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Here's a round-up of the news which has crossed my desk on various running events:
FREIHOFER'S RUN FOR WOMEN, Albany, N.Y., Saturday, May 31: JOHNSON RETURNS TO DEFEND TITLE.
Multiple national record holder Benita Johnson of Australia plans to defend her title at this year's race, organizers reported on Tuesday. "We are delighted to welcome Benita back to Albany this year," said Freihofer's Run for Women event director George Regan, noting that the Freihofer's Run for Women will be Johnson's only race in the U.S. prior to the Olympic Games in Beijing this August. "Benita is among the finest female distance runners in the world today and, both on and off the roads, she has shown herself to be a true champion." Johnson is already a two-time Freihofer's champion, winning in heavy rain in 2006 before defending her title last year against course record holder, Asmae Leghzaoui. The race winner will receive $10,000.
BANK OF AMERICA CHICAGO MARATHON, Chicago, Ill., Sunday, October 12: REGISTRATION CLOSES.
Bank of America announced yesterday that this race had already sold out, accepting the race limit of 45,000 runners. “It is encouraging and rewarding to see the intense commitment from running enthusiasts across the globe registering for this race more than six months in advance,” said Bank of America Illinois Market president David Rudis. “We are proud to match their enthusiasm by continuing the tradition of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, clearly one of the greatest running events in the world.” The race is the second largest marathon in the USA behind the ING New York City Marathon and it will celebrate its 31st running this year.
UKROP'S MONUMENT AVENUE 10-K, Richmond, Va., Saturday, April 5: SPORTS BACKERS RECOGNIZED
The city of Richmond sports commission, called Sports Backers, was recognized by the National Association of Sports Commissions at the NASC Sports Event Symposium in Omaha, Ne., earlier this week. The Sports Backers organize the Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10-K, the fourth-largest and fastest growing 10-K road race in the United States. The Sports Backers won the nationally competitive awards for Best Locally Created Event for the James River Adventure Games, Best Website for Sportsbackers.org and Best Marketing Publication for its quarterly magazine, SBQ. "The Sports Backers clearly demonstrated to each independent judging panel the quality and excellence of the work they perform in their community and we congratulate them on their accomplishments," said Kathy Siford, NASC Awards Committee Chair.
MEDTRONIC TWIN CITIES MARATHON, Minneapolis, Minn., Sunday, October 5: RACE 50% FULL
This race has sold 50% of its available entries in just the first four days, organizers announced last Monday. Race capacity is 11,000, an increase of 500 from last year’s marathon. “Online-only registration has been very successful this year,” said Virginia Brophy Achman, the Twin Cities Marathon executive director. Organizers call the event The Most Beautiful Urban Marathon in America®.
LILAC BLOOMSDAY RUN, Spokane, Wash., Sunday, May 4: VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
One of the nation's largest races (40,323 finishers in 2007) needs more volunteers. “The success of Bloomsday is totally dependent on the support of nearly 5,000 volunteers,” said Bloomsday race director Don Kardong. “Most of our volunteer positions don’t require much, if any, prior experience, but it’s crucial that we fill all open positions to make sure things
proceed smoothly before, during and after the run.” Prospective volunteers should log on to BloomsdayRun.org.
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