Nickerson Wins Inaugural Tinker Bell Half Marathon at Disneyland Resort

By: Disney Sports

More than 17,000 runners take part in women-focused weekend of events centered on health, fitness and active lifestyles

video by the themarathonshow

Visit the Marathon Show here: http://www.themarathonshow.com/


ANAHEIM, Calif. - (January 29, 2012) - Kellie Nickerson - looking apropos in her fairy wings and green tutu - flew away from the field to capture the inaugural Tinker Bell Half Marathon at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim on Sunday morning .

Nickerson, who hails from Albuquerque, N.M., captured her first win at Disney in 1 hour, 27 minutes, 52 seconds, finishing ahead of Southern Californians Sharon Wilkinson of Winnetka (1:28:18) and Stacy Schafer from Carlsbad (1:28:54).

The Tinker Bell Half Marathon, hosted by the city of Anaheim and Disneyland Resort, led runners on a 13.1-mile trek through Disneyland and Disney California Adventure parks, as well as by several city of Anaheim landmarks. The first year event featured music, entertainment, Disney characters and costumed runners donning fairy wings and pixie dust. Finishers received a commemorative Tinker Bell "wings'' medal.

TV sitcom star Megyn Price (Rules of Engagement) and "Goonies", "Lord of the Rings" and "Rudy" movie star Sean Astin were among the 12,000-plus registered runners to take part in Sunday's 13.1 mile race.

The weekend of events, all geared toward health, fitness and active lifestyles for women, featured a variety of races including The Never Land 5K on Friday night, kids' races on Saturday and the Tinker Bell Half Marathon on Sunday.

There was also a health and fitness expo featuring the latest running merchandise, products, apparel and guest speakers - all tailored for women - creating a weekend of camaraderie and wellness, plus a pinch of Tinker Bell's trademark sassiness and sense of adventure.

Tinker Bell Half Marathon Weekend is the second women-focused event weekend in the runDisney series. Disney's Princess Half Marathon Weekend will take place at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida on Feb. 24 - 26. Both event weekends are among the largest women-specific events in the country.

Full results, photos and more at: www.runDisney.com

this article Courtesy of Running USA wire

 

Meet Olympic Marathon Team member Ryan Hall in Olympia WA

Olympia, WA. - (January 29, 2012) Club Oly Running and South Sound Running in cooperation with the Hands On Children’s Museum and Crime Stoppers & sponsored by Asics and ONtheRUNevents.com are proud to announce the 1st Annual Donut Dash!

The Donut Dash will take place in Olympia WA on March 3, 2012.

The race will be held at the New Children's Hands On Museum , 400 Jefferson Street NE Olympia WA near the corner of Olympia Ave N.E. & Jefferson St. N.E.  

 

They are also pleased to announce their special guest Ryan Hall! Ryan will be starting the kids race and be available for autographs after the races.

Ryan has posted the best ever American times in the Half Marathon and Marathon, represented the US in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, and most recently earned a spot on the US 2012 Olympic Games Team to be held in London.

Ryan Hall's Personal Bests

1500—3:42.70

5000m—13:16.03

10,000m—28:07.93

Half Marathon—59:43 (American Record)

Marathon—2:06:17

Visit Ryan Hall's blog here!

Look here for  Donut Dash registration and more information!

Snow day = Snow sale! 25% off all photos

snow day = snow sale! 25% off all photos here:

http://www.backprint.com/ontherunevents

use this code: snow2012 at check out.

Offer expires at mid night 1-19-2012 !

Pass the word...share with your friends!!

Video from the White Elephant 5 mile

Sights and Sounds from the 2012 White Elephant 5 mile run in Olympia WA.
See all race day photos here:
http://www.backprint.com/view_event.asp?pid=bp%1EsFq&eventid=97295

ING Miami Marathon, American Airlines Launch Race of the Americas Challenge

25,000 runners expected for 10th edition on Sunday, January 29

MIAMI - (January 11, 2012) - The ING Miami Marathon and Half-Marathon® is quickly gaining fame worldwide, particularly in Latin America and the Caribbean, with its International appeal leading to a surge in entries that will likely result in a field cap and sellout of 25,000 runners at this year's event set for Sunday, January 29.

At the 10th edition, nearly 20 percent of those runners will come from outside the United States, with more than 64 countries already represented among the early entrants.

Omae, Miller Win 2012 P.F. Chang's Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon

Wykes, Slattery take half-marathon titles; B-52s rock post-race show; event to benefit National MS Society

By: Amana Miyamae, Competitor Group

TEMPE, Ariz. - (January 15, 2012) - A soft cloud cover and cool temperatures graced the 9th P.F. Chang's Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon & ½ Marathon to benefit the National Multiple Sclerosis Society as more than 25,000 runners toured the neighboring cities of Phoenix, Scottsdale and Tempe on Sunday. The race debuted two brand new courses, with new start lines and a more scenic route.

In the men's full marathon race, Peter Omae reached the final straightaway and took one last look over his shoulder. He knew he had to wait another 75 meters before he could start celebrating.

Omae, a Kenyan living in Worcester, Mass., lifted his arms in triumph when he broke the tape in 2 hours, 24 minutes, 47 seconds - 11 seconds up on Chad Ware of Fort Huachuca, Arizona. For the 33-year-old Omae, it was his second marathon in a week. He was runner-up last Saturday at the Mississippi Blues Marathon in 2:21:12.

Running USA 2012 Hall of Champions Dinner and Auction Celebrates, Honors the Sport

Mammoth Track Club third Allan Steinfeld Development Award recipient; Joan Benoit Samuelson inducted into Hall of Champions

HOUSTON - (January 15, 2012) - At the Running USA Hall of Champions Dinner and Live Auction on Sunday evening at the Hyatt Regency Houston, distance running was celebrated and honored with the third Allan Steinfeld Development Award winner, one Hall of Champions inductee and a lively auction. The fun evening presented by Competitor Group was part of Running USA 2012: The Industry Conference, and the 9th edition with the theme "Passing the Torch: Running Toward the Future" opened to a record registration of more than 450 attendees in the Bayou City.

The Mammoth Track Club, based at altitude in Mammoth Lakes, Calif., was announced as the third Allan Steinfeld Development Award winner. The development award was named after Allan Steinfeld, a long-time leader in the sport, who jump-started the U.S. distance running resurgence when as head of the New York Road Runners he allocated $20,000 seed money ($1 per U.S. entry at the 2000 New York City Marathon) for the development program Team USA Distance Running. The team development program, launched in November 2000, produced training groups such as Team Running USA (two Olympic medals in 2004 and major marathon wins) and Team USA Minnesota (winner of the inaugural development award) and inspired the formation of others.

Ft. Steilacoom Running Club - Resolution Run Series - 5k , 5 mile run Jan 1, 2012

Sights and sounds from the Ft. Steilacoom Running Club - Resolution Run Series - 5k , 5 mile run video held on  Jan 1, 2012. See all the race day photos here:
http://www.backprint.com/view_event.asp?pid=bp%1EsFq&eventid=97160



Race Results:

RESOLUTION RUN SERIES - 5 MILES
Ft. Steilacoom High School   January 1, 2012 9:00 AM
Directed by: Pat & Raymond Kenworthy
PLACE O'All Name                      Age    TIME    PACE       SERIES
MALES-TOP 20 OVERALL  0 - 99
1     1 JOSEPH GRAY                27   25:14  5:03 S              
2     2 PHIL OLSON                 31   25:35  5:07                
3     3 JESSE STEVICK              29   26:46  5:22 S              
4     4 MICHAEL JORGENSEN          26   29:41  5:57 S              
5     5 MARK COOK                  38   30:55  6:11 S              
6     6 GARY COOPER                51   30:58  6:12 S              
7     7 KENN CLARK                 38   31:01  6:13                
8     8 MARK BRINKHAUS             40   31:08  6:14                
9     9 KENT SIZER                 57   31:23  6:17                
10    10 PETER STACKPOLE            43   31:25  6:17 S              
11    11 ANDY LYLE                  57   31:28  6:18                
12    12 JOE CARMAN                 31   31:35  6:19 S              
13    13 JORDAN AGTARAP             17   31:40  6:20  

View all results here!

Resolution Run for the Heroes

Sights and Sounds from the Resolution Run for the Heroes, Jan. 14, 2012 held in Gig Harbor WA







Look here for Race Day Photos!

Couch-to-5K Challenge !

 Whether you’re just getting started or are an experienced runner who needs a push, the Couch-to-5K Challenge makes working out simple, social, and fun. In just two months you’ll go from couch potato to running three miles (or 5K) on a regular basis.

FAST FACTS U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Women's Marathon

Houston, TX, Saturday, January 14, 2012

By: Ryan Lamppa, Running USA wire


Downtown 8 mile loop course - 3 laps with 2.2 mile loop before main course

Weather: sunny, clear
Temperature: 40F (start); 57F (finish)
Wind: WSW 9-12 mph

Qualifiers = 225
Declared = 188
Starters = 183
Finishers = 152

Prize purse = $250,000, which includes $20,000 bonus per runner for Olympic Marathon participation, with $50,000 for the Olympic Trials champion

FAST FACTS U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Men's Marathon

Houston, TX, Saturday, January 14, 2012

By: Ryan Lamppa, Running USA wire

Downtown 8 mile loop course - 3 laps with 2.2 mile loop before main course

Weather: sunny, clear
Temperature: 39F (start); 54F (finish)
Wind: WSW 9-12 mph

Qualifiers = 158
Declared = 113
Starters = 111
Finishers = 85

Prize purse = $250,000, which includes $20,000 bonus per runner for Olympic Marathon participation, with $50,000 for the Olympic Trials champion

Flanagan Shatters Olympic Marathon Trials Record in Houston

Davila, Goucher also make Olympic Marathon team in deepest women's Trials ever

By: Jim Gerweck, Running USA wire

HOUSTON - (January 14, 2012) - On a weekend when sports wagering spiked, if you bet the chalk at the women's Olympic Marathon Trials, you hit the trifecta.

Shalane Flanagan, Desiree Davila and Kara Goucher, the pre-race favorites on most pundits' form charts, came through as predicted, running the fastest times in the deepest race in the 28-year history of the event. Flanagan (left, PhotoRun), 30, who has been on two Olympic track squads, showed she's made the transition to marathoner a complete one, pulling away from Davila in the final miles to a 2 hour, 25 minute, 38 second Trials and USA Championship record win, and a PR by 3:02. Davila, 28, who came within two seconds of winning the Boston Marathon last April, made her first Olympic team, 17 seconds back. And Goucher, 33, relatively short on training after taking 2010 off to have a baby, won the war of attrition for the coveted third spot and made her second Olympic team in 2:26:06.

"It was really encouraging to win and set a big PR," Flanagan said afterward. "But there's more to come, more work to be done to put myself in contention for a medal in London."

Flanagan and Davila were the prohibitive pre-race favorites to make the team, while Goucher was more of an unknown quantity. "I've never been so nervous, never wanted anything so much," she said. "Ask Shalane, I've been a wreck."

Fortunately, the race played into her favor, going out at a pedestrian 6:11 first mile. "The longer it stayed like that, the happier I was," Goucher said.

Davila, lacking the track credentials of the two Oregon TC training mates, felt the opposite. "I knew my job was to keep that pace strong, not let it get too soft," she said. "I did the job I needed to do, although I think it cost me a little in the last miles. I had mixed feelings, wanting to make one last push to try to catch Shalane, but also aware that Kara was right there and wanting to protect the place I had."

Davila got help in whittling down the early lead pack, which numbered close to a dozen, from former Arizona State teammate Amy Hastings, who made several aggressive moves in the lead that shed several members of the pack, including Trials defending champ Deena Kastor, who wound up sixth in 2:30:40.

"I knew there were some amazing women up there," said Hastings, 27, a member of the same Mammoth Track Club training group as Kastor. Running only her second marathon, Hastings said, "I felt like I had to stir the waters and maybe if any of them dropped. I think I just ran out of fuel near the end. The last mile was kind of emotional, but it was a great experience that will help me in four years."

Davila made the same sort of mistakes in Boston four years ago, and that race served as the springboard to her ascension in the upper echelon of American women's marathoning. For her, the future looks bright.

But the present might be even more promising for the U.S. women's marathon team for London, with multiple Olympic and World Championships medals and Marathon Majors top placings among them. "This is an amazing squad," said Davila. "I'm glad to be a part of it."

For Kastor, a 2004 Olympic bronze medalist, it was bittersweet: "Houston created a great stage for the athletes to shine. I gave it my best today. I stayed engaged the entire 26.2 miles so I couldn't ask for more, it just wasn't enough today."

Linda Somers Smith, 50, set a U.S. 50-54 age group record in 2:37:36, good for 28th overall. Somers Smith has qualified for a record 7 Olympic Marathon Trials and in Houston, she finished her 5th Trials overall.

Overall, it was the first time that five women were under 2:30 at the Olympic Marathon Trials and the race produced the #1-4 and #8 all-time Olympic Trials performances and it was the deepest women's Trials ever with best times for place (#1-15). In addition, 35 women set personal records on the multi-loop course.

8th U.S. Women's Olympic Marathon Trials
Houston, TX, Saturday, January 14, 2012

1) Shalane Flanagan (OR), 2:25:38*, $54,000#
2) Desiree Davila (MI), 2:25:55, $43,000#
3) Kara Goucher (OR), 2:26:06, $32,000#
4) Amy Hastings (CA), 2:27:17, $21,000
5) Janet Cherobon-Bawcom (GA), 2:29:45, $15,500
6) Deena Kastor (CA), 2:30:40, $10,000
7) Clara Grandt (WV), 2:30:46, $8000
8) Alissa McKaig (NC), 2:31:56, $7000
9) Dot McMahan (MI), 2:32:16, $6000
10) Magdalena Lewy Boulet (CA), 2:33:42, $4000
*Olympic Trials, USA Championship, U.S. Women-Only and personal records (previous records, 2:28:25, Colleen De Reuck, 2004; 2:25:53, Kara Goucher, 2008; 2:26:26, Julie Brown, 1983 and 2:28:40, 2010).
#includes USATF prize money; plus $20,000 bonus for Olympic Marathon participation

For full results and more, go to: www.hmcpresscenter.com

 this article Courtesy of Running USA wire

Keflezighi Captures Olympic Marathon Trials Title

By: Steve Nearman, Running USA wire

Fellow Olympians Hall, Abdirahman also earn berths to London Olympics; deepest men's Trials ever

HOUSTON - (January 14, 2012) - All eyes were on America's fastest marathoner Ryan Hall at today's 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Marathon, but it was Hall's former Mammoth Lakes training partner Meb Keflezighi who stole the show.

Keflezighi bided his time until the 24 mile mark along Allen Parkway in Sam Houston Park, slowly pulling away from Abdi Abdirahman then Hall and hung on in the final miles for the victory in a personal

Portland Marathon's Event Director's College to Host Program in Charleston, South Carolina

Registration now open for March 28-29 event; spaces limited; this special College is part of the 35th Cooper River Bridge Run

PORTLAND, Ore. - (January 6, 2012) - The Portland Marathon Event Director's College will present a two-day conference for event directors, event committee members and others in the running and walking industry as part of the 35th Cooper River Bridge Run in Charleston, South Carolina on March 28-29, 2012.

ING New York City Marathon Returns to Live National TV in 2012

Part of five-year deal with ESPN / WABC-TV; ESPN2 to televise live race coverage beginning at 9:00am ET; Marathon-day coverage to include live five-hour local show on WABC-TV and two-hour national highlight show on ABC

NEW YORK - (January 9, 2012) - The ING New York City Marathon will be shown on live national television in 2012 for the first time in almost 20 years as the cornerstone of a new comprehensive year-round national and local five-year television package jointly announced by WABC-TV / ESPN and NYRR officials. The Marathon will be televised live nationally on ESPN2 and available through WatchESPN from 9:00am to 12:30pm ET/6:00 to 9:30am PT, and in New York on WABC-TV and 7online.com from 9:00am to 2:00pm. That same afternoon, ABC will broadcast nationally a two-hour Marathon highlight show. The agreement begins with this year's event on Sunday, November 4.

More than 300 Set to Run in 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Marathon on Saturday

In Houston, $500,000 at stake as men, women compete for first time at same venue; same day NBC 2-hour broadcast

HOUSTON - (January 10, 2012) - On Saturday, January 14, more than 300 of America's top distance runners will take to the streets of Houston in an historic edition of the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials. For the first time, the men's and women's teams will be selected on the same day and on the same course.

Olympia’s Karen Steen Share’s Recipe For Running Success: Eat, Drink, Sleep, Run, Repeat

By: Anne Larsen 

We are sitting at Fishtail Brewery sharing a pitcher of IPA. I am sitting across from a friend, a running partner, an ad hoc therapist, and always an inspiration. The first time I “ran” with Karen Steen I had a 3 month old at home and was hitting the.....read more here!

(source: http://www.thurstontalk.com)

Costa, High Win 19th Walt Disney World Marathon

Brazilian runner wins second straight Disney Marathon after fierce battle with perennial winner Adriano Bastos; Virginia Beach's Renee High easily takes women's title; field of more than 16,500 pushes weekend total to event record 56,000 runners

By: Bob Hitchcock, runDisney

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - (January 8, 2012) - Brazilian runner Fredison Costa did it again, holding off his heavily-favored countryman Adriano Bastos on Sunday to win his second straight Walt Disney World Marathon.

At the 19th edition, Costa, 34, waged a fierce battle with the 7-time champion Bastos, 33, throughout the 26.2 mile race through Disney's four theme parks - Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios - before pulling away at the end. Costa (left, credit: Matt Stroshane)crossed the finish line in 2 hours, 19 minutes, 1 second - just 14 seconds ahead of Bastos (2:19:15), who had won six Disney Marathons in a row before Costa's back-to-back feat.