|
Kastor headlines impressive women's field at Boston Marathon
Olympic medalist Deena Kastor will face some of the world's finest women's marathoners at the 111th running of the Boston Marathon on April 16. John Hancock Financial Services made the announcement on Tuesday.
Kastor will enter the race having run the fastest marathon in the world last year. She earned the worlds' #1 ranking by Track & Field News for her superb 2:19:36 win in London, where she also improved her existing American record.
Best known for her bronze medal performance at the 2004 Athens Olympic Marathon, Kastor is a former world record holder in the 5 km, a two-time silver medalist at the World Cross Country Championships and the 2005 Chicago Marathon champion. She is a multiple American record holder on the roads and track, has won 18 national titles, and is an eight-time NCAA All-American.
"Five and a half years after my first marathon, I am finally running Boston," says Kastor. "Tradition, sponsors and fans make this the greatest and most well respected marathon in the world. It is an honor to be a part of Boston this year and it is my greatest desire to win this prestigious event."
Kastor, who lives in California but has roots in the Boston area, added "I am hoping the crowds will be especially loud as I pass the Newton-Wellesley Hospital as that is where I was born 34 years ago."
Along with signing Kastor, John Hancock announced they have also secured 2006 Boston Champion Rita Jeptoo of Kenya to return and defend her title, along with Jelena Prokopcuka, of Latvia, who is a three-time Olympian, the reigning leader of the World Marathon Majors and the winner of the last two New York City Marathons.
Track & Field News ranked Kastor the #1 runner in the world last year and gave Prokopcuka the #2 ranking and Jeptoo ended the season ranked #3. These three top athletes will join the complete John Hancock elite team, which will be announced in March.
For more information on the 2007 Boston Marathon, visit: www.bostonmarathon.org.
USA Race Walking Grand Prix begins Sunday
The 2007 USA Race Waling Grand Prix will begin on Sunday with the USA 50 km Championships in Chula Vista, Calif.
The Grand Prix will consist of 11 races in the Open division, of which eight will include team scoring. Race distances will range from one mile to 50 km and include both road and track events. New for 2007 is the Junior division for athletes under 20 years of age. The Junior Grand Prix will consist of nine events on the road and track from 5,000 meters to 20 km.
For the first time the prestigious Penn Relays, which has served as a springboard for many race walkers through the years, will be a part of the circuit. The Grand Prix will feature more than $50,000 in total prize money, which is an increase over last year's purse of $43,000.
America's finest men's race walkers are scheduled to compete Sunday at the USA 50 km Championships in Chula Vista. The impressive field includes three-time Olympian and six-time U.S. 50 km champion Curt Clausen, who captured the bronze medal at the 1999 World Outdoor Championships in Seville, Spain. Two-time Olympian Philip Dunn is in the mix after winning his second U.S. 50 km title last year following his initial victory in 2001. Two-time 20 km Olympian Tim Seaman will look for his first national title at the 50 km distance, and Ray Sharp looks to improve on his runner-up finish from last year's championship in Clermont, Florida.
For more information on the 2007 USA Race Waling Grand Prix and the USA 50 km Championships, visit: USATF.org.
Longtime track and road race enthusiast Linnerud dies
Known for his many years of service to the North Carolina road racing community, A.C. Linnerud of Raleigh died Friday, January 19. He was 75.
Linnerud, who measured innumerable road race courses, timed thousands of road races and worked the finish line at numerous major track meets over the past four decades, was recognized by many as one of the sports leading volunteers and contributors.
Born on a dairy farm in Whitehall, Wis., on April 9, 1931, Linnerud graduated from high school in Whitehall prior to receiving his B.S. degree from the University of Wisconsin of River Falls. He was drafted into the Army and served his country from 1953 to 1955. He attended graduate school at the University of Minnesota, where he received his M.S. and PhD in dairy husbandry in 1964 before moving to Raleigh in August of that year. He received his post doctorate in statistics at North Carolina State University, where he served on the faculty in the statistics department, retiring in 1993.
Linnerud is survived by his wife Palma, whom he married on September 16, 1956.
Memorials may be made to the Holy Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church Building Fund, 2723 Clark Ave., Raleigh, NC 27607-7199.
Comment on this story.
Subscribe to the Runner's Web Weekly Digest
|
Know someone else who's interested in running and triathlon?
