastest 50K on a treadmill." The thirty-four-year-old ultramarathoner from Arlington has won the USA 50K and 100K National Championships this year, in addition to at least a dozen marathons and shorter races in and out of the D.C. area. The times to beat are: marathon 2:21:40, set June 24, 2006 by fellow American Eric Blake and 50K 3:10:19 set Dec. 10, 2005, by a Norwegian.
	Olympics 2008 (Men)
		Pre-Race Review/ Lineup
		Lee Troop pours the heat on (Herald Sun) To prepare for the brutal heat of the 2008 Beijing Games, Australian Olympic team member Lee Troop has been has based himself at the University of Ballarat which has a heat chamber training facility capable of simulating 30C-plus temperatures and 80 per cent humidity. There is no way to prepare for the pollution, but Troop's coach, four-time Olympian Steve Moneghetti, says too much has been made of China's pollution levels.
		Beijing or bust for Ramaala (The Times) At thirty-six Olympic veteran Hendrick Ramaala boasts a resume including a victory at the New York City Marathon, seven-out-of-seven top-10 finishes in London and twice runner-up at the world half- marathon championships; but no medal at the Olympic Games. As part of his Olympic build-up Ramaala intends to train in Albuquerque and compete in two half-marathons next month, the South African championships and the New York Half Marathon. SAs Olympic marathon team will be named on July 10, but it is likely that it will include only Ramaala and debutant Norman Dlomo.
	Safaricom Marathon
		Post-Race Review/ Results
		Mt Elgon runner bags Lewa race crown (Nationmedia.com) Benson Kaptikou won the Safaricom Lewa Conservancy Marathon in 2:21:39 outkicking leader Joseph Ouko at the 35K mark for his first marathon victory. Emah Muthoni defied the heat and wind to win the race in 2:45:10. Hellen Chemonges finished second, close to twenty minutes after Muthoni in 3:02:16.
	SEAFAIR Marathon
		Human Interest Story
		Hundreds of Seattle Marathon runners miss bus to starting line (Seattlepi.com) Almost four hundred runners missed shuttle buses to the starting line and didn't start the race. Upon realizing there was a problem, race organizers delayed the start by only fifteen minutes due to the course route over a major bridge. Possible causes for the incident could be that family and friends were allowed to board the early buses and that more people than expected arrived for later buses and the final 6:45 a.m. shuttle. Although some of the stranded the option of running a 13.1-mile half marathon and transported some of them to that start, it's not clear what will be done for the runners who missed the last bus.
		Post-Race Review/ Results
		Kenyans finish first, second in Seafair Marathon (Seattle Times) Kenyan Edward Kiptum edged out his fellow countryman and training partner Bethuel Cheruiyot by thirty-three seconds to win his second career marathon at the Seafair Marathon in 2:20:28. In the women's race Wendy Terris finished in 2:50:55 followed by runner-up, Claudia Colita, trailing a minute behind.
News From: Saturday, June 28, 2008
	Odds And Ends
		Human Interest Story
		Solo marathon marks unique way of celebrating 40th birthday (Ithaca Journal) Wylie Breckenridge celebrated his fortieth birthday by taking to the Ithaca High School track early Tuesday morning and running 106 laps in 3:50 to complete his twentieth marathon. Friends ran one hundred forty laps with Breckenridge, who previously agree to donate one dollar to a to-be-determined charity for each lap completed. The charity of choice will be selected by the friend who ran the most laps.
News From: Friday, June 27, 2008
	Chicago Marathon
		Human Interest Story
		Strides for life Marathon trainees reap more than health benefits (Clarion Ledger) Marathon Makeover, now in its fifth year, began in 2004 when a friend of local family counselor Mark Simpson took over twenty couch potatoes and turned them into marathon runners participating in the Chicago Marathon. This year 450 participants have their sights set on the Chicago Marathon. Many participate to promote weight loss, to better health conditions and to enjoy the outdoors.
	Milo Marathon
		Human Interest Story
		4,000 runners expected in Milo Marathon (Visayan Daily Star) Local organizers of the 2008 Milo Marathon Bacolod leg are expecting around four thousand runners from Negros Occidental and other neighboring provinces. Along with the marathon there will be 3K, 5K and 21K races. Top three male and female finishers in the centerpiece 21K event will qualify for the 42K national finals slated later this year in Manila.
News From: Thursday, June 26, 2008
	Hastings Marathon
		Pre-Race Review/ Lineup
		Hastings Marathon entries reach 1,000 (Rye and Battle Observer) Entries for the Hastings 100th Anniversary Marathon have nearly topped one thousand for the marathon event which is nearly double the race organizer's expectations who will cap registration at two thousand. The event will commemorate the 100th anniversary of the 1908 Hastings Marathon which attracted fifty-one competitors, including a number of Olympic athletes.
	Honolulu Marathon
		Post-Race Review/ Results
		Tolosa Claims Innocence (Race Results Weekly) Disqualified 2007 Honolulu Marathon winner, Ambesse Tolossa has been stripped of his title after testing positive for morphine in his 'A' and "B' samples taken post-race. Despite claims of innocence, Tolossa, a high profile elite runner who has participated for the Ethiopian team at the Olympics and World Championships, has been banned by the Ethiopian Athletics Federation (EAF) for two years through Feb. 4, 2010.
	Kroll's Diner North Dakota Roughrider Marathon
		Pre-Race Review/ Lineup
		N.D. Roughrider Marathon Sept. 20 (Jamestown Sun) The Krolls Diner N.D. Roughrider Marathon with its marathon, half marathon and marathon relay is on target for its September event date. The deadline to register is September 10.
	Martian Marathon
		Human Interest Story
		Copley Mother Runs to First Place in Marathon (Akron Ohio News) Michele Sollenberger completed the Chicago Marathon swearing it would be her last, but found herself qualifying for the Boston Marathon. About two years later, Sollenberger is the humble first-place female winner of her fifth marathon, the Martian Marathon. Now, she is hooked and looking into triathlons as well.
	Odds And Ends
		Non-Marathon/ Other Running
		Heat may be a trial at weekend events in Eugene (The Register Guard) The U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials will see temperatures climb into the mid nineties for the weekend's events. While summer-like conditions are part of the job description for world-class track and field athletes, those scheduled to be on the field all day over the weekend, such as decathletes, will face the greatest challenge staying in top form. Trials organizers anticipated the warmer conditions and scheduled distance events, which require cooler temperatures, for early mornings and late evenings.
	The San Francisco Marathon
		Human Interest Story
		Team Engeye Is Running the San Francisco Marathon (PR Log) Team Engeye is running in the San Francisco Marathon on Sunday, August 3, 2008, to raise funds for the clinic in Uganda. Cause to Run (C2R), a fundraising program associated with the San Francisco Marathon, has selected 18 teams this year to raise funds for charitable causes, including Team Engeye. In comparison to other programs available, there is no cost to participate, and no minimum fundraising requirements, making it easy for participants to raise money and encourage participation.
News From: Wednesday, June 25, 2008
	Athens Marathon (Greece)
		Human Interest Story
		AIMS Marathon Symposium 2008 (IAAF) The Athens Classic Marathon which boasts the original marathon course will be host to the second annual AIMS Marathon Symposium. The theme of this years event is Adding Value To Your Marathon. The aim of the symposium is to encourage close cooperation and exchange of views on issues of mutual interest, and relate the organization of a successful marathon to World Peace, Olympic Ideals and Fair Play.
	Boston Marathon
		Human Interest Story
		Waite tackles Boston Marathon (East Arizona Courier) Natalie Waite ran the 2008 Boston Marathon and was pleased by the support from the spectators along the course and her family who was there to support her every step of the way. Waite finished in a 3:28.55.
	Honolulu Marathon
		Post-Race Review/ Results
		Honolulu Marathon winner disqualified (Honolulu Advertiser) Ethiopian runner Ambesse Tolossa, winner of the 2006 and 2007 Honolulu Marathon, has been disqualified as the 2007 Honolulu Marathon men's champion and will serve a two-year international ban on racing after his 'A' sample tested positive for morphine. Runner-up Jimmy Muindi was awarded the title, making him the first man to win the Honolulu Marathon six times. This is the second consecutive year in which the IAAF has banned a reigning Honolulu Marathon winner from competition. Lyubov Denisova, the 2006 Honolulu Marathon women's champion, is serving a two-year suspension for testing positive for elevated testosterone levels.
	Lake Tahoe Marathon
		Pre-Race Review/ Lineup
		Lake Tahoe Marathon Offers 5K, 10K and 20-Mile Walk and Run (Yuba.net) With a weekend of running events, the Lake Tahoe Marathon weekend has something for everyone. Those new to running and walking or for participants that enjoy shorter distances can now register for the Lake Tahoe Marathon's 5K, 10K or the event's popular, non-competitive 20-Miler Run, Power Walk and Jog.
	Newport Marathon
		Post-Race Review/ Results
		Snoqualmie man who fell short in Olympic trials wins marathon (PNW Local News) Sean Sundwall, whose efforts to make the 2008 U.S. Olympic running team last November blew away the competition at the 2008 Newport Marathon winning in a 2:22:47 and breaking the old course record by approximately four minutes. His closest competitor, Billy Bonkus who trailed twenty minutes behind. This was Sundwall's first marathon victory and will give him confidence for his next race - he U.S. Marathon Championships, being held in Minneapolis this October.
	Odds And Ends
		Non-Marathon/ Other Running
		Industry Veterans Acquire Finnish Running Brand, KARHU (PR Newswire) Athletic footwear and apparel executives, Huub Valkenburg and Jay Duke, today announced the purchase of the legendary Finnish running brand, KARHU. KARHU shoes have been worn on the feet on some of the greatest Finnish runners, including Boston Marathon champion Olavi Suomalainen, and Paavo Nurmi, giving rise to the Flying Finns. Valkenburg and Duke, majority owners of KARHU Holding B.V., bring unique global experience in business turnarounds and new business development from major brands such as Reebok International and Nike/Converse Inc.
		Baldini, Ndereba and Kiplagat head line-up for British 10k (IAAF) Olympic Marathon champion Stefano Baldini, womens World Marathon champion Catherine Ndereba and the reigning double World Road Running champion and World record holder for 20km and Half Marathon Lornah Kiplagat will be participating in the London 10K. The Asics British 10k London Run is run over much of the proposed London 2012 Olympic Marathon course.
News From: Tuesday, June 24, 2008
	Boston Marathon
		Human Interest Story
		Surplus Boston Marathon T-shirts put to good use (MetroWest Daily News) A decades worth of unsold Boston Marathon T-shirts has been sent to Chris Cheboiboch, an elite marathoner who has visited Hopkinton's Elmwood Elementary School with fellow Kenyan runners in years past. The shirts will be distributed to a new elementary school in Iten, Kenya. Other shirts were sent to Christian relief agency World Vision for distribution to poor people across the globe. A third and final shipment went to Marathon, Greece, which is Hopkinton's sister city and provided a ceremonial flame before this year's race.
	Grandma's Marathon
		Post-Race Review/ Results
		Prentice, Ruffini pace area finishers at Grandma's Marathon (Stillwater Gazette) Tom Prentice of Lake Elmo and Krista Ruffini of Stillwater were the top area finishers at Saturday's 32nd Annual Grandma's Marathon. Prentice, at forty-eight, completed the marathon in 2:59:05 finishing 108th overall. Ruffini was the 54th female with a finish of 3:27:04.
	Houston Marathon
		Human Interest Story
		Local marathoner beats cancer not once, but three times (Houston Community Newspaper) At fifty-three, Sharon Maguire had a difficult past ten years, but discovered a passion for running in the interim. Following a fight with breast cancer in 2002, Maguire ran the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure which inspired her to run the Houston Marathonm, then the Austin Marathon with hopes of qualifying for Boston. Maguire was soon diagnosed with bone marrow cancer that was unrelated to her prior breast cancer episode and while getting treated she was diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia - a blood cancer. Six months after a stem cell transplant donated by her brother, Maguire plans to get in shape in time for the 2009 Houston Marathon.
	Odds And Ends
		Post-Race Review/ Results
		Moswasi, Rancholo retain Bosele Marathon titles (Botswana Daily News Archives) Keineetse Moswasi and Keamogetse Rancholo have successfully defended their titles at the 2008 Bosele Marathon in Botswana. Moswasi won the race in 2:21:52. In the women's race Rancholo edged out Tina Mekgwe by under ten seconds to win in 3:22:43.
		Human Interest Story
		Bosele Marathon receives IAAF accreditation (Mmegi Online) In it's twenty third year, Botswana's Bosele National Marathon has been accredited by the International Athletics Association Federation (IAAF). Race organizers look forward to attracting international runners to their race. Although the country favors football, many see distance running growing in popularity.
News From: Monday, June 23, 2008
	Grandma's Marathon
		Post-Race Review/ Results
		Akor's second victory in 48 days was 'fun' run (Minneapolis Star Tribune) Two-time champion of the 2008 Grandma's Marathon, Mary Akor won the race in 2:38:50. This was her second marathon win following the Vancouver Marathon forty-eight days ago. She completed seventeen in 2005 and 2006 alone. But, preparing for Boston, she decided to change her training approach. Instead of using marathons as training runs -- she doesn't always run her hardest, she had limited her miles in the months before the 2008 Biejing Olympics U.S. Women's Marathon Team trials.
		Grandma's Marathon: Fittingly, the winner wore No. 6 (Minnesota Star Tribune) Lamech Mokono did not realize the significance of the bib number he was wearing when he won the 2008 Grandma's Marathon. The same number was worn by fellow Kenyan and training partner Wesly Ngetich, the defending champion of the race who was slain in Kenya earlier this year. Mokono ran a 2:13:39, David Tuwei was runner-up with a 2:13:44.