| April 2003 Newsletter |
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Updates
Attention race directors: Beginning in 2003, the USATF
Road Running Information Center (RRIC) will require complete results
(certified courses) to be submitted in an electronic form (email,
diskette or CD) for performances to be included in the state, city,
junior, open and masters road rankings. Please do it, folks.
In a related item, all of Lorrie Marnell's persistence
and patience paid off. When an American or world record is run on a USATF
distance-certified course, a USATF official travels to that site to
remeasure the course. Margret Betz set a pending F65-69 AR in 2002 in
our 5-miler of the Ithaca 5 & 10 (also in the 10 miler in 2003). Last
year, the bridge on Cayuga Street on the course was out. But the official
insisted on coming here, and remeasuring that course come hell or high
water. Lorrie had to go along for the ride. Good news: Our course was
accepted! Margaret officially has the F65-69 American record of 35:00 on
the books. Also ratified, Margret's 5K (21:16) at the Syracuse Festival
of Races, and 20K (1:36:08) at the Vestal XX.
John Geesler, a familiar face at our trail runs now and then, has received All-American honors from the American Ultra Runners Association for his 2002 achievements. Honors are handed out by gold, silver and bronze designations, and Geesler is a silver honoree.
Criteria include performance at top-level USA ultra championships, and exceptional performances exhibited in a single race or a range of performances.
Geesler, 43, of St. Johnsville, NY became the first American male to win the USA 24-Hour Title three times. In 2002, he won the title for the 3rd time at the Olander Park (Ohio) 24-hour Championship. He also placed 2nd and 3rd respectively at the Vermont 100 and Massanutten 100 (that's miles) trail events. In December, Geesler moved up to the 2-day event, and ran 231 miles to win the Ultra Centric 48-Hour event in Texas. He notched a year-leading 24 hour distance of 148 miles enroute to the 48 hour victory. Congrats!
Go to www.americanultra.org for all the
winners and profiles.
A plug for one of my favorite races: the Freihofer's Run for Women 5K Open and Masters National Championship. The date is May 31 in downtown Albany. Our nation's best line up with rookies -- 3,500 strong. It's the 25th anniversary edition this year, so expect special surprises. I hear Coreen Steinbach has been commissioned to create a commemorative poster which will be given to all entrants.
Prize money; team and individual awards. Go to
www.freihofersrun.com to register online. Do it by the end of April, and
the fee is $20.
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