FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jean Knaack
Executive Director
(410) 290-3890
Road Runners Club of America Announces
2008 National Championship Events
Arlington, VA – The Road Runners Club of America is proud to announce the
following races have been selected as the 2008 RRCA National Championship
events by the National Championship Selection Committee chaired by former
Olympian, Don Kardong. Since 1958, the RRCA has awarded the National
Championship designation to deserving events to cast a national spotlight
on outstanding road races and to honor top runners in the open, masters,
and grand masters categories.
We congratulate the following races designated as the 2008 RRCA National
Championship Events.
RRCA NATIONAL MARATHON CHAMPIONSHIP - MARCH 2, 2008
Kaiser Permanente Napa Valley Marathon in Napa, California
The Kaiser Permanente Napa Valley Marathon boasts one of the most beautiful
courses in the world. The course runs the length of the famed Napa Valley
wine-growing region. It begins in Calistoga, famous for its geysers and
curative waters, and winds south along the historic Silverado Trail to
finish in Napa. Runners are treated to panoramic views of the valley,
flowering fruit trees, and dormant vineyards carpeted with golden mustard
flowers. For more information, visit http://www.napavalleymarathon.org.
RRCA NATIONAL 10 MILE CHAMPIONSHIP – APRIL 6, 2008
Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile in Washington, DC
The Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile race takes place on the opening
weekend of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, a two-week celebration of
sporting and cultural events that celebrates the blossoming of the fabled
trees donated to this country by Japan in the early 20th century. The
event is also part of the Professional Road Running Organization (PRRO)
Circuit On-line registration opens in mid-December and the event always
fills up quickly. For more information visit http://www.cherryblossom.org.
RRCA NATIONAL ULTRARUNNING CHAMPIONSHIP – JULY 19-20, 2008
Tahoe Rim Trail Endurance Runs in Lake Tahoe, Nevada
“A glimpse of heaven, a taste of hell”. This event is run in some of the
high elevation alpine and sub-alpine regions of the magnificent Sierra
Nevada Mountains. The race begins and ends at Spooner Lake State Park,
which is at 7,000 feet. The highest point on the course is just below the
9,214 foot Snow Valley Peak (which also provides one of the best views on
the course). The low point on the course is at the bottom of the now
"infamous" Red House Loop (A Taste of Hell) at approximately 6800 feet. The
race is hosted by the Tahoe Mountain Milers and the Sagebrush Stompers. For
more information visit http://www.tahoemtnmilers.org/trt50/index.html.
RRCA NATIONAL 5K CHAMPIONSHIP – MAY 3, 2008
The Flying Pig 5K in Cincinnati, Ohio
The fun run, which is open to runners and walkers, will start along Pete
Rose Way, head west around the Great American Ball park and Paul Brown
Stadium before turning back to end at the Marathon finish line. Area health
organizations and youth groups will also have booths at the festival with
information and demonstrations for parents and youngsters alike. For more
information visit http://www.flyingpigmarathon.com/race_information/schedule/5kevent.shtml
RRCA NATIONAL HALF MARATHON CHAMPIONSHIP - AUGUST 16, 2008
Parkersburg News & Sentinel Half Marathon in Parkersburg, West Virginia
The Parkersburg News and Sentinel Half Marathon, hosted by the River City
Runners Club, starts in downtown Parkersburg then the rolling course will
take you out of the city and into the scenic surroundings of West Virginia
before looping back into the commercial area. After running the last hill,
you will finish the race to the cheers of spectators lining Market Street
prior to the Parkersburg Homecoming Festival Parade. For more information
visit http://newsandsentinel.com/halfmarathon.
RRCA NATIONAL 10K CHAMPIONSHIP – NOVEMBER 1, 2008
Vulcan Run in Birmingham, Alabama
The Vulcan Run has been Birmingham’s prestigious 10K road race for 31
years. The event is the longest running road race in Birmingham’s history.
The 10K course starts by Boutwell Auditorium and winds through the very
flat part of downtown and heads out towards the rolling hills of historic
Birmingham to the finish line at Linn Park. For more information visit http://www.vulcanrun.com.
The RRCA may add additional National Championship events in other distances
at the discretion of the National Championship Selection Committee. For
information about RRCA Regional and State Championships or hosting an RRCA
Championship event, visit http://www.rrca.org/programs/championships.
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