Serrano, Kastor Claim Dodge Rock 'n' Roll Los Angeles Half Marathon Titles

Linda Somers Smith sets pending 50+ world record; Bret Michaels rocks finish line concert at L.A. LIVE; at second edition, celebs, costumes turnout for Halloween weekend event benefiting the ASPCA

By: Mario Fraioli, Competitor Group

LOS ANGELES - (October 30, 2011) - Amidst an array of colorful costumes and television personalities, 10,000 entrants from across the country lined up at L.A. LIVE for the start of the second Dodge Rock 'n' Roll Los Angeles Half Marathon benefiting the ASPCA on Sunday morning, but in the end it was a couple of Californians who were the first runners to cross the finish line. Employing a gritty surge just past the 13-mile mark in the heart of downtown, 27-year-old Charlie Serrano of Chico broke the tape in 1 hour, 4 minutes and 20 seconds - five seconds ahead of runner-up Benson Cheruiyot - to claim victory.

"I almost threw in the towel," Serrano said after the race. "I was making moves on (Cheruiyot) and he was making moves on me. He wasn't breaking me, but I wasn't breaking him and I was getting really uncomfortable. I heard the lead bike lady say something like 'yeah, they're neck-and-neck with 100 meters to go' and I just changed gears and he didn't come with me and I was like 'if I don't die I have it."

In the women's race, 2004 Olympic Marathon bronze medalist and U.S. half-marathon record holder Deena Kastor dominated from the get-go to win in 1:11:48. It was her second Rock 'n' Roll series victory this month as the Mammoth-based Kastor also won the Dodge Rock 'n' Roll San Jose Half Marathon on Oct. 2 in 1:12:23.

"I was hoping to run about a minute faster here today but I'm really happy with the effort considering the hills on the second half of this course," Kastor said afterward. "It was really awesome to go out and back in two separate locations because you got to see the masses in two different parts of the course which is really great to get that encouragement along the way."

Finishing second to Kastor in 1:15:18 was Linda Somers Smith, who won last year's inaugural race here. The 50-year-old from Arroyo Grande set a pending age group world record with her time on Sunday morning, a performance that bodes well as the Masters marvel prepares for her fifth Olympic Marathon Trials in Houston on January 14 of next year.

"It's really good," Somers Smith said of her finish. "I'm just trying to be really cautious so I can get (to the Trials) not injured. I really liked the course. It makes you go out a little too fast because it's so flat the first half and then it gets a little tough, and it's not very tough - just a little tough - but if I hadn't gone out too fast it would have been perfect. I'm happy."

The men's race got off to a swift start as a pack of eight cruised through the first 2 miles in 4:47 and 4:49, respectively. For much of the race Serrano and Cheruiyot were joined by U.S. 50K record holder Josh Cox, sub-4:00 miler Christian Hesch of Hollywood, Robert Cheseret of Colorado Springs and Tommy Greenless of Walnut Creek, Calif., who all took turns sharing the lead as the course turned from flat to undulating over the final 7 miles. The pace, too, proved to be just as uneven and erratic as the layout itself.

"One minute we'd be going 5:15 pace, then a few minutes later we'd be running 4:40 pace," Cox commented after the race.

Coming through 5 miles in 24:42 the lead pack was down to six, and over the next four miles that group slowly separated until Serrano, Cheruiyot, Cheseret and Hesch were the only runners remaining. Serrano threw in a significant surge with four miles to go, breaking everyone except the smooth-striding Cheruiyot of Kenya. The duo, who passed 10 miles in 49:44, ran side-by-side all the way into downtown before Serrano tightened the final screw with less than a quarter mile to go.

"The plan going into it was to conserve as much as possible and maybe turn what's normally a 13-mile race into maybe a 4-mile race toward the end," Serrano said. "Coming in I didn't really want to run this fast but with money on the line I've got to do what it takes to win."

Kastor's road to the finish line was less contested as the 38-year-old was clear of the rest of the women's field by the 2-mile mark, which she reached in 10:47. She came through 5 miles uncontested in 27:01, and passed 10 miles in 54:53. A final 5K of 16:55 brought her to L.A. Live amongst the cheers of thousands of fans.

"It was a lot of fun," Kastor said of her L.A. experience.

The Bachelorette's Ashley Hebert completed the half-marathon with a time of 2:08:29, while Maria Menounos (Extra), Melissa Rycroft (Dancing with the Stars), Vanessa & Angela Simmons (MTV's Run's House), all participated in the 3.5-mile mini-marathon.

2nd Dodge Rock 'n' Roll Los Angeles 1/2 Marathon
Los Angeles, CA, Sunday, October 30, 2011

MEN
1) Charlie Serrano, 27, Chico, CA, 1:04:20, $1000
2) Benson Cheruiyot, 28, Kenya, 1:04:25, $500
3) Robert Cheseret, 28, Colorado Springs, CO, 1:05:31, $250
4) Christian Hesch, 32, Hollywood, CA, 1:05:58, $1000#
5) Josh Cox, 36, Mammoth Lakes, CA, 1:06:05

WOMEN
1) Deena Kastor, 38, Mammoth Lakes, CA, 1:11:48, $1000
2) Linda Somers Smith, 50, Arroyo Grande, CA, 1:15:18*, $500
3) Cheryl Smith, 31, Laguna Beach, CA, 1:17:13, $1250#
4) Mary Akor, 35, Hawthorne, CA, 1:18:25, $500#
5) Erika Aklufi, 35, Los Angeles, CA, 1:20:41, $250#
*pending World Record F50-54 Age Group (previous record, 1:16:07, Tatiana Pozdniakova (UKR), More Half-Marathon, New York, NY, 03/26/06)
#Includes Southern California-only prize money

Complete results, photos and more at: www.competitor.com

this article Courtesy of Running USA wire

Iraq/Afghanistan Remembrance Run 2011

Following the successful Amica Insurance Seattle Marathon Baghdad Shadow Run, which took place in Baghdad, Iraq in November 2009, the Seattle Marathon Association is teaming up with MAJ Mike Moore, SSG Rick Walters and the Soldiers from Joint Base Lewis McChord (JBLM) once again. This year, the Seattle Marathon Association and Amica Insurance will sponsor Soldiers from the First Corps, America’s Corps, from JBLM as they organize a team to run in the Seattle Marathon 5K Race: presented by South Sound Running on November 26th and the Amica Insurance Seattle Marathon on November 27th as an Iraq/Afghanistan Remembrance Run in honor of those who died or were wounded in combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. ....read more here!

look for them on facebook here:
https://www.facebook.com/RunforRemembrance

2011 Bank of America Chicago Marathon

Sights and sounds from the 2011 Bank of America Chicago Marathon

Goodlife Fitness Victoria Marathon 2011

Finish line view of the Goodlife Fitness Victoria Marathon Oct. 9, 2011

Chicago Marathon - 2011

Record-setting finish for Chicago Marathon

Moses Mosop set a course record in winning the Bank of America Chicago Marathon in 2 hours, 5 minutes, 37 seconds.

Siemers Smashes State Record at Sports Authority Rock 'n' Roll Denver Marathon

Utrata wins women's marathon; Eberly, Simon half-marathon champions; more than 15,000 entrants and nearly $390,000 raised for 11 different charity organizations at second edition in Mile High City


By: Amana Miyamae, Competitor Group


DENVER - (October 9, 2011) - A brisk, fall morning transformed into a thrilling afternoon at the 2nd Sports Authority Rock 'n' Roll Denver Marathon & ½ Marathon, where a new state record was set on Sunday. More than 15,000 entrants lined up in downtown Denver, touring the city's beautiful parks under perfect running conditions before a finish under sunny skies in Civic Center Park.

As the clock ticked toward 2:19:32, the state marathon record held by Juan Salvador of Mexico since 1993, excitement began to build in the crowds lining the finish line. 30-year-old Chris Siemers of Arvada, Colo. appeared in the final stretch, finishing to roaring applause in 2 hours, 18 minutes, 48 seconds, a new state record. Siemers was followed by Andrew Smith of Denver, Jonathan Ndambuki of Kenya and U.S. 50K record holder Josh Cox, who placed fourth.

Having achieved his main goal of qualifying for the U.S. Olympic Trials, the state record was an emotional achievement for Siemers, who grew up in Chicago but lives and trains in Colorado, calling it "the best state for running."

"I wanted to do it here," he said, referring to his qualifying time. "I love Colorado and I used to watch guys like Alan Culpepper run here and it motivated me," he said. "Mentally, this is huge for me. I wanted to prove it to myself and I have."

Utrata wins women's marathon; Eberly, Simon half-marathon champions; more than 15,000 entrants and nearly $390,000 raised for 11 different charity organizations at second edition in Mile High City

By: Amana Miyamae, Competitor Group

Abdosh, Cherobon-Bawcom Win B.A.A. Half Marathon

Race record field runs along Boston's Emerald Necklace Park System; more than $300,000 raised for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute at 11th edition


 
BOSTON - (October 9, 2011) - Clear skies and a starting time temperature of 67 degrees greeted an event record 5,253 runners at the 11th B.A.A. Half Marathon presented by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund. For the second consecutive year, the race started in Franklin Park, and took runners out and back along the Emerald Necklace Park System through Brookline and Boston. Ethiopian Ali Abdosh and Janet Cherobon-Bawcom from Rome, Georgia took the titles in 1 hour, 3 minutes, 36 seconds and 1:11:58, though their respective races unfolded under opposing circumstances.

Bob Dolphin Winthrop Marathon Race Report

WINTHROP MARATHON
September 25, 2011

Lenore and I had such a good time at the inaugural Winthrop Marathon at Winthrop, Washington, last year that we signed up again.  This year it was on Sunday, September 25, 2011, two weeks after the Skagit Flats Marathon and two weeks before the Victoria Marathon, so it fit nicely into our schedule.

Last year our friends, Hal and Patty Porter from Manson, WA, on Lake Chelan joined us at Winthrop for the marathon and were our hosts after the event.  This continued an enjoyable tradition during the nine years that I ran the Shore to Shore Lake Chelan Marathon (2001-2009).  We left Yakima on Friday, September 23, 2011, and drove to the Porter home.  The next day we saw many deer in the fields on our trip from Manson to Winthrop.  We checked in at the Winthrop Inn before going to a community center at nearby Mazama for packet pickup, a carbo-loading dinner and socializing with running friends.  It was good to see race director James Varner, Sharon and Larry Carroll, Bill Voilland and Jeff Pettett (from Phoenix, AZ).

Bob Dolphin Skagit Flats Marathon Race Report

SKAGIT FLATS MARATHON
September 11, 2011

The 34th Skagit Flats Marathon was held on Sunday, September 11, 2011, at Burlington, Washington.  I first ran this marathon in 1990 with a time of 3:05:16, and I’ve run it 19 times to date.  To his credit, Stan Nakashima has run them all!








In the early years the marathon followed a loop course, but in recent times it was changed to an out-and-back.  Both routes are primarily in the flat, agricultural land west of Burlington that is know as Skagit Flats (in Skagit County and near the Skagit River).

On the day before the marathon and concurrent half marathon Lenore and I went to the race headquarters at the Hampton Inn in Burlington to get my bib, packet and T-shirt.  Because the races were held on September 11, 2011, the tenth anniversary of the “911” terrorist attacks on our country, the shirt reflected this day of remembrance.  The red and white design was printed on a blue technical shirt.  Stars, stripes, a Bald Eagle and two white running figures constituted a patriotic design.

Race director Terry Sentinella had given me permission to take an “early, early start”, so the next morning I was at the starting line on Victoria Street adjacent to Burlington-Edison High School at 5:00 a.m. to start my timing watch.

It was dark, but the first mile and a half had streetlights at the sidewalks.  As I was leaving the suburban housing area on Peterson Road, Terry and volunteer Bill Barmore stopped their vehicle as they were checking the course.  We exchanged pleasantries, and I walked on. 

After the last streetlight I came to Pulver Road and turned right onto it.  It was really dark, but moonlight from the full moon helped!  To be seen by traffic, I wore a reflective vest and waved a bright flashlight as the few cars slowed and avoided me.  As the moon set in the west, it became orange in color in the early daylight.  The sun, also, was orange-colored as it rose in the east.  Mile markers and unmanned aid stations were in place, so this helped with my orientation.

A flock of Canada Geese flew overhead, and smaller birds were common in the fields and along the roadsides.  In the 10th mile I came across a manned aid station and appreciated the help from the friendly volunteers.  In my 11th mile friends who took the “early start” began to pass by.  The first one was Stan Nakashima, followed by Yau-Ming Chien, Jon Nevitt, Diana Robinson and Monte Pascual.

This was marathon #200 for Monte, and Lenore was at the finish line to give him a hug and to present him with a 100 Marathon Club North America T-shirt and “200” pin.  We later learned that this was marathon #100 for Jon!

In the 12th mile the regular starters began to pass.  The first one was the winner, Jesse Stevick, 29, of Olympia.  His finishing time was 2:34:27.  In second place was Miguel Galeana, 37, of Gig Harbor who ran a 2:45:14.  David Gibbon, 49, of Vancouver, BC, ran a 2:46:48 for third place.

The winner of the women’s race was Rochelle Long, 40, of Everett with a time of 3:14:32.  Second place went to Tina-Louise Harris, 43, of Coquitlam, BC, with a 3:23:47.  In third place was Jenny Stevick, (wife of the overall winner), 28, of Olympia with a 3:28:43.

In the second half of the marathon I was able to greet runners going in the opposite direction.  This always is a pleasurable experience as I see many friends and acquaintances every year at this marathon.  By this time the temperature had risen from 53 degrees at my start to about 84 degrees.  I drank more water and poured some on my head……and concentrated on maintaining my pace.  I had been on a sub 8-hour pace as my goal, but again it would be close. 

When I reached the school grounds in the last quarter mile, I walked to the track and crossed the finish line in 7:55:50, last of 300 marathoners.  As usual these days, at age 81 I was the oldest one in the race. Twenty-one years ago at age 60 I ran this marathon in 3:05:16, less than half the time it took me to walk it this year.  Goals change over the years, and I’m grateful that I could walk this marathon at an average 18.09/mile pace to finish Marathon #491.

Written by Bob Dolphin
Edited, Typed and Distributed by Lenore Dolphin

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *


PARTIAL RESULTS – SKAGIT FLATS MARATHON, September 11, 2011

2:34:27  Jesse Stevick, 29, Olympia, OVERALL WINNER, First In Age Group
2:45:14  Miguel Galeana, 37, Gig Harbor, SECOND OVERALL, 1st
2:46:48  David Gibbon, 44, Vancouver, BC, THIRD OVERALL, 1st
2:58:54  Cliff Richards, 50, Maple Valley, Marathon Maniac (MM), 1st
3:14:32  Rochelle Long, 40, Everett, FIRST WOMAN OVERALL, 1st
3:23:47  Tina-Louise Harris, 43, Coquitlam, BC, SECOND WOMAN OVERALL, 2nd
3:28:43  Jenny Stevick, 28, Olympia,THIRD WOMAN OVERALL, 1s
3:30:33  Robert Lopez, 45, Seattle, MM
3:32:19  Chris Warren, 44, Renton, MM
3:42:10  Bill Iffrig, 77, Lake Stevens, 1st
3:42:38  Brian Pendleton, 45, Auburn, MM
3:51:51  Lorelei Sadowski, 48, Port Coquitlam, BC, MM
3:55:14  Michael Wakabayashi, 63, Spokane
4:01:37  Sherry Mahoney, 47, Palm Desert, CA, MM   
4:01:38  Jon Mahoney, 59, Palm Desert, CA, MM       
4:02:10  Michael Shiach, 60, Bainbridge Island, MM   
4:04:26  Bob O’Brien, 69, Mt. Vernon           
4:16:05  Craig Romano, 50, Mt. Vernon           
4:28:16  Robert Stretz, 43, Issaquah, MM           
4:42:45  Max Welker, 69, Tacoma               
4:43:13  Unha Lee, 61, Olympia                       
4:43:29  Janice Moyer, 55, Wellpinit               
4:45:41  Cheri Pompeo, 59, Woodinville,MM
5:23:00  Stan Nakashima, 59, Mt. Vernon
5:44:57  Cyndie Merten, 55, Corvallis, OR, MM
5:55:10  Herb Allen, 69, Bainbridge Island
6:13:30  Monte Pascual, 51, Federal Way, MM
6:13:30  Diana Robinson, 44, Bellingham, MM
6:18:00  Yau-Ming Chien, 68, Bellevue
6:25:31  Jon Nevitt, 72, Burlington
7:55:50  Bob Dolphin, 81, Renton/Yakima, MM

Bob Dolphin Labor Day Marathon Race Report

LABOR DAY MARATHON
September 5, 2011

My program toward my 500th marathon had slowed during August when I ran only one marathon. To
get back on track, we added the Labor Day Marathon on Monday, September 5, 2011. Lenore signed
me up and received permission from race director Bob Green for me to take an early start. I had a
cortisone shot for my degenerative disc disease problem, but I would still be walking the marathon with
hopes of finishing in less than eight hours.

(c) ontherunevents.com

We drove to Elma where the race was held and checked in at the fairly new Microtel Inn. Then we
drove the course to make sure I remembered it correctly. I had run this double out-and-back several
times under the name of Gateway to the Pacific Marathon. The last time was seven years ago, so I
needed to make this familiarization drive.

We located the start/finish area in Vance Creek Park, drove two miles to cross the Chehalis River
Bridge, made a left turn onto South Bank Road, and drove south on a two-lane paved road to a large
conspicuous Briggs Nursery sign that was used as the turn-back marker. This was the way I had
remembered it!

The next morning I returned to the park, started my timing watch at 6:00 a.m. and began my marathon
walk. It was barely light at that time with the temperature in the 50’s, clear skies and a high fog cloud
cover. The course is flat with some easy grades and smooth pavement so it made for easy walking. It’s
in a pleasant rural area with attractive farms where there are some crops and hay for the herds of cattle
and horses in the pastures. While most of the land has been cleared, there are Douglas Fir forests in
some areas.

When I came around a curve, the nursery sign was in view. I stopped there just short of two hours, so
I was on schedule for an eight-hour marathon walk. I retrieved a water bottle that I’d stashed there the
day before to assist with my hydration efforts. As I began the return on my second leg, I met my friend
Marathon Maniac (MM) Monte Pascual, a new member of the 100 Marathon Club North America. It
took him only three years to run his first 100 marathons, and he was on schedule to run #200 the next
Sunday at the Skagit Flats Marathon in Burlington in less than six years!

A few miles later I met MM’s Diana “Slug” Robinson , Brian Pendleton and Robert Stretz . It was good

triathletes who had done a swim in the lake at Vance Creek Park before starting this portion of their
triathlon. This was another event directed by Bob Green.

After five hours into my walk, the sky cleared, it became sunny, and the air temperature crept up to the
low 80’s. At the nursery sign I turned back for the last leg of 6.55 miles, and I appreciated the cooling
breeze that appeared.

In the final miles I pushed my pace as much as I could to see if I could finish under eight hours. When
I entered the park, I knew that it would be close, and it was. I crossed the bridge over Vance Creek to
the finish area, and my watch showed my finishing time to be 7:49:30. Lenore, her Central Washington
University classmate Harold Mazanti and his friend Joan were there to greet me.

It had been a good day for marathon #490, and I think the cortisone shot helped!

Written by Bob Dolphin
Edited, Typed and Distributed by Lenore Dolphin


RACE RESULTS – LABOR DAY MARATHON, September 5, 2011

3:35:02 Myk Rose, 25, Monmouth, OR
3:36:46 Jodi Irey, 40, Kent
3:44:12 Courtney Smith, 32, Seattle
3:46:22 Timothy Martin, 51, Olympia
4:12:14 Claudia Hansen, 41, Lakewood, MM
4:14:35 Tom McBride, 44, Olympia
4:38:38 Brian Pendleton, 45, Auburn, MM
4:42:42 Roger Adams, 52, Portland, OR, MM
4:43:13 Audrey Petterson, 46, Skamokawa
5:29:12 Monte Pascual, 51, Federal Way, MM
5:50:56 Diana Robinson, 44, Bellingham, MM
5:50:43 Robert Stretz, 43, Issaquah, MM
7:49:30 Bob Dolphin, 81, Renton/Yakima, MM

Chicago joggers, bikers get an unwanted shower

A premature and bonechilling shower for some morning joggers and bikers in the U.S. Midwest. Some unlucky residents of Chicago -- known as the "Windy City" -- got a dousing from the frigid waters of Lake Michigan on Friday morning. Strong winds caused 15 to 20 foot waves to slam over a retaining wall onto the city's famed Lake Shore Drive. Weather forecasters have issued severe wind and flood warnings for the region. No injuries were reported. Deborah Lutterbeck, Reuters.